CG Election 2023 Dates: Chhattisgarh, which is dominated by tribal voters, will go to polls on November 7 and November 17. The election will be held in two phases and votes will be counted on December 3, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Monday.
With the poll schedule announcement, the model code of conduct (MCC) comes into effect. The state will see a direct contest between BJP and Congress even though some new entrants like AAP, Hamar Raj, a newly founded outfit by veteran tribal leader and former Union Minister Arvind Netam and Sarv Aadi Dal (SAD), which aims to build an alliance of minorities and adivasis, could influence the outcome in some constituencies.
Following is the poll schedule announced for Chhattisgarh Election 2023:
Chhattisgarh Election 2023: Phase 1 (20 Constituencies)
Date of notification: October 13
Last date for filing nomination: October 20
Scrutiny of nomination: October 21
Last date for withdrawal of nomination: October 23
Date of voting: November 7
Date of counting of votes (result): December 3
Chhattisgarh Election 2023: Phase 2 (70 Constituencies)
Date of notification: October 21
Last date for filing nomination: October 30
Scrutiny of nomination: October 31
Last date for withdrawal of nomination: November 2
Date of voting: November 17
Date of counting of votes (result): December 3
Chhattisgarh has 90 assembly seats. The state, nestled in the heart of India, has been a hotbed of political activity, with its political landscape dominated by a diverse range of ideologies and parties.
In the previous state elections held in 2018, the Indian National Congress (INC) managed to secure a landslide victory, ending 15 years of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule. The INC won 68 out of the 90 assembly seats and the BJP, on the other hand, faced a significant setback, securing only 15 seats. This electoral victory of the Congress party led to the formation of the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
The upcoming contest promises to be fiercely competitive, with both the INC and the BJP vying for power. Moreover, regional parties and alliances are also expected to play a significant role in shaping the electoral outcome.
Notably, the Aam Aadmi Party is also aiming to play a role in the electoral battle, having announced nominations for 32 seats so far. AAP's state unit chief Komal Hupendi and prominent farmer leader Tejram Vidrohi have been fielded from the Bhanupratappur (ST) and Rajim constituencies respectively. In the previous Chhattisgarh Assembly election in 2018, the AAP contested 85 out of 90 seats but did not secure any victories.
The Election Commission's announcement has set the stage for a fierce election campaign in Chhattisgarh as the BJP looks to replace the Congress government, accusing it of indulging in corrupt activities and alleged scams.
Moreover, over the past year, BJP has put its focus on reaching out to the tribal population. The BJP has repeatedly sought to remind the voters that it made Droupadi Murmu as the first tribal president of the country.
Besides the allegations of scams in various state schemes, issues such as development, employment, healthcare, and education are expected to dominate the discourse.
On the other hand, Baghel's welfare schemes aimed at women and his pro-farmer stance have been a hit among voters. One of his famous welfare schemes, 'Godhan Nyay' scheme, under which the government purchases cow dung from cattle owners at Rs 2/kg, has been lauded by locals.