Polling is underway for the 72 assembly constituencies as part of the second and last phase of elections in Chhattisgarh. The first phase of elections in 18 Maoist-affected assembly constituencies was held on November 12 amid tight security and sporadic incidents of violence.
Eight Maoists were killed and five jawans of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) were injured in two separate encounters during the first phase of polling. Election officials recorded more than 70% turnout on November 12.
The BJP, which has been ruling the state for 15 years, and the Congress have been traditional rivals in Chhattisgarh. This time, however, former chief minister Ajit Jogi’s newly floated outfit Janata Congress Chhattisgarh and Mayawati’s BSP have joined hands, turning the elections into a three-cornered fight.
Follow live updates here:
Great sense of dissatisfaction with BJP: Cong
There is a great sense of dissatisfaction with the BJP, and the Congress will win two-thirds of more seats: Leader of Opposition in the assembly TS Singh Deo tells HT.
Ajit Jogi-BSP alliance to hurt Cong more: Raman Singh
The Congress leadership is divided in Chhattisgarh, and the Ajit Jogi-BSP alliance will hurt them more: Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh tells HT in an exclusive interview.
Polling begins
Polling has begun for the 72 assembly constituencies as part of the second and last phase of elections in Chhattisgarh.
The first phase of elections in 18 Maoist-affected assembly constituencies was held on November 12 amid tight security and sporadic incidents of violence.
Voting has begun for the second and final phase of polling on 72 seats. Visuals from a polling booth in Ambikapur #ChhattisgarhElections2018 pic.twitter.com/FybsqIZN17
— ANI (@ANI)November 20, 2018
Voting has begun for the second phase of polling on 72 seats in 19 districts of the state. Visuals from Pendra in Bilaspur #ChhattisgarhElections2018 pic.twitter.com/PGIWYJTMys
— ANI (@ANI)November 20, 2018
Security tightened in lieu of Maoist attacks
Security has been tightened in the state with deployment of over one lakh security personnel in lieu of Maoist attacks.
Mock polling in Surguja’s Ambikapur
Ahead of the voting, mock polling was conducted at a polling station in Surguja’s Ambikapur.
Chhattisgarh: Mock polling being conducted at a polling station in Surguja’s Ambikapur. Voting for the second phase of #ChhattisgarhElections2018 will begin at 8 am today. 72 constituencies spread across 19 districts are undergoing polling today. pic.twitter.com/UuBjhXawAx
— ANI (@ANI)November 20, 2018
Voting for 72 assembly constituencies to begin at 8 am
Polling for the 72 assembly constituencies as part of the second and last phase of elections in Chhattisgarh will begin at 8 am continue till 5 pm.
Chhattisgarh: Visuals from a polling station in Durg district’s Patan. Voting for the 72 constituencies in second phase of #ChhattisgarhElections2018 will be conducted today, polling will begin at 8 am. pic.twitter.com/xeuUCsgsfV
— ANI (@ANI)November 20, 2018
Source: HindustanTimes