Chhattisgarh polls LIVE: Voting ends; Naxals fail as state sees 70% turnout

Pundits are referring to today's election as Round-1 of the 'semi-final' to the general elections next year. Track full coverage of Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2018 here

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The voter turnout in 18 Assembly constituencies in the first phase of Chhattisgarh elections Monday was 65 per cent till 3 pm, a poll official said.

Polling began on a slow note in many constituencies, but gradually picked up momentum, he said. 

6:01 PM

Voting in the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly polls for 18 constituencies spread across eight Maoist-affected districts ended on Monday, with nearly 65 per cent of the electorate exercising their franchise. 

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The poll panel rejected the charges saying "certain sources were spreading rumours of EVM malfunctioning and rigging".

3:58 PM

The Congress alleged "rampant" EVM rigging in Bastar area but the poll panel rejected the charges.

 

"The BJP has completely lost the plot in Chhattisgarh and its desperation and desolation is more than evident with reports of rigging of EVMs pouring in from Bastar," Congress Legislative Party leader T.S. Singh Deo said, asking the Election Commission to intervene. 

3:55 PM

A poll official said polling was being held after 15 years in Sukma district's Palam Adgu village where 44 voters exercised their franchise so far. 

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47.18% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in the first phase.

2:58 PM

People in Dantewada's Madenda village cast their votes even after threat from the Naxals to cut their fingers if the ink mark is seen on their fingers. Local says, "there are 263 registered voters in the village and many are voting even after the threat."

2:58 PM

After the Nilwaya naxal attack, the challenges have gone up. Naxals 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

2:04 PM

Sukma: 103-year-old woman casts her vote in Sukma
 

A 103-year-old woman, Soni Bai, reached the polling booth in Gorgunda's Devarpalli, Sukma, to cast her vote. Her son carried her in his arms to the polling station.

2:03 PM

Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh, PM Modi singled out the Gandhis saying, "mother-son duo" were out on bail and hit out at them for questioning the government's demonetisation move.  "They forget it was due to demonetisation that they had to seek bail."

1:46 PM

Two CoBRA personnel were injured in an encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, even as polling was underway for the first phase of the state elections.

The skirmish took place at a forest in Pamed area, located around 500 km from the state capital Raipur, when a team of security personnel was patrolling in view of the voting going on in the region, a senior police official told PTI.

As per preliminary information, a group Naxalites opened fire on the patrolling team of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), a elite unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), he said.

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25.15% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm in the first phase.

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Nearly 20% polling in Chhattisgarh first phase

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Defying Maoist threats, lakhs of people voted on Monday in 18 constituencies in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly election, with officials putting the voting percentage at nearly 20 per cent in the first four hours.

 

"So far 18-20 per cent polling has been registered in all the 18 seats. Thirty-one EVMs and 61 VVPAT machines were replaced due to technical snags. Except for one incident, polling so far is peaceful and is steadily picking up," Chief Electoral Officer Subrat Sahoo said.

1:08 PM

Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) jawan injured in the encounter that broke out between security forces and naxals in Bijapur's Pamed area.

12:48 PM

Encounter broke out between security forces & Naxals in Bijapur's Pamed area at around 12:20 pm today. Firing underway.

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Recently, Congress released its 36-point manifesto for Chhattisgarh. At the release of the manifesto, 'Naamdaar' was referred to as 'sir' 150 times. It means for them the importance of Chhattisgarh is lesser than 'Naamdaar': PM Narendra Modi addressing a public rally in Bilaspur.

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Certain sources are spreading rumours that EVMs are malfunctioning repeatedly. This is to clarify that above info is false. Voting is going on smoothly. If at all, any glitches are noticed, issue is sorted out as quickly as possible: Election Commission on Chhattisgarh elections.

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I have been told that people in large numbers are casting their votes in the Bastar region. I've faith that people will also vote in large no.s in the 2nd phase of elections. Voters should go by the the mantra 'Phele matdaan phir jalpaan': PM addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh.

12:39 PM

Our opposition still don’t know how to fight the BJP. We are focused on development, we went beyond the caste divisions. You can witness development wherever you go in #Chhattisgarh: PM Modi addressing a rally in Bilaspur.

12:18 PM

Hours before voting, Congress state VP ditched party to join BJP

 

In a setback to the Congress, Chhattisgarh state vice president Ghanaram Sahu resigned from the party hours before the crucial assembly election. He is set to join the BJP today in the presence of Amit Shah.

12:16 PM

Huge voter turnout at polling station in Naxal-affected Pardoni village in Manpur

 

The polling station in Naxal-affected Manpur's Pardoni village saw huge voter turnout on Monday despite Naxali posters & banners all over the place asking people to boycott elections.