Counting of votes for the by-elections to two assembly constituencies in Nagaland began as per schedule at 8 am on Tuesday amidst tight security, election officials said.

All COVID-19 regulations are being followed for the counting, they said.

The by-elections were held in Southern Angami-I and Pungro-Khipre seats on November 3 after the death of sitting legislators Vikho-o Yhoshu and T Torechu respectively.

A three-tier security arrangement has been put in place at the two counting centres, the officials said.

Central forces and state police have been deployed to thwart any untoward incident, they added.