Counting of votes began on Monday for bypolls in three Indian states—Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar—with results expected to be closely watched for their political significance ahead of future elections. The bypolls are unlikely to affect the strength of the BJP governments in the three states, but the outcomes are seen as important indicators. In Gujarat's Manjalpur constituency, voting had taken place on July 30, recording a voter turnout of 37.5%. The election was necessitated by the death of senior BJP MLA and former Gujarat Minister Yogesh Patel on June 2 following a prolonged illness. In Madhya Pradesh's Datia constituency, counting is underway under tight security. The bypoll was required after a Delhi court in April this year sentenced Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti to three years in prison in a cheating case, leading to the termination of his Assembly membership. The Bankipur constituency in Bihar is also among the seats where counting is taking place.