THE first phase of three-tier Panchayat elections was held peacefully through ballot papers at 9,873 polling stations in 53 blocks of 33 districts in the State on Monday. Speaking to ‘The Hitavada’ over telephone, State Election Commissioner Ajay Singh said that under the first phase, the three-tier Panchayat elections were held peacefully in 53 blocks of the State. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the State. Voting continued even after 3 pm, he added. Tension prevailed at Dhotimtola village under Daundi block of Balod district. There was resentment among the villagers regarding the establishment of the Panchayat building in another village. Angry villagers tried to stop the polling team from entering the polling booth. In this case, the police have registered an FIR against more than ten villagers, informed the officials. Polling was held from 7 am to 3 pm, while in Bastar division, voting took place from 6.45 am to 2 pm.

 

These elections were held for the posts of Panchs, Sarpanchs, Janpad Panchayat members and Zila Panchayat members. According to the State Election Commission, counting of votes started at the polling stations immediately after polling was over. 75.86 per cent including 75.52 per cent male voters, 76.10 per cent female voters and 7.89 per cent third gender voters turnout was recorded in the three-tier Panchayat elections under the first phase. Under the first phase, 60,203 candidates were in the fray for the posts of Panch, 14,646 candidates for the posts of Sarpanch, 4,587 candidates for the post of Janpad Panchayat member and 702 candidates for the post of Zila Panchayat member in the elections. Under the first phase, the elections were conducted for the posts of 27,210 Panchs, 3,605 Sarpanchs, 911 Janpad Panchayat members and 149 Zila Panchayat members.

 

Under the first phase, polling was held in Masturi block of Bilaspur, Gaurela block of Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district, Mungeli block of Mungeli district, Bamhnidih and Akaltara blocks of Janjgir-Champa district, Jaijaipur block of Sakti district, Korba and Kartala blocks of Korba district, Raigarh and Pusaur blocks of Raigarh district, Barmkela block of Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, Surajpur and Bhaiyathan blocks of Surajpur district, Kusmi, Rajpur and Shakargarh blocks of Balrampur district, Ambikapur, Lakhanpur and Udaypur blocks of Surguja district, Sonhat block of Koriya district, Khadgawan block of Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district and Bagicha block of Jashpur district, Arang and Abhanpur blocks of Raipur district, Bhatapara and Simga blocks of Balodabazar district, Gariaband and Mainpur blocks of Gariaband district, Basna and Saraipali blocks of Mahasamund district, Dhamtari and Magarlod blocks of Dhamtari district, Bemetara and Navagarh blocks of Bemetara district, Durg block of Durg district, Dondilohara and Dondi blocks of Balod district, Rajnandgaon block of Rajnandgaon district, Chhuikhadan block of Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district, Manpur block of Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district, Kawardha and Sahaspur Lohara of Kabirdham district, Kondagaon block of Kondagaon district, Jagdalpur and Darbha blocks of Bastar district, Narayanpur block of Narayanpur district, Kanker, Charama and Narahpur blocks of Kanker district, Dantewada and Geedam blocks of Dantewada district and Sukma block of Sukma district and Bijapur block of Bijapur district today.

 

Under the second phase, the three-tier Panchayat elections will be held in 43 blocks on February 20 while under the third phase, three-tier Panchayat elections will be held in 50 blocks of the State on February 23. Tabulation and election results for the posts of Panch, Sarpanch and Janpad Panchayat Members will be announced at the block level on February 19 for the first phase, on February 22 for the second phase and on February 25 for the third phase. Similarly, tabulation and results of the Zila Panchayat members will be held at the district headquarters on February 20 for the first phase, on February 23 for the second phase and on February 25 for the third phase. According to official sources, a total of 80,357 candidates are in the fray for the post of Panch, 10,712 candidates for Sarpanch, 2,833 candidates for Janpad Panchayat members, and 415 candidates for Zila Panchayat members. Earlier, a total of 71,917 candidates for the post of Panch were elected unopposed, along with 432 candidates for Sarpanch, 40 candidates for Janpad Panchayat member, and one candidate for Zila Panchayat member.