Raipur: About 15 per cent of the electorate cast their votes in the first hours of polling for the second and final phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections in 72 constituencies spread across 19 districts of the state on Tuesday. Election Commission official said, the polling in 72 constituencies of 19 districts began from 8am and so far 15 per cent turnout has been recorded
A total of 843 candidates are contesting in the last of the two-phase polls to the 90-member assembly in the state, where BJP government led by chief minister Raman Singh is eyeing for a hat-trick against the Congress. The official said, over one lakh security force personnel have been deployed across the state to ensure peaceful polling.
Polling is under way in central and north Chhattisgarh, where 72 each from the BJP and Congress, are contesting. Security forces have been directed to stay alert in some districts of Sarguja and Raipur division located on inter-state border, where frequent movement of Naxals had been witnessed. According to police, Naxals may create trouble in Mahasamund, Gariyaband and Dhamtari of Raipur division bordering Odisha and Jashpur, Raigarh and Ambikapur in north Chhattisgarh during the polling process.
In 11 constituencies- Kota, Lormi, Takhatpur, Beltara, Chandrapur, Kasdol, Raipur city south, Durg city, Bhilai Nagar, Vaishali Nagar, Bemetara more than one ballot unit will be used. Three ballot units will be placed only in Raipur city south. Around 80,000 officials have been involved for conducting the poll on Tuesday A record 75.53 per cent voting was registered in the first phase of polling held on Nov 11 for 18 constituencies of Naxal affected Bastar division and Rajnandgaon district.
Bureau Report
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