The Model Code of Conduct has come into effect across the State. The elections are scheduled to be held in two phases on November 7 and 17. Speaking to the media on Monday, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Chhattisgarh, Reena Babasaheb Kangale said that the Model Code of Conduct has come in the State following the announcement of the Assembly elections. In the first phase of elections, which will take place on November 7, a total of 5,303 polling stations across 20 Assembly seats (assembly numbers 71 to 90) will be operational. The notification for the first phase assembly election is set to be issued on October 13, with the nomination deadline on October 20. The scrutiny of nominations will occur on October 21, and the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures is October 23. The first phase will see elections in constituencies including Pandariya, Kawardha, Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Chitrakot, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Konta.

 

Moving on to the second phase, slated for November 17, elections will be conducted at a staggering 18,806 polling stations spanning 70 Assembly seats (assembly numbers 1 to 70). The second phase will encompass areas such as Bharatpur-Donhat, Manendragarh, Baikunthpur, Premnagar, Bhatgaon, Pratappur, Ramanujganj, Samri, Lundra, Ambikapur, and many more. The gazette notification for the second phase will be issued on October 21, with the nomination deadline set for October 30. Scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for October 31, and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is November 2. The counting of votes will take place on December 3.

 

Chhattisgarh boasts a total of 2,03,60,240 voters, including 1,01,20,830 men, 102,39,410 women, and 790 individuals identified as third gender. To ensure a transparent electoral process, there will be 10 Sangwari polling stations in every Legislative Assembly, along with 5 Adarsh polling stations in every assembly constituency. In total, 900 Sangwari polling stations and 450 Adarsh polling stations will be established throughout the State. Candidates with criminal backgrounds are required to publish information about their antecedents in newspapers and through television channels on three occasions during the campaign period. Additionally, political parties fielding candidates with criminal histories must disclose this information on their websites and in newspapers and television channels on three occasions, as mandated by the CEO. Over 1,600 Flying Squads and Static Surveillance teams have been constituted for free and fair elections. Live webcasting will be conducted at 50 per cent of polling stations on the polling day to enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process.