Chhattisgarh Polls: 72 per cent voting recorded till 6 pm

A turnout of 71.93 per cent was recorded till 6 PM in the second phase of assembly elections in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Polling remained incident-free on tuesday for 2nd phase, the Election Commission said. 

Addressing a press conference here, Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said the polling percentage is likely to rise in further. As a number of people were still in the queue for voting.

Mr. Sina also said the polling percentage for this phase is slightly higher than that recorded during 2013. Recorded plles which was 71.13 per cent higher. Polling for as many as 72 seats were conducted in the second phase. 

Sinha said Tuesday’s election was peaceful and incident-free as elaborate security arrangements were made. 

The EC said with Tuesday’s polling percentage the total average turnout for Chhattisgarh has been 74.17 per cent, which may go up further.

During the first phase of voting on November 12 for 18 seats in the Naxal-affected areas of the state, a total of 76.42 per cent polling was recorded. 

EVMs malfunctioned in several booths

Across Dhamtari, Jashpur, Raipur, Ambikapur and Korba constituencies. With the Congress accusing the state’s ruling BJP of indulging in “electoral malpractices” and “attempting to disrupt” the poll process. 

The Congress also demanded suspension and arrest of BJP candidate Siddhnath Paikra in Samri in Balrampur district for “distributing money” to voters. 

The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is in the fray for 25 seats. Its ally and former Chief Minister Jogi’s Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) in 46 seats. 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded candidates in 66 constituencies.