Chhattisgarh records 77% total turnout in two phases

Raipur, November 21

Chhattisgarh has recorded 77% total turnout in two rounds of polls held in 90 assembly constituencies onNovember 11 and 19. In the first phase, the State had witnessed 75.53% turnout while the voting in second round reached to 78.50%. Though re-polling would be done in a couple of polling stations, the officials of Chief Electoral Officer say the final voting percent would not fluctuate too much.

The 2013 assembly polls turnout created history in 13-year-old State as it is seven percent higher than 2008 polls and six percent higher than 2003 polls. The voting in 2003 and 2008 was 71% and 70.34%. Interestingly, the polling in 2008 dipped by 0.66% as compared to 2003 despite the BJP coming power for second consecutive time.

While the Congress terms rise in turnout as impact of anti-incumbency factor, the BJP claims that it was pro-incumbency factor that prompted people to come out of their homes and vote for it again.

Among 90 constituencies, Kurud marked highest voting with 88.31% while Konta recorded lowest turnout, i.e. 48.36%. The 2013 polls in State is significant for Election Commission too as its preparations helped it achieving over 70% turnout in 75 constituencies. The voting percent in rest of 15 constituencies too remained satisfactory as compared to previous two polls.

The turnout gap between rural and urban areas too shrunk this time as urbanites displayed extra bit of enthusiasm in exercising their franchise, though villagers outnumbered them again. One major reason behind marked rise in urban turnout was young voters who cast their vote for the first time.

In the first phase, polling in two booths of Antagarh constituency, Chhote Pakhanjoor and Sitaram, could not be done as the polling parties returned from the midway after naxal firing. Now, the EC will conduct re-polling in these booths on November 23. The polling will be done from 7 am to 3 pm. Except these booths, the turnout in Antagarh was 76.49%.

The EC is also likely to announce re-polling in Kamreed and Bamhanipali polling stations of Sarangarh constituency and Bhinderwani booth of Saja constituency. The polling was done in both the constituencies in second phase. However, zero voting was recorded in Kamreed and Bamhanipali booths as the voters had boycotted polls while polling in Bhinderwani was adjourned after tension gripped the area when a miscreant became victim of police firing.