Chhattisgarh polls: Phase II sees 75% voter turnout

Raipur, Nov 19: Seventy-two seats in BJP-ruled

went to the polls on Tuesday. It was the second phase of the state polls. The central and the northern parts went to the polls on the second day. The first phase, which was marred by violence, took place on November 11.

[See: Last two years' winners in the 72 seats that went to polls on Nov 19]

6.45 pm: Seventy-five polling was recorded in the second phase of the Chhattisgarh assembly polls, the Election Commission said. It is the highest ever in the short history of the state, the panel said.

5:00 pm: Nearly 55 per cent voter turnout was recorded in 72 constituencies across 19 districts of Chhattisgarh till 3 pm on Tuesday, joint electoral officer D D Singh said.

4:16 pm: Women outnumber male voters

Going by overall statistics or even by constituencies, it is observed that there are more women voters than men.

4:08 pm: One person was injured and another killed after CRPF personnel opened fire at a group, following an argument. This happened in Chhattisgarh's Saja assembly sea. It is alleged that a group of three men, who were drunk, came to the polling booth in village Bhindarwani engaged in a heated argument with the security personnel. Polling was stopped for half-an-hour after this incident.

3:54 pm: Raman Singh confident of victory

Seeing the voter turnout and public consensus, the Raman Singh-led government believes that the people are willing to give them one more chance to serve the people.

12:15 pm: Minor party clashes

Although the elections are peaceful, minor clashes between Congress and BJP party members were reported in Durg and Bilaspur.

12 noon: 30% voting reported. Heavy polling was reported in a few assembly constituencies like Marwahi. Represented by Ajit Jogi's son Amit Jogi, the region recorded an excess of 40 percent voting.

11:45 am: Polls peaceful till now. Sources suggest that BJP may have a "clean sweep" in Chhattisgarh.

10:27 am: Voting percent

In the first one hour, 10 per cent voting was recorded in Jaspur, 18 per cent was recorded in Marwahi, 16% in Bhadgaon and 12% in Kunkuri.

9:45 am: Raigarh district records 10 percent of voting

9:30 am: 2 EVMs malfunction in Pipar Kunti and Sarai Gaon. Subsequently voting was halted for an hour. Faulty machines also troubled NGM booth in Raipur Gramin after fault occurs in EVM. Governor Dr. Shekhar Dutt becomes the first one to cast vote in North Raipur.

9:25 am: Contesting candidates

Brijmohan Agrawal, who is the State PWD and School Education Minister, is contesting from Raipur South (facing Raipur Mayor Kiranmayee Nayak of Congress), Amar Agrawal, the Health Minister, is fighting from Bilaspur (against Bilaspur Mayor Vani Rao of Congress), and Rajesh Moonat (Industry Minister) is contesting from Raipur West.

Chandrashekhar Sahoo, who is the Agriculture and Labour Minister, is contesting from Abhanpur Panchayat. Some of the other ministers contesting include RD Minister Hemchand Yadav from Durg (against Motilal Vora's son Arun Vora), and Higher Education Minister Ramvichar Netam is contesting from Ramanujganj.

Representing the Mungeli seat is food minister Punnulal Mohle. On the other hand, Revenue Minister Dayal Das Baghel is contesting from Nawagarh seat.

9:00 am: Poll schedule

Sources say that the polling has begun from 8 am and is likely to end at 5 pm.

8:45 am: Under watchful eyes

Close to 1 lakh security personnel deployed; 3,000 cameras installed.

8:30 am: Polling in Ajit Jogi stronghold.

8:00 am: Polls are taking place in Central and North Chhattisgarh.

7:45 am: Anticipating polls

Approximately 4,594 polling stations have been declared sensitive and 1,398 others are being considered hyper-sensitive. The Raman Singh government and his team of ministers wait with baited breath for the outcome. The most prominent among them is Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar, contesting from the Rampur ST.

7:30 am: Voting begins

Voting for the 72 Assembly seats in Chhattisgarh begins. Heavy security has been deployed to avoid any kind of unfavourable circumstances.

The elections are due to end at 5 pm today. However, it is still not clear who got the majority of votes. Voter turn outs proved to be sloppy with just 30% with no concrete changes. However, it is best to wait and watch for the results before any conclusive statements.

In Raipur

People queue outside the polling booth for casting their vote in the Assembly election 2013 in Raipur on Tuesday.

Voting is my right

An elderly voter being carried to a polling station by a relative during assembly election 2013 in Raipur on Tuesday.

Practising the fundamental right

People queue outside the polling booth for casting their vote in the assembly election 2013 in Raipur on Tuesday.

Poll details

A detailed diagram about the Chhattisgarh elections.

Getting ready

Polling officials at a distribution centre in Raipur on the eve of 2nd phase of polling in Chhattisgarh on Monday.

In Pendra

Congress leader Ajit Jogi talks to media after casting his vote during the assembly election in Pendra district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

In Raigarh

Women wait in a queue to cast their votes at a polling booth in Raigarh during 2nd phase of polling for Chhattisgarh Assembly elections on Tuesday.

In Raigarh

People wait in a queue to cast their votes at a polling booth in Raigarh during 2nd phase of polling for Chhattisgarh Assembly elections on Tuesday.

In Kawardha

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh gets is finger marked before casting his vote at a polling station at Kawardha on Tuesday during the 2nd phase of state Assembly elections.

In Kawardha

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh casting his vote at a polling station at Kawardha on Tuesday during the 2nd phase of state Assembly elections.

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