Chhattisgarh polls: about 72 per cent turnout by 6 pm in second phase

Voters in Chhattisgarh turned out in large numbers on Tuesday for the second phase of the assembly election, with 71.93 per cent turnout logged by 6 pm. The Election Commission said the day passed without incident. Seats numbering 72 were at stake in this round.

Turnout figures

Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha told reporters the figure was expected to climb, as many voters were still waiting in queues when polling closed. He said this phase had recorded slightly higher participation than in 2013, and credited elaborate security arrangements for the peaceful conduct of the vote.

Counting both phases, the Commission put average turnout across Chhattisgarh at 74.17 per cent, a figure it said could still rise. In the first phase on November 12, covering 18 seats in the state’s Naxal-affected areas, turnout had been 76.42 per cent.

Complaints and contest

EVMs reportedly malfunctioned at several booths in Dhamtari, Jashpur, Raipur, Ambikapur and Korba. The Congress accused the ruling BJP of “electoral malpractices” and of trying to disrupt the poll. It also demanded that Siddhnath Paikra, the BJP candidate in Samri in Balrampur district, be suspended and arrested, alleging that he had been handing out money to voters.

Several smaller parties were in the race. The Bahujan Samaj Party led by Mayawati contested 25 seats, while its ally, former Chief Minister Jogi’s Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J), fought 46. The Aam Aadmi Party put up candidates in 66 constituencies.

What happened next

The Congress won 68 seats to the BJP’s 15, with Janta Congress Chhattisgarh taking 5, and Bhupesh Baghel became Chief Minister.

Originally published on 21 November 2018. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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