Chhattisgarh Election: Polling Concludes Amid Violence In Sukma, Kanker; Over 70% Turnout Recorded | Highlights

The seats where polling is underway, as part of the first phase of voting for the 2023 Chhattisgarh Assembly election, recorded an overall voter turnout of 70.87 per cent till 5 pm, as per the Election Commission.

Chhattisgarh registers 60.92 per cent voter turnout till 3 pm as 20 constituencies held polls in the first phase of Assembly polls.

An encounter broke out between Naxalites and BSF and DRG teams in the Bande police station area of Kanker district. AK47 recovered from the incident site. Search is going on in the area. Some Naxalites likely to be injured or killed: Chhattisgarh Police

An encounter breaks out between Naxals and security personnel near Minpa in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. Four security officials were injured in the exchange of fire.

As Chhattisgarh holds first phase of polling for the state assembly election, an encounter was reported in Narayanpur district. A gunfight broke out between Special Task Force (STF) personnel and Naxals in the forest area near Orchha police station today.

"STF personnel are safe as Naxals fled amid the encounter. The area is being searched. The viral information circulating on social media about polling booths being gheraoed by the Naxals is wrong and voting is going on," officials said.

A voter turnout of 44.55% was recorded till 1 PM in the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly election 2023.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday took a potshot at the BJP-ruled central government, saying that the personnel of its probe agencies will get respite from work only after the voting for second phase of the state Assembly election concludes on November 17.

"They (ED, IT) will take a short break. After November 17, they will take a break. They also have a family. Before Lok Sabha (elections), they will again come back," he stated.,

#WATCH | Raipur: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel says, "They (ED, IT) will take a short break. After November 17, they will take a break. They also have a family. Before Lok Sabha (elections), they will again come back." pic.twitter.com/XLXDwlqXpl, — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023

Naxals fired at District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel deployed for outer cordon around 2 kilometres away from Banda polling station this morning. The security forces retaliated and the firing from naxals' side stopped after 10 minutes. All the jawans are safe and voting is underway: Sukma Police

"BJP has increased the Central Government's budget for the tribal community by 5 times. So that your children get a good education, 500 new Eklavya Model Schools are also being built in tribal areas," says PM Modi at Surajpur rally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to in Bishrampur, Surajpur in Chhattisgarh. Addressing a polll rally, he says "Under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP formed Chhattisgarh. Today, the entire Chhattisgarh is saying, 'BJP ne banaya hai, BJP hi sawaregi'.",

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: At a public meeting in Bishrampur, Surajpur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says "Under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP formed Chhattisgarh. Today, the entire Chhattisgarh is saying, 'BJP ne banaya hai, BJP hi sawaregi'..." pic.twitter.com/J8Ig0lzQ2y, — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023

Bastar IG P Sundarraj says, "Polling is being held in 12 Assembly constituencies of Bastar division. Adequate security arrangements have been made in all areas. We have special security forces too. Arrangements are in place to ensure that all voters cast their vote in a safe environment. We appeal to the people to exericse their franchise safely."

"Bhupesh Baghel is running away from questions (regarding Mahadev betting app case). He is not able to answer the people or the investigating agencies or the media," says Union minister Anurag Thakur. 

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who campaigned in the state for the first phase of polls, attacked Baghel over the alleged betting app scam.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urges people to vote for the party in Chhattisgarh, saying it has delivered on the promises it made to the people. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi says, "When you exercise your franchise, remember that once again in Chhattisgarh, Congress has a trustworthy government."

"Congress's guarantee to Chhattisgarh: Loan waiver of farmers, buy 20 quintal per acre of paddy, Rs 10,000 per year to the landless, Rs 3,200 MSP for paddy, Rs 4,000 bonus per year for tendu patta farmers, 200 units of electricity free, Rs 500 subsidy on gas cylinder, on tendu leaves 6,000 per bag, free education from KG to PG, free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh housing for Rs 17.5 lakh families, Caste-based census. Whatever we say, we do it," he says.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel says, "Naxalism has retreated to a great extent with the work we have done in 5 years. As a result, polling booths have been set up inside villages. People will vote in their village itself. There is a possibility of high voting percentage in naxal affected areas."

BJP leader and former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh exudes confidence of BJP win on maximum seats in first phase of polls. "BJP is winning a minimum of 14 seats in the first phase...Both phases will be good, and the BJP will form the government with a complete majority. There is an enormous undercurrent for the BJP in Chhattisgarh," he says.

Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel says, "Congress manifesto mentions all of these (poll guarantees). Chhattisgarh Congress has always stood for the welfare of common people.",

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh Elections | CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel speaks on poll guarantees for the state; says, "...Congress manifesto mentions all of these...Chhattisgarh Congress has always stood for the welfare of common people..." pic.twitter.com/kYITUheWNy, — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023

In maoist-affected Karigundam area of Sukma is holding polls area after 23 years. The polling in the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly is being held under tight security cover by CRPF 150 Battalion and District Force.,

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh Elections | Sukma: Voting being held in naxal-affected Karigundam area after 23 years. The polling process is being held under the security cover by CRPF 150 Battalion and District Force.

(Video Source: CRPF 150 Battalion) pic.twitter.com/pk2tfpUs86, — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023

The Aam Aadmi Party's state unit chief Komal Hupendi will contest from Bhanupratappur seat. MLA Anup Nag, who was denied ticket by Congress, is fighting as an Independent from Antagarh seat.

Voters stand in queue outside a polling booth in Kondagaon. The voters will cast their vote to decide the fate of Congress's Mohan Markam and BJP leader Lata Usendi, who face each other in Kondagaon. Markam, who currently holds the seat, expressed his confidence over retaining power. He is eyeing a third term from Kondagaon.,

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh elections | Voters queue up outside a polling booth in Kondagaon as they await their turn to cast a vote in the first phase of Assembly elections.#ChhattisgarhElection2023 pic.twitter.com/p699iWnbpT, — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023

PM Modi also urges the citizens of Mizoram to vote. "I call upon the people of Mizoram to vote in record numbers. I particularly urge the young and first time voters to exercise their franchise and strengthen the festival of democracy," he says.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the people of Chhattisgarh as voting takes place in the first phase of state assembly elections. "Today is the sacred festival of democracy in Chhattisgarh. I request all the voters of the first phase of assembly elections to cast their vote and participate in this celebration. On this occasion, my special congratulations to all the young friends of the state who voted for the first time!" he says in an X post in Hindi.,

छत्तीसगढ़ में आज लोकतंत्र के पावन उत्सव का दिन है। विधानसभा चुनाव के पहले चरण के सभी मतदाताओं से मेरा अनुरोध है कि वे अपना वोट जरूर डालें और इस उत्सव के भागीदार बनें। इस अवसर पर पहली बार वोट डालने वाले राज्य के सभी युवा साथियों को मेरी विशेष बधाई!, — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2023

A release issued from the office of the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said, "A total of 156 poll parties have been sent to Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker and Narayanpur districts on board helicopters, while 5,148 polling teams have been sent to respective booths by buses. Of the 5,304 booths, web casting facility will be available in 2431."

Voters line up outside polling booth in Sukma as voting for the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly election 2023 gets underway. Earlier today, a CRPF jawan was injured in an IED blast in Tondamarka area of Sukma.,

#WATCH | Voters stand in a queue outside a polling booth in the Sukma Assembly Constituency to cast their votes for the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections 2023. pic.twitter.com/7OVHn0cCEl, — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023

The key candidates of BJP in first phase Chhattisgarh Election 2023 are

- Former CM Raman Singh from Rajnandgaon
- Lata Usendi from Kondagaon
- Vikram Usendi from Antagarh
- Kedar Kashyap from Narayanpur
- Mahesh Gagda from Bijapur
- Former IAS officer Neelkanth Tekam from Keshkal

The key candidates of ruling Congress include:

- Chhattisgarh Congress chief and MP Deepak Baij from Chitrakot
- Kawasi Lakhma from Konta
- Mohan Markam from Kondagaon
- Mohammad Akbar from Kawardha
- Chhavindra Karma from Dantewada

Voting begins in 10 other seats of Chhattisgarh. The voting will be held from 8 AM to 5 PM in these 10 seats: Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Pandariya, Kawardha, Bastar, Jagdalpur and Chitrakot.

Congress candidate from Kondagaon Mohan Markam casts his vote in the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly election. After casting his vote, Markam says "I am confident that I will win for the third time from Kondagaon. BJP cannot compete with Congress in Chhattisgarh, that is why they are using ED."

As 20 out of the total 90 seats vote today, 223 candidates are in fray for the Chhattisgarh Assembly election phase 1. These include 25 women candidates. Meanwhile, the electorate comprises a higher number of women voters in these seats. Of the total 40,78,681 voters, 19,93,937 are male, 20,84,675 are female and 69 belong to third gender. Women outnumber men in 16 of the 20 Chhattisgarh Assembly seats.

Meanwhile, security as also tightened in the neighbouring state of Odisha to check the movement of Maoists. Joint security forces, comprising the BSF, DVF (district voluntary force) and SOG (special operation group), conducted counter-insurgency operations in border areas. A high alert has been sounded in Kotpad, Kundra and Boipariguda police station areas, according to Koraput's Superintendent Police Avinabh Sonkar. "Though at present the situation is normal, we can't be complacent. On the instruction of the Election Commission, adequate security-related measures have been taken along the border to check the movement of Maoists," PTI quoted him as saying.

On Monday too an IED blast was triggered by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district. The blast, which took place around 4 pm, left two polling personnel and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan injured. The IED blast targeted four polling parties being escorted by security personnel from Marbeda camp to Rengaghati Rengagondi polling station. An IED exploded when the polling parties were reaching Rengagondi.

One CRPF personnel, on election duty, was injured in an IED blast in Sukma. According to the Sukma SP Kiran Chavan, the IED blast was triggerred by Naxals in Tondamarka area. The injured jawan belongs to CoBRA Battalion of CRPF. 

The northeastern state of Mizoram is also holding state Assembly polls today. All 40 seats of the Mizoram Assembly will vote in the single phase election being held today, November 7. As many as 174 candidates are in fray in the Mizoram Assembly election 2023 and their fate will decided by over 8.52 lakh voters. The counting of votes will take place on December 3.

Voting begins in 10 of the 20 Chhattisgarh Assemly seats which go to polls in the first phase of polls today. Over 40 lakh electors will vote across 5,304 polling stations in the CG Election 2023 phase 1.

In a bid to encourage third gender voters to turn up to vote, a 'rainbow' themed polling station has been set up in the Kanker district. The polling booth in Kanker displays the vibrant colours of a rainbow with tents bearing the similar colourful designs. 

The ruling Congress holds 19 of the 20 seats which go to polls in the Chhattisgarh Election Phase I voting. Congress had won 17 seats in the 2018 Chhattisgarh Assembly polls while BJP bagged two seats and the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh grabbed one seat. Congress later managed to grab two more seats in bypolls.

Chhattisgarh Election Voting Live Updates: Another 10 out of the 20 Assembly seats in Chhattisgarh will begin voting an hour later, at 8 AM. The voting will end at 5 PM here. The seats which will vote from 8 AM to 5 AM are Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Pandariya, Kawardha, Bastar, Jagdalpur and Chitrakot.

Watch visuals from polling booth in Rajnandgaon.,

#WATCH | Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh: Preparations underway as voting for the first phase of #ChhattisgarhElections2023 to begin at 8 am today; visuals from Booth No - 96 Wesleyan English Medium School, Rajnandgaon. pic.twitter.com/vjMBeamlxN, — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023

Chhattisgarh Election 2023: 10 out of the 20 seats in the first phase of the CG Election 2023 will begin voting at 7 AM. These seats include: Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta. 

Polling booths are conducting mock poll ahead of the voting. Watch visuals from a polling booth in Kondagaon.,

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: Preparations, mock poll underway as voting for the #ChhattisgarhElections2023 to begin at 7 am today; visuals from a polling booth in Kondagaon. pic.twitter.com/CS6QJsQmBB, — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023

Hello and welcome to Jagran English's LIVE blog on Chhattisgarh Assembly Election phase 1. Preparations are in full swing as at 5,304 booths in 20 constituencies of the state as voting becomes shortly for the first phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls. Security has been beefed up as 12 out of these 20 seats fall in Naxal-affected Bastar division. Follow this space for latest updates on the polling today.