Election Voting 2023: 71% Turnout In Chhattisgarh Amid Violence In Sukma, 78% Electorate Votes In Mizoram

Election Voting 2023: The first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections witnessed nearly 71% voter turnout recorded while in Mizoram, nearly 78% of eligible voters came out to exercise their franchise.

The first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections recorded a provisional high voter turnout of 71.48% in 20 constituencies on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported. The polls were conducted under a tight security cover to ensure the safety of voters and election personnel. The first phase of polling covers 20 out of the total 90 assembly seats in the state, with 223 candidates, including 25 women, in the fray.

The remaining 70 seats will go to polls on November 17 in the second and final phase.

Chhattisgarh Election 2023, Phase 1: 71% Voter Turnout Amid Violence In Sukma 

• During the first phase, a CRPF commando was injured in an IED blast triggered by Naxalites in the Sukma district while conducting an area domination operation. A brief exchange of fire also took place near Banda polling station in Sukma where at least four security personnel were injured, but no casualties were reported among the forces in these incidents, news agency PTI reported.
  
  


• The polling began at 7 AM in 10 of the 20 assembly constituencies, ending at 3 PM. In the remaining 10 seats, voting started at 8 AM and concluded at 5 PM.
  
  


• The highest voter turnout was recorded in Bhanupratappur at 79.1 percent, Antagarh (78.04%), Dongargarh (77.4%) Dongargaon (76.8%), Khairagarh (76.31%), Kondagaon (76.29%), Kanker (76.13%), Mohla-Manpur (76%), Jagdalpur (75%), Kawardha (74.89%) Keshkal (74.49%), Rajnandgaon (74%), Pandariya (73.67%), Khujji (72.01%), Bastar (71.39%) Chitrakot (70.36%), Dantewada (67.71%), Narayanpur (63.88%), Konta (50.12%), and Bijapur (40.98%), PTI reported.
  
  


• The state Congress chief, Bastar MP Deepak Baij, and other candidates from both the Congress and the BJP exercised their franchise during the day. Notably, woman constable Sumitra Sahu, who had quit Naxalism in 2018 and joined the police force in 2019, cast her vote in the Narayanpur constituency, as per PTI.
  
  


• The family members of BJP leader Ratan Dubey, who was allegedly killed by Naxalites while campaigning for the party last week in Narayanpur district, also participated in the voting process.
  
  


• Security personnel were deployed extensively, with around 60,000 personnel in the Bastar division, including 40,000 from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and 20,000 from the state police. Drones and helicopters are being used to monitor Naxal activities, and bomb disposal teams and dog squads are on standby if needed.


• 
  

  The notable candidates on the ballot in this phase included Chhattisgarh Congress Chief and MP Deepak Baij (Chitrakot), ministers Kawasi Lakhma (Konta), Mohan Markam (Kondagaon), Mohammad Akbar (Kawardha), and Chhavindra Karma (Dantewada), who is the son of the late leader Mahendra Karma.

  
  

  Among BJP leaders was former Chief Minister Raman Singh contesting from Ranjangaon, fighting the poll against the Congress' Girish Dewangan, the chairman of Chhattisgarh State Mineral Development Corporation. Four former ministers, Lata Usendi (Kondagaon), Vikram Usendi (Antagarh), Kedar Kashyap (Narayanpur), and Mahesh Gagda (Bijapur), along with former IAS officer Neelkanth Tekam (Keshkal) were also on the ballot.

  
  

  Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s state unit chief Komal Hupendi is fielded from the Bhanupratappur seat.

  
  

Mizoram Election 2023 Voting: Nearly 78% Electorate Votes In Mizoram

Mizoram Assembly Elections saw active participation, with 77.73% of the 8.57 lakh electors casting their votes, according to Election Commission's Voter Turnout app. The voting, which began at 7 AM, was scheduled to continue until 4 PM. 

• The highest polling percentage was recorded in Serchhip at 84.49%, followed by Hnahthial at 84.16%, and Khawzawl at 82.39%.
  
  


• In contrast, Aizawl recorded the lowest voter turnout at 73.09%, followed by Saitual (76.85%) and Siaha district (76.41%) which registered lower percentages compared to other areas.
  
  


• Prominent candidates include Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga, contesting from the Aizawl East-I seat facing Congress party's Lalsanglura Ralte and ZPM's Lalthansanga. ZPM founder Lalduhoma is another key contestant, competing from the Serchhip constituency. Congress chief Lalsawta is in the fray from Aizawl West-III, and BJP state unit president Vanlalhmuaka contested from the Dampa constituency.
  
  


• Over 8.57 lakh voters, including 4.39 lakh women, were eligible to vote in the election, which features 174 candidates. The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the main opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), and the Congress are fielding candidates in all 40 seats.
  
  


• While the BJP contested 23 constituencies, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominated candidates in four assembly segments. Additionally, 27 independent candidates are in the fray.
  
  


• The election authorities reported that the polling process has been peaceful, with no law and order issues recorded thus far, according to PTI.

Votes will be counted on December 3, and the outcome will determine the electoral fate of candidates in five states — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Telangana.