Panaji, Mar 6 (IANS): Counting of votes for Goa's 40-member assembly began at two counting centres at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Joint Chief Electoral Officer N.S. Navti said counting in Panaji and Margao would be completed within two hours and the results could possibly be announced before 11 a.m.

The official said that a workforce of nearly 1,000 personnel were engaged in the counting exercise.

"Both counting centres are being manned by an adequate force of security personnel to ensure that nothing untoward happens," Navti said.

The immediate political future of Goa is logged in over 1,600 electronic voting machines (EVMs). Goa polled a record 82.8 percent votes March 3, a record for the state.

A total of 215 candidates, including nine women and 74 independents, are contesting for 23 seats in north Goa and 17 in south Goa district.

The main contest is between the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party combine.

The Trinamool Congress, a new entrant, fielded 20 candidates.

Other parties like Samajwadi Party, Samajwadi Janata Party, Republican Party of India and Janata Dal-Secular also contested along with the Goa Vikas Party and the United Goan Democratic party (UGDP).

Besides, the civil society came together under the banner of the Zagrut Goenkarancho Ekvott (ZGE) and fielded 10 candidates.