POLLING IS ON IN CHATTISGARH!

RAIPUR, Nov. 7, 2023 (TBINN)

Voting began today morning for the first phase of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh under a thick security-blanket of police and para-military, keeping a tight vigil in the seats of Naxalite-hit Bastar Division.

Polling began at 7 A.M. in 10 of the 20 Assembly constituencies where elections are being held in the first phase. It will end at 3 P.M.

Polling in the remaining 10 seats in the first phase will start at 8 A.M. and end at 5 P.M., an official said.

In the first phase covering 20 of the total 90 Assembly seats, 223 candidates, including 25 women, are in the fray and as per electoral rolls, 40,78,681 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.

Ruling Congress and the Opposition Bhartiya Janta Party are the main contenders for power in the state.

Women voters outnumber men in seats covered under the first phase of polling. As many as 20,84,675 female voters are on the rolls while the number of male voters is 19,93,937. There are 69 third gender voters as well.

As many as 5,304 election booths have been set up for the first phase and 25,249 polling personnel have been deployed.

Polling in nine constituencies of the Naxalite-hit Bastar Division and another Maoist-affected constituency Mohla-Manpur (in adjoining Durg Division) began at 7 A.M. and will conclude at 3 P.M. In other 10 constituencies, polling will start at 8 A.M. and end at 5 P.M., official cleared.

Polling in these 10 constituencies of Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta, is being held from 7 A.M. to 3 P.M. due to the Naxalite Threat.