Chhattisgarh assembly polls: 67% voter turnout in first phase

Raipur, Nov 11: Eighteen constituencies in southern Chhattisgarh went to the assembly polls on Monday. The day was marred by violent activities by the

in various areas. The second phase will be held on November 19.

Voting ends in Chhattisgarh

Sixty seven percent polling was recorded in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, an official said on Monday.

"The poll process was marked by visible enthusiasm of the voters. It was largely peaceful. There were sporadic incidents of firing and a few IEDs were found," R. Balakrishnan, deputy election commissioner, said after the conclusion of voting in 18 assembly constituencies.

The polls to the 90-member assembly in Maoist-affected Chhattisgarh are being held in two phases on Nov 11 and 19.

4.12 pm

50 pc voter turnout till 1 pm

At least 50 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 1 pm, election officials told reporters in Raipur.

Firing in Dantewada

According to Times Now, heavy firing continued in Nayanar, Dantewada between maoists and security personnel. One CRPF jawan has been injured. The firing it taking place near election poll booth 177.

The entire area has been barricaded.

3.27 pm

Polling ends in 12 constituencies

According to reports, the polling has ended in 12 out of 18 constituencies in Bastar Divistion.

3.15 pm

Shinde: Polls going smoothly

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said that even though there were reports of violence in the morning, the polling in most of the areas was going on smoothly.

"Polling in Chhattisgarh is taking place smoothly even in areas where we had concerns," he said.

2.30 pm

40 % turn out at Bastar, Rajnandgaon district

According to reports, the voter turnout in Bastar and Rajnandgaon was 40 per cent within a few hours of the polling, joint chief electoral officer DD Singh said.

2 pm

28% polling till now: Poll official

Twenty-eight per cent polling registered so far, said election panel sources.

1.00 pm

Presiding officer dies in heart attack

Presiding officer at Balinga polling booth of Kondagaon district Rajendra Mahapatra died of heart stroke this morning, sources said.

No voter turnout in 42 polling booths in Sukma district.

12.25 pm

13% voting till 11 am: EC

Thirteen per cent voting has been reported till 11 am in Chhattisgarh, said the Election Commission.

12.02 pm

'News of EVMs being looted incorrect'

According to Chief Electoral officer Sunil Kujur, news reports of EVMs being looted by maoists is incorrect. "News reports of EVMs being looted is incorrect," KUjur said.

11.39 am

8 IEDs recovered from Dantewada

Security officials have recovered 8 IEDs in Dantewada.

11.30 am

Voter turnout climbs up steadily

According to district collector of Dantewada, the voter turnout has been good. "Voter turnout till 9 am was 14 per cent and reached 25 per cent by 11 am," he said.

11.20 am

Polling cancelled in 2 polling centres

According to ANI news, the polling has been cancelled in two centres- Sitapur and Pitram areas in Antagarh. Poll officials were unable to reach the spot due to maoist threat. The maoist have been attacking various poll centres since morning.

11.09 am

Voter turnout 20-22 per cent

The voter turnout in poll bound constituencies in Chhattisgarh was 20- 22 per cent till 10.30 am.

11 am

Polling stopped in booth 139 in Kanker

Polling has been stopped in booth number 139 as maoists attacked the booth. There are reports that the gunbattle between security personnel and maoists is underway.

10.50 am

Digvijay Singh expresses concern

General Secretary of AICC, Digvijay Singh said that the maoist threat to Chhattisgarh is unfortunate. "Unfortunate that Naxals are trying to disturb a democratic process. We need to fight this unitedly," Singh said.

10.45 am

Firing in Bijapur

According to reports, fresh firing incidents have been reported from Bijapur. Maoists have opened fire in Mankeli region and the search for maoists has begun.

10.42 am

Polling officer dies

Pitasin officer Rajesh Mahapatra who was designated the duty of polling officer, became unconscious and died enroute to the hospital.The reason behind his death is unknown.

10.34 am

EVMs face technical issues, people disappointed

According to some reports, EVMs in some polling booth in Kanker are facing technical issues due to which people are unable to cast their votes. About 22 EVMs reportedly stopped working and are being replaced.

10.18 am

Voting continues in spite of Maoist threat

Dantewada and Sukhma registered 10 per cent of voting up to 9 am. Kondagaon saw 16 per cent and Rajnandgaon witnessed 25 per cent voting till 9 am.

10.10 am

Alka Mudaliar hits out at Raman

Widow of Congress leader Uday Mudaliar, Alka Mudaliar hit out at Raman Singh and said that he was fighting the elections based on money power. Alka cast her vote from Rajnandgaon.

10.02 am

IED recovered in Dhanikherka

Security officials have recovered a 10 kg IED outside a polling booth in Dhanikherka. The explosive has been diffused by security officials.

9.48 am

Maoists destroy EVMs

Maoists attacked Pani Dongra village and destroyed Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The maoists then threatened security forces, who were deployed for election duty.

Reports suggest that Maoists may carry out a major strike.

9.40 am

325 inputs on Maoists movement

According to Times Now, Intel agencies have received 325 inputs on maoists movement in Chhattisgarh.According to the inputs, the most sensitive areas are Bastar, Sukhma, Bijapur. 85,000 security personnel have been deployed to monitor the situation.

Reports suggest that maoists may disguise themselves and may attack the polling booths. According to reports, the maoists are said to be using teenage recruits in order to attack polling booths.

9am

Blast in Kanker

Reports suggest that a low intensity blast took place in Kanker as the polling began. One BSF jawan has been injured.
According to Times now, the Maoists attacked the security forces deployed for the polling duty.

8am

Cong- BJP workers clash

Congress and BJP workers clashed in the Jagdalpur area, on Sunday night where Congress leader Shamu Kashyap sustained some injuries.

Kashyap, who is currently in a hospital, alleged being attacked by the opponent.

7.45 am

NOTA debuts in Chhattisgarh

None Of The Above (NOTA) option will be introduced in the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections today. The voting for seats where polling began at 7 am will conclude at 3 pm so that polling officials can return safely from Maoist areas by sunset.

Amid tight security, people of Chhattisgarh geared up today for the first phase of polling.Voters in 18 constituencies will cast their votes today.

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