Chhattisgarh Elections-2023: Fortunes of 223 nominees sealed in EVMs, 71 pc voting recorded in first phase

Raipur: An estimated 71 percent turnout was recorded in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday during the largely-peaceful maiden phase of Assembly poll, covering 20 constituencies, including ten in areas severely affected by Left-wing extremism.

A CRPF officer was injured when an IED exploded within the restive Sukma district of Bastar division. 

Officials said an officer from the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was injured in the incident.

 

Exchange of fire between Maoists and security forces

 

In another incident there was an exchange of fire between Maoists and security forces in Kanker district. Forces believe Maoists have been injured or killed in the incident. 

 

Amid heavy security bandobast, voting concluded at 1500 hrs in the 10 Naxalism-hit zones and at 1700 hrs in the remaining ten constituencies. The state has a 90-member Assembly.

Official sources provided the polling break-up as Kanker 75.51 percent, Bastar 72.41, Bijapur 40.98, Mohla-Manpur 76, Sukma 50.12, Kondagaon 75.35, Dantewada 62.55, Narayanpur 63.88, Rajnandgaon 75.10, Kabirdham 72 and Khairagarh 76.31 percent. Final figures are likely to be higher as queues were observed on some premises even after expiration of the deadline.


The fortunes of 223 nominees, including 25 females, were sealed in EVMs by members of a 40,78,681-strong electorate that includes 20,84,675 women.

Prominent among the contestants are erstwhile chief minister Raman Singh – from Rajnandgaon – Ministers Mohammad Akbar, Kawasi Lakhma and Mohan Markam.

The ruling Congress and the principal-opposition BJP are in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation in all 20 constituencies, 19 of which are held by the Congress.

93-year-old votes for first time

 

Living up to the sentiment that age is just a number and it’s never too late to try something new, a 93-year-old exercised his franchise for the first time on Tuesday in Chhattisgarh’s Bhanupratappur Assembly constituency thanks to the government’s endeavours to enhance awareness.