Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections Phase II: Over 74% vote as polling ends, one killed as trooper opens fire during voting

While pre-poll surveys have predicted a third-term as Chhattisgarh chief minister for Singh, whose stern stand on Maoists and good governance give him an edge over the others, his fate is in the hands of the electorate who will vote in two phases — November 11 and 19 — to elect its 90-member assembly.

Read: Chhattisgarh state assembly elections, 2013: News, updates and all you need to know

Low intensity IED blast in Kanker, no casualties reported.

BSF jawan inured in the incident.

First phase voting begins in Chhattisgarh, security beefed up.

Encounter breaks out between Maoists and BSF in Pakhanjur in Bastar.

Read: Chhattisgarh polls: In shadow of guns, poll staff head for booths

Congress candidate from Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh injured in clash with BJP workers. The first phase of polling in the state has begun.

Voting in the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections began amid high security where Raman Singh-led BJP government is aiming for a hat-trick against the Congress.

The chief minister and his three ministers, besides kin of the victims of Jiram valley Naxal attack are among the candidates whose fate will be decided in today's voting in 18 assembly constituencies in the worst Naxal-hit regions of Bastar and Rajnandgaon.

A total of 143 candidates are contesting from 12 constituencies in Bastar division and six constituencies of Rajnandgaon district with an electorate of 29,33,200 in the first of the two-phase polls to the 90-member assembly in the state.

"The polling in 12 constituencies of Bastar and one of Rajnandgaon district has begun from 7 am and will conclude at 3 pm while in the rest of the constituencies in Rajnandgaon, the polling time is from 8 am to 5 pm," a official with the of office of Chief Electoral Officer told PTI.

Voting underway in Bastar, long queues in Chitrakoot #CGvotes pic.twitter.com/TGe4LmdtcU

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 11, 2013

A large number of security force personnel have been deployed across the state to ensure peaceful polling. The polling parties had left to their destination on Sunday, the official said.

Chief Minister Raman Singh is contesting from Rajnandgaon constituency. His main rival is Congress' Alka Mudliyar, wife of slain Congress leader Uday Mudliyar.

Devati Karma, wife of Mahendra Karma, has been fielded from Dantewada-ST seat.

Tribal welfare Minister Kedar Kashyap had won the Narayanpur segment in 2008 poll against Congress candidate Rajnuram Netam by a huge margin of 21, 635 votes and this time the main opposition has fielded a low profile party worker Chandan Kashyap from this seat against him.

Sports minister Lata Usendi had previously defeated Congressman Mohan Markam from Kondagon seat in a close contest by 2771 votes. Markam has been provided a second chance from this seat.

The constituencies going to polls today are Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Mohla-Manpur of Rajnandgaon district and Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Chitrakot, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta of Bastar division.

Women voters outnumber men for first phase of polling, as 14,78,659 female voters are there against 14,53,730 men.

A total of 4,142 polling booths have been set up for this phase of which 1,517 are sensitive booths while 1,311 are hyper-sensitive stations. Out of the 18 seats, BJP had won 15 while Congress had three in the last election.

The rest 72 constituencies, including Bilaspur and state-capital Raipur, are scheduled for polls on November 19.

A total of 562 companies (56,200 personnel) have been recently sent by the Centre for security related duty in addition to existing 40 battalions (40,000 men and women) of paramilitary forces who are engaged in anti-naxal operations and other security related duty in the state, official sources said.

Read: No road so no vote, say 2 Chhattisgarh villages

A police personnel was injured when a pressure bomb laid by Naxals exploded in Kanker district of north Bastar where poling is underway, police said.

The incident took place when the jawan was removing the bomb, placed beneath the earth, for defusing near Parlakot village (PV 97) under Bande police station limits this morning, Kanker Additional Superintendent of Police CD Tandon told PTI.

After administering first aid to the injured security personnel at a local health centre, he was brought to district headquarter, he said.

All the latest from Chhattisgarh can be found on our coverage page here

Polling for 18 assembly seats of Chhattisgarh's Maoist stronghold areas began Monday morning on a dull note as several polling booths in the forested interiors were deserted.

The 'None of The Above' (NOTA) option, widely called 'Right to Reject', is also making its debut in India with Chhattisgarh polls Nov 11.

Voting begins in Chitrakoot (Bastar) #CGvotes pic.twitter.com/Q7W86qq295

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 11, 2013

Currently, the state is being led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the stewardship of Chief Minister Raman Singh.

Monday’s polls comes nearly six months after Naxals had ambushed a convoy of Congress leaders in Bastar, killing 27 people and virtually wiping out the entire party leadership, including state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, his son Dinesh, tribal leader Mahendra Karma who had founded the Salwa Judum and former legislator Uday Mudliyar.

Senior leader Vidya Charan Shukla, 84, succumbed to his injuries two weeks later.

A total of 4,142 polling booths have been set up for this phase of which 1,517 are sensitive booths while 1,311 are hyper-sensitive stations.

Two live bombs recovered from outside a polling booth in Chhattisgarh.

Alka Mudaliar,widow of Congress leader Uday Mudaliar killed in Darbha attack,to cast vote in Rajnandgaon #CGvotes pic.twitter.com/Cig0ne1MxS

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 11, 2013

Alka Mudaliar casts her vote in Rajnandgaon #CGvotes pic.twitter.com/EtIGAbuBza

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 11, 2013

Raman Singh is fighting this elections based on money power, he will lose, says Alka Mudaliar, widow of Congress leader Uday Mudaliar.

Voting for the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly polls in 18 constituencies of Naxal-hit Bastar region and Rajnandgaon district began on a slow note today with 10% electorate exercising their franchise in the first few hours, amid a bomb attack by Naxals in Kanker district that left a policeman injured.

"Polling in 12 constituencies of Bastar and one in Rajnandgaon district begun from 7 AM while in the rest of the seats in Rajnandgaon, it started at 8 AM. So far, around 10% polling has been registered," a official with the office of Chief Electoral Officer told PTI.

Voting, however, failed to kick start in two hyper sensitive polling booths - Chhote Pakhanjore and Sitaramaiyya- of Kanker as polling parties were unable to reach the destination owing to Naxal resistance, he said.

Bomb found near Abapalla, Bijapur by security forces.

Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers clashed in Jagdalpur and Konta assembly seats. Congress candidate from Jagdalpur seat Samu Kashyap was injured in the clash with BJP activists and was taken to hospital.

The voting for seats where polling began at 7 a.m. will conclude at 3 p.m. so that polling officials can return safely from Maoist areas by sunset.

Polling cancelled in 2 polling centers - Sitapur, Sitram as poll officials are unable to reach spot due to Maoist threat.

News reports of EVMs being looted are incorrect, Kanker collector has confirmed it, says Sunil Kujur, Chief Electoral Officer.

Photo by Arijit Sen

A clash broke out between supporters of BJP and Congress ahead of polling in naxal-hit Bastar district of Chhattisgarh today, following which cases were registered against members of both the groups, police said.

Cases have been registered against Congress candidate from Jagdalpur Assembly constituency Shamu Kashyap and his associates and also against Sunil Bafna, a relative of BJP candidate Santosh Bafna, and his party workers in connection with the clash, a senior police official said.

According to police, the problem began after Shamu Kashyap and his associate Prince Sardar entered into a heated argument with supporters of BJP candidate Satosh Bafna in Madpal village under Nagarnar police station limits in the wee hours today.

Congress alleged that BJP workers were carrying liquor in their vehicles for distribution among villagers in the region.

When Shamu Kashyap and friends stopped them, the workers allegedly thrashed them badly, it said.

Congress claimed that Kashyap and his associates were injured in the clash and were admitted to a local hospital in Jagdalpur.

For the sole general seat of Bastar region, Jagdalpur, BJP fielded sitting MLA Santosh Bafna while Congress chose a new face in Shamu Kashyap.

Women have come out to cast their vote in large numbers this time, around 20% voting in Bastar, claims CM Raman Singh.

Balloting picked up as the day progressed in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections Monday while a trooper was injured in a huge blast in Kanker and a candidate was left bloodied in a clash between Congress and BJP workers.

In Rajnandgaon, where BJP candidate and Chief Minister Raman Singh is contesting, women and youth could be seen queuing up at polling booths.

In urban areas such as Jagdalpur town, Kanker and in Rajnandgaon city, polling began at a brisk pace and long queues were seen at several booths.

15-20 IEDs recovered from Sukma,Kanker,Dantewada,Narayanpur : Ram Niwas,DGP #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/PJ3L2yjDVi

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 11, 2013

Television and other media reports said four EVMs were looted in the Koylibeda area of Kanker. Reports also said that polling has been stopped in 139 electoral booths, and that a gunbattle had taken place between the security forces and the rebels before ending a short while ago.

Zero polling in 42 booths due to Maoist threat.

Twenty-eight per cent of the electorate exercised their franchise till 11 AM during the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly polls in 18 constituencies of Naxal-hit Bastar region and Rajnandgaon district today.

No fresh violence has been reported so far in the region except a policeman sustaining injuries in morning during a pressure bomb blast in Kanker district.

"Polling in 12 constituencies of Bastar and one in Rajnandgaon district began from 7 AM while in the rest of the seats in Rajnandgaon, it started at 8 AM. So far, around 28 per cent polling has been registered," Joint Electoral Officer DD Singh told PTI.

Meanwhile, a presiding officer - Rajendra Mahapatra - at Balinga polling booth of Kondagaon district died of heart stroke this morning, an official said.

Arijit Sen

Watch a video that explain what is at stake in this election: Chhattisgarh polls: What does the 'Aam aadmi' wants from the govt

BJP nominee and state health minister Amar Agarwal, who has been representing Bilaspur in the 90-seat Chhattisgarh legislative assembly for the last ten years, faces tough challenge from Congress candidate and city mayor Vani Rao over lack of development and other issues.

Bilaspur, one of the major cities of Chhattisgarh will go to polls on November 19.

Maximum number of candidates have been fielded in two constituencies - Rajnandgaon and Jagdalpur (14 each) and least number of candidates are in Konta (4).

The fate of Raman Singh and his three ministers - Kedar Kashyap, Lata Usendi and Vikram Usendi - besides kin of the victims of Jiram valley Naxal attack will be sealed today.

"Even in places in Chhattisgarh where we had concerns polling is taking place smoothly," says Sushilkumar Shinde.

Photo by Arijit Sen

"Situation in Chhattisgarh is fully under control, there are long lines since morning," said Sushilkumar Shinde.

#Chhattisgarh police jawan injured in IED blast in Marpakanju in Kanker admitted in Ram Krishna hospital,Raipur pic.twitter.com/pi1t0gHGm9

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 11, 2013

Polling was suspended for a brief period at a polling booth in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district after firing, said authorities.

Polling was suspended for 10-15 minutes after suspected Maoists opened fire.

By 1 pm the polling percentage was between 30-35%.

Photo by Arijit Sen

Polling ends in 12 out of 18 seats in Bastar division.

Heavy firing going on between Maoists and security personnel in Nayanar, Dantewada. Firing going on in Polling booth No177.

CRPF jawan killed in Naxal firing in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

A lonely woman going to a polling booth to cast her vote, at Darbha valley in Jagdalpur during the first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh assembly on Monday 11 November 2013. This polling booth is close to the spot where May 25th incident of Naxal attack on congress leadership happened. In spite of poll boycott call this booth experienced more than 60% voting.

Photo by Arijit Sen

Another woman shows her inked thumb after casting her vote at Darbha valley in Jagdalpur during the first phase of polling.

Photo by Arijit Sen

By 1 pm, between 30 to 35% votes were cast, election officials said.

A total of 143 candidates were in the fray and their fate was sealed by about 2.9 million voters.  Read here 

67% turnout in first phase of assembly elections in eight Naxal-hit districts in Chhattisgarh today: Election Commission

2nd phase of polling in Chhattisgarh tday, 72 assembly constituencies go to polls(In Pic: Raipur polling center) pic.twitter.com/sDlTOp5yzG

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 19, 2013

Phase II of polling in Chhattisgarh begins.

Ajit Jogi among those in fray as the final phase sees 72 assembly constituencies going to polls.

Raman Singh who is the CM of the state already faced the litmus test in the first phase during which the constituency he represents went to the polls.

Voting began for 72 constituencies of 19 districts for the second and last phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly election amid high security.

A total of 843 candidates are contesting with an electorate of 1,39,75,470 in the last of the two-phase polls to the 90-member Assembly in the state where BJP government led by Chief Minister Raman Singh is eyeing for a hat-trick against the Congress.

Over one lakh security force personnel have been deployed across the state to ensure peaceful polling.

The polling will take place in central and north Chhattisgarh, where 72 each from the BJP, and Congress, are in the fray. There are 75 women contestants.

Maximum number of candidates are fielded in Raipur city south constituency where 38 nominees are in the fray, while least number of candidates is in Saraipali- 5.

The fate of state Assembly speaker Dharamlal Kaushik (Bilha constituency) and nine ministers- Home Minister Nanki Ram Kanwar (Rampur seat), School Education Minister Brijmohan Agrawal (Raipur city south), Housing and Environment Minister Rajesh Munat (Raipur city west), Health Minister Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur), Water Resources Minister Ramvichar Netam (Ramanujganj) and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Hemchand Yadav (Durg city), Agriculture Minister Chandrashekhar Sahu (Abhanpur), Punnulal Mohile (Mungeli) and Revenue and Rehabilitation minister Dayaldas Baghel (Nawagarh)-, state President of BJP Ramsewak Paikra (Pratappur) besides the leader of opposition Ravindra Choubey (Saja), wife of the former chief minister Ajit Jogi, Renu Jogi (Kota) will be decided in this phase.

Apart from that, the son of late PCC chief Nandkumar Patel, Umesh Patel (Kharsiya) and Ajit Jogi's son Amit Jogi (Marwahi) are also in the fray in the second phase.

Meanwhile security forces have been directed to stay alert in some districts of Sarguja division and Raipur division, located on inter-state border, where frequent movement of naxals had been witnessed.

According to police, naxals may create some trouble in Mahasamund, Gariyaband and Dhamtari of Raipur division bordering Odisha and Jashpur, Raigarh and Ambikapur in north Chhattisgarh during polling process.

Of the total number of candidates, 71,39,631 are men, 68,30,179 women and 5660 are service voters, while of the total 72 seats, 17 are reserved for Scheduled Tribe and 9 are reserved for Scheduled caste.

A total of 18015 polling booths have been set up for the second phase, of which 4594 are sensitive booths, while 1398 are hyper-sensitive stations.

As many as 20957 ballot units and 18015 control unit will be used in this phase. In 11 constituencies- Kota, Lormi, Takhatpur, Beltara, Chandrapur, Kasdol, Raipur city south, Durg city, Bhilai Nagar, Vaishali Nagar, Bemetara more than one ballot unit will be used. Three ballot units will be placed only in Raipur city south.

Around 80,000 officials have been involved for conducting poll on Nov 19.

A record 75.53% voting was registered in the first phase of polling held on Nov 11 for 18 constituencies of naxal affected Bastar division and Rajnandgaon district. Counting will take place on December 8.

Voters queued up in large numbers in urban as well as in rural areas polling booths much before the start of voting at 8 am.

In the first phase of ballotting, 18 seats, majority located in Maoists stronghold, went to the polls Nov 11.

Over 1.39 crore voters, including 68.30 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise at 18,015 polling booths to decide the fate of 843 candidates of which 75 are women.

Ajit Jogi reaches Gorela polling booth in Kota (Bilaspur) to cast his vote pic.twitter.com/nMjwLBUznD

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 19, 2013

Chhattisgarh state assembly elections, 2013: News, updates and all you need to know

The main battle is between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has governed Chhattisgarh since 2003, and the Congress. So far no signs of violence has been reported.

Voters queued up in large numbers in urban as well as in rural areas polling booths much before the start of voting at 8 am. While the electoral exercise is underway, reports suggested that the tribal state may he heading for a photo finish. In the first phase of ballotting, 18 seats, majority located in Maoists stronghold, went to the polls Nov 11. As many as 3,000 cameras have been installed at the polling booths to ensure free and fair polls.

I am confident of a victory in Chhattisgarh, we will get 55-60 seats-Amit Jogi,Congress pic.twitter.com/Xyq10TYeie

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 19, 2013

Look at our complete coverage of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections

About 30 percent voting was recorded till noon Tuesday in the 72 assembly constituencies in the second phase of elections in Chhattisgarh, an election official said.

More than four million voters cast their ballot by noon.

There was heavy polling in a few assembly constituencies, including Marwahi.

Congress leader Ajit Jogi's son Amit Jogi is contesting from Marwahi that recorded in excess of 40 percent voting by noon.

Governor Shekhar Dutt, Chief Minister Raman Singh, state Assembly Speaker Dharamlal Kaushik and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Ravindra Choubey exercised their franchise in their respective constituencies.

No untoward incident has been reported so far from any part of the state.

"So far the elections in 72 constituencies of 19 districts have been incident-free and 30 per cent polling was recorded till 12 noon," a senior election official told PTI.

EVMs were changed at around 10 polling stations due to some technical problems, he said.

State Governor Shekhar Dutt cast his vote in Raipur city north seat where BJP's Srichand Sundarani and Congress' sitting MLA Kuldeep Singh Juneja are in close contest.

Chief Minister Raman Singh voted in his hometown, which falls in Kawardha constituency.

On this seat, BJP has denied ticket to its sitting MLA and given an opportunity to Ashok Sahu, while Congress has pitted its senior leader Mohammad Akbar.

Speaker Dharamlal Kaushik exercised his vote in Bilha constituency. He had won this seat against Congress candidate Siyaram Kaushik by 6,070 votes in 2008 elections. Congress has given another opportunity to Siyaram from the same seat.

Ravindra Choubey voted in his home constituency Saja.

According to police, Naxals may try to create trouble in Mahasamund, Gariyaband and Dhamtari of Raipur division bordering Odisha and Jashpur, Raigarh and Ambikapur in north Chhattisgarh during polling process.

More than 10 million votes were cast on Tuesday in the second and final phase of elections for the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly, in a peaceful exercise that was marred only by the death of one man in a trooper's gun fire. Read full report