23 polling teams yet to report back in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Nov 16 (UNI) Two days after polling across 39 assembly constituencies in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh hustings, 23 polling teams are yet to return from polling stations in naxalism-affected Bastar division.

Altogether 377 teams returned from the division's booths by this evening. As many as 400 had not reported to their headquarters till yesterday. State Chief Electoral Officer Alok Shukla said today that 23 teams had not returned owing to inclement weather. ''Helicopters have been pressed into service to bring back these teams from densely-forested areas,'' he added.

These teams comprise 20 of Konta assembly constituency and three of Bijapur. Meanwhile, the Election Commission yesterday announced repolling in 32 booths of Bastar division where voting took place in the first phase. However, the date was yet to be announced.

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