3rd phase of Panchayat polls held peacefully

 

 

 

 

Feb 23 The third phase of the three-tier Panchayat elections was conducted peacefully on Sunday across 11,430 polling stations in 50 blocks of the state, recording an approximate voter turnout of over 77 per cent by the end of polling. Average 77.54 per cent voter turnout including 77.21 per cent male voter turnout, 77.93 per cent female voter turnout and 3.95 per cent third gender voter turnout was recorded in the third phase of the three-tier Panchayat elections. Speaking to ‘The Hitavada’ over telephone, State Election Commissioner Ajay Singh stated that polling was conducted peacefully across 11,430 polling stations in 50 blocks of the state, with no reports of any untoward incidents.

 

The elections were held using ballot papers, with different colours assigned for various posts: pink for Zila Panchayat members, yellow for Janpad Panchayat members, blue for Sarpanchs, and white for Panchs. The tabulation and announcement of results for Panch, Sarpanch, Janpad Panchayat members, and Zila Panchayat members will take place at the block level on February 25 for the third phase. Polling was scheduled from 7 AM to 3 PM, while in the Bastar division, voting took place from 6:45 AM to 2 PM. However, voters were seen at several polling stations even after the scheduled closing time. Vote counting commenced immediately after polling at the respective polling stations. Under the third phase, the elections were held for the posts of 30,990 Panchs, 3,802 Sarpanchs, 1,122 Janpad Panchayat Members and 145 Zila Panchayat Members. 76,199 candidates were in the fray for the posts of Panch, 17,191 candidates for the posts of Sarpanch, 4,659 candidates for the posts of Janpad Panchayat Member and 839 candidates for the posts of Zila Panchayat Member. Polling was conducted in Kota and Takhatpur blocks of Bilaspur district, Marwahi block of Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district, Pathariya block of Mungeli district, Balouda and Pamgarh blocks of Janjgir-Champa district, Sakti block of Sakti district, Katghora and Pali blocks of Korba district, Tamnar, Lailunga and Gharghoda blocks of Raigarh district, Sargarh block of Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, Odgi and Pratappur blocks of Surajpur district, Wadrafnagar and Ramchandrapur blocks of Balrampur, Lundra and Batauli blocks of Surguja district, Baikunthpur block of Korea district, Bharatpur block of Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district, Farsabahar, Kansabel and Patthalgaon blocks of Jashpur district, Balaudabazar and Palari blocks of Balaudabazar district, Fingeshwar and Devbhog blocks of Gariaband district, Mahasamund block of Mahasamund district, Nagri block of Dhamtari district, Berla and Saja blocks of Bemetara district, Dhamdha block of Durg district, Gurur and Gundardehi blocks of Balod district, Dongargarh and Dongargaon blocks of Rajnandgaon district, Ambagarh-Chowki block of Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district, Keshkal and Baderajpur blocks of Kondgaon district, Bartanar, Bakawand and Tokapal blocks of Bastar district, Orchha block of Narayanpur district, Antagarh and Koyalibedi blocks of Kanker district, Kuakonda block of Dantewada district, Konta block of Sukma district and Bhairamgarh block of Bijapur district.