Chhattisgarh assembly elections 2018 Highlights: Polling was peaceful, voters’ enthusiasm appreciable, says CEC

Polling for the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections took place on Monday with Election Commission stating that around 70% voter turnout was recorded. Eighteen seats spread across eight Maoist-affected districts went to polls in the state. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing a fourth straight term in the tribal-dominated state as the opposition Congress seeks to return to power after 15 years.At least six Maoists were reported to be killed in two encounters with security personnel in Bijapur and Sukma districts.Here are the highlights:

Updated on: Nov 12, 2018, 22:20:53 IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By HT Correspondent

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7:30 pm IST

Chhattisgarh assembly elections 2018: Nearly one lakh security personnel have been deployed in eight districts, amid threat from Maoists who have called for a boycott of the elections (HT Photo)

Polling was peaceful, voters’ enthusiasm appreciable: CEC

Polling was peaceful. In comparison to earlier elections, this elections have been singular achievement of the people working in fields. Attempts were made to create fear among people but enthusiasm in voters was appreciable: OP Rawat, Chief Election Commissioner

7:00 pm IST

Only 1 % of EVM, 1.9 % VVPATs were changed: EC

Only 1% of EVM and 1.9 % VVPATs were changed, says Sudeep Jain, Election Commission.

6:30 pm IST

Two Maoists killed in Sukma

Two Maoists were killed after an encounter with District Reserve Guard (DRG) in Sukma district of Bastar region.

“Encounter took place at 5.30 pm when DRG security parties were coming back from Chitolnar who were giving cover to polling parties,” said special director general ( naxal operations) DM Awasthi.

6:20 pm IST

Voter turnout 70% till 5 pm: EC

Voting has ended, turnout is 70% till now in the first phase of Chhattisgarh polls. Figures will be updated later: Umesh Sinha, Election Commission.

Voter turnout break-up

Kondagaon- 61.47 % , Dantewada- 49 %
Khairagarh- 70.14 % Dongargarh- , 71 %
Dongargaon- , 71 % Khujji- 72 %
Keshkal- 63.51 % Kanker- 62 %
Bastar- 58 %

6:00 pm IST

Day after resigning, Chhattisgarh Congress VP joins BJP

A day after resigning as the vice president of Congress’ Chhattisgarh unit, Ghanaram Sahu joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of the party chief Amit Shah.

5:47 pm IST

Voters return after casting ballot

5:02pm IST

Surrendered Maoist couple votes in Narayanpur

Maoist couple Mainuram and Rajbatti, who surrendered in December 2014, voted in Narayanpur district.

4:59pm IST

56.58% voter turnout recorded till 4:30pm

56.58% voter turnout recorded till 4:30 pm with 61.47% in Kondagaon, 63.51% in Keshkal, 62% in Kanker, 58% in Bastar; 49% in Dantewada, 60.5% in Khairagarh, 64% in Dongargarh and 65.5% in Khujji.

4:01 pm IST

Voting ends in 10 seats

Voting in 10 out of the 19 seats ended at 3 pm.

3:50 pm IST

At least 4 Maoists killed, 2 CoBRA jawans injured in encounter

At least four Maoists were reportedly killed and two CRPF personnel suffered bullet wounds as a gun battle broke out near Bijapur’s Majiguda village.

3:27pm IST

47.18% voter turnout till 3pm

47.18% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections.

3:04pm IST

Voter turnout 37.6%

EC sources said 37.6% votes have been cast till 2pm in 18 constituencies.

2:47pm IST

Challenges have gone: CRPF official

After the Nilwaya Maoist attack, the challenges have gone up. Maoists had threatened villagers against voting. We assured the villagers of a secure environment, put in place a three-level security so that people can vote without fear: CRPF official tells ANI.

2:45pm IST

People vote in face of Maoist threats

People in Dantewada’s Madenda village cast their votes even after threat from Maoists that they would cut off fingers if the ink is seen. A local told ANI, “There are 263 registered voters in the village and many are voting even after the threat.”

1:40pm IST

Turnout in Keshkal and Kondagaon

Keshkal and Kondagaon also record high turnouts of 44.04% and 46.04%.

1:18pm IST

High turnout in Rajnandgaon’s Mohala-Manpur

Narayanpur records 39% polling till 1pm, Mohala-Manpur 52.50% and Konta 33%.

1:15pm IST

103-year-old woman casts vote

103-year-old woman Soni Bai exercised her voting rights at a polling booth in Gorgunda’s Devarpalli, reports ANI. Her son carried her to the polling station in his arms.

Sukma: 103-year-old woman Soni Bai exercised her voting rights at a polling booth in Gorgunda's Devarpalli. His son carried her to the polling station in his arms. #ChhattisgarhAssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/dIJk9kXrRN