VOTER turnout of over 63.78 per cent was recorded in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency of Chhattisgarh on Friday. Barring a few stray incidents polling was held almost peaceful in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency where elabiorate security arrangements were made. Minor incidents were also reported on the polling day from some places of Bastar Lok Sabha seat. One CRPF jawan was killed in IED blast in Bijapur district while one jawan was injured in Bijapur. Voting was held at 1961 polling stations in Bastar Lok Sabha seat. As per information received from the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Chhattisgarh, 63.78 per cent voting was recorded in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency. Around 65.04 per cent polling was recorded in Jagdalpur assembly constituency, 72.81 per cent in Bastar assembly constituency, 42.62 per cent in Bijapur assembly constituency, 73.45 per cent in Chitrakote assembly constituency, 72.01 per cent in Kondagaon, 54.31 per cent in Konta assembly constituency, 62.28 per cent in Narayanpur assembly constituency and 67.02 per cent in Dantewada assembly constituency. Voting was held from 7 am to 3 pm at Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Jagdalpur (total 72 polling stations), Chitrakote, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta assembly constituencies. Voting was held at Bastar and Jagdalpur (remaining 175 polling stations) assembly constituencies from 7 am to 5 pm.

 

Eleven candidates were in the fray for the Bastar Lok Sabha seat, in which there are three candidates from recognized political parties, six candidates from registered political parties (un-recognized) and two independent candidates. Kawasi Lakhma from the Indian National Congress, Maheshram Kashyap from the BJP, Narendra Burka from the Hamar Raj Party, Kawalsingh Baghel from the Rashtriya Jansabha Party, Aayaturam Mandavi from the Bahujan Samaj Party, Phulsingh Kachlam from the CPI, Shivram Nag from the Sarv Aadi Dal, Sundar Baghel as an independent candidate, Teekam Nagvanshi from the Gondwana Gantantra Party, Jagdish Prasad Nag from the Azad Janata Party, and Prakash Kumar Gota from the Swatantra Dal are in the fray from Bastar Lok Sabha seat. The main contest for the Bastar Lok Sabha seat was between Kawasi Lakhma representing the Indian National Congress and Maheshram Kashyap from the BJP.

 

In Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, 7844 polling personnel were deployed across 1961 polling stations, with an additional 2020 personnel held in reserve.In Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, 61 polling stations were categorized as vulnerable and 196 as critical, where CAPF personnel are stationed, along with arrangements for webcasting, videography, and micro-observation. Furthermore, 307 sector officers were deployed to provide updates on the polling percentage to the Returning Officer every two hours. BLOs were present at the Voters Assistance Booth in every polling station with the alphabetical voter list and will help the voters to find their name and serial number. Web casting facility was at 811 polling centres out of 1,961 polling stations where the Election Commission of India kept a close watch