CHANDIGARH : It’s the day every political party in Punjab has been waiting with bated breath.

Counting of votes for the fiercely fought assembly elections will start at 8 am on Saturday with trends expected to be available by 11am.

The fate of the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine, which has been ruling Punjab since 2007 and is taking a third shot at power; the Congress – which has been unlucky in 2007 and 2012 and is in a do-or-die situation; and the Aam Aadmi Party, a relatively new entrant in Punjab’s political space but has made deep inroads, should be clear by noon.

“Over 14,000 officials will be involved in counting at 54 centres at 27 locations,” Punjab chief electoral officer VK Singh said. Punjab had recorded a high voter turnout of 77.4 % in the February 4 election.

The result of the by-election to the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat will also be out on Saturday.

While Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh will camp in Chandigarh, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal have opted to stay at their Badal village to watch the poll results.

And if AAP storms to power, the party supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will come to Chandigarh.