Over 71 per cent voters’ turnout was recorded in 20 legislative assembly constituencies of Chhattisgarh in the first phase of polling on Tuesday. Highest 79.10 per cent voters’ turnout was recorded in Bhanupratappur legislative assembly constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) while lowest 40.98 per cent voting was recorded in Bijapur legislative assembly constituency. Speaking to The Hitavada over telephone, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Chhattisgarh Reena Baba Saheb Kangale said that first phase of assembly polls were conducted peacefully in 20 legislative assembly constituencies of State barring few minor incidents in Bastar region. At least one security personnel was injured in Bastar region. A trooper belonging to the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), who sustained injuries as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Sukma district, was airlifted from Bastar to Raipur for treatment, she added. As per the information from the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Chhattisgarh, 71.06 per cent voting was recorded in Pandariya legislative assembly, 72.89 per cent in Kawardha, 76.31 per cent in Khairagarh, 77.40 per cent in Dongargarh, 74 per cent in Rajnandgaon, 76.80 per cent in Dongargaon, 72.01 per cent in Khujji, 76 per cent in Mohla Manpur, 70.72 per cent in Antagarh, 79.10 per cent in Bhanupratappur, 76.13 per cent in Kanker, 74.49 per cent in Keshkal, 76.29 per cent in Kondagaon, 63.88 per cent in Narayanpur, 71.39 per cent in Bastar, 75 per cent in Jagdalpur, 70.36 per cent in Chitrakot, 62.55 per cent in Dantewada, 40.98 in Bijapur and 50.12 per cent in Konta legislative assembly constituencies. Voters turned up in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the festival of democracy in 20 legislative assembly constituencies of Chhattisgarh.

 

Advance planning and extensive monitoring by the Commission comprising Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along and Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel ensured free, fair and largely peaceful conduct of elections in Chhattisgarh. Residents of 126 villages in Chhattisgarh's Bastar division celebrated a significant milestone as polling stations were established in their villages for the very first time since India's independence. These villages, located in 7 Left Wing Extremist (LWE) affected districts, have overcome the hardships they previously faced to exercise their voting rights. Gone are the days of arduous treks through dense forests, hills, and rivers, along with the threats posed by LWE, as the new polling stations have brought voting within a 2 Km radius of every eligible voter, in line with the Election Commission of India (ECI) norms. This development serves as a testament to the triumph of ‘Ballot over Bullet’ in the ongoing elections.

 

Among the 126 booths, 15 were set up in Kanker assembly constituency, 12 in Antagarh, 5 in Bhanupratapur, 20 in Konta, 14 in Chitrakot, 4 in Jagdalpur, 1 in Bastar, 13 in Kondagaon, 19 in Keshkal, 9 in Narayanpur, 8 in Dantewada, and 6 in Bijapur Assembly Constituency. In a remarkable initiative in Kanker, Chhattisgarh, a Rainbow Model Polling Station was established in the Pakhanjur area, predominantly inhabited by voters from the third gender category. This station not only featured third-gender security personnel but also aimed to eliminate stigma surrounding third-gender voters, reaffirming the ECI's commitment to inclusivity and participation in elections. Moreover, these polling stations prioritized the comfort and confidence of women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), in accordance with the ECI's vision of ensuring a pleasant voting experience. Facilities such as ramps, drinking water, toilets, sheds, volunteers, and wheelchairs were made available at all polling stations. Chhattisgarh also witnessed the creation of eco-friendly and tribal-themed polling stations to celebrate the state's rich culture.

 

Home voting facilities were introduced for the first time in the Assembly elections for senior citizens over the age of 80 years and PwD voters with a 40% benchmark disability. Encouragingly, many of them still chose to visit the polling stations to cast their votes. This phase of the Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh recorded 40,78,680 registered voters, with 5,304 polling stations set up to streamline the voting process. A total of 223 candidates, including 198 male candidates and 25 female candidates, are competing in 20 legislative assembly constituencies during the first phase of the assembly polls.