Chhattisgarh polls highlights: 71.93% turnout; Raman Singh predicts BJP win
Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2018 witnessed 71.93% voter turnout till 6 PM in phase 2. Track live updates here
4:32 PM
The contenders
- A total of 1,079 candidates are in the fray
- Both the Congress and the BJP are contesting all the 72 seats
- The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is in the fray for 25 seats and its ally and former Chief Minister Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) in 46 seats
- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded candidates in 66 constituencies
4:29 PM
The Congress demanded suspension and arrest of BJP candidate Siddhnath Paikra in Samri in Balrampur district for "distributing money" to voters.
4:29 PM
The EC has rejected the allegations of widespread malfunctioning of the voting machines and asserted that the faulty machines were promptly replaced without any disruption to the voting process. "At the 19,336 polling stations being used in second phase using 25,640 Ballot Units (BUs), 19,336 Control Units (CUs) and 19,336 VVPATs, only 47 BUs, 37 CUs and 131 VVPATs have needed replacement during the polls. Given sufficient reserves available, the said replacements were handled swiftly by the local polling personnel," EC Spokesperson Sheyphali Sharan said.
4:24 PM
From first-time voters to centenarians, people from all walks of life queued up to vote as the day progressed. Among the oldest to vote were 106-year-old Samudri Patel from Baikunthpur in Korea district and 102-year-old Raj Kunwar from Boriyakala in Raipur district.
4:23 PM
EVMs malfunctioned in several booths across Dhamtari, Jashpur, Raipur, Ambikapur and Korba constituencies, with the Congress accusing the state's ruling BJP of indulging in "electoral malpractices" and "attempting to disrupt" the poll process.
4:22 PM
The highest turnout was recorded in Bhatgaon at 54.30 per cent followed by Jashpur at 51.20 per cent. It was lowest in Raipur City North with 36.40 per cent and Raipur City South at 39.70 per cent.
4:20 PM
The fate of 10 ministers, including Brijmohan Agrawal (Raipur South), Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur) and Rajesh Munat (Raipur West), among others, is also at stake in the second phase of polling.
4:15 PM
Ajit Jogi is contesting from Marwahi, his wife, Renu Jogi, from Konta, and his daughter-in-law, Richa Jogi, from Akaltara on BSP ticket. Jogi's new political outfit, the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh, is contesting the polls in alliance with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party.
4:11 PM
Jogi's entire family, except his son, Amit Jogi, are contesting the crucial Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh and they say their main aim is to ensure the defeat of both the BJP and the Congress in the state.
4:06 PM
Third force in the elections this time
While Raman Singh has been the chief minister for 15 years in the state's 18-year history, traditionally the main challenger for the BJP has been the Congress. However, there is a third force in the elections this time in the form of former chief minister Ajit Jogi's alliance with Dalit leader Mayawati.
4:02 PM
Fate of many star candidates to be sealed on Tuesday
From former chief minister Ajit Jogi to his two family members -- IAS-turned-politician O P Choudhry and Sarguja's former royal T S Singhdeo -- there are many high-profile candidates whose fate would be sealed on Tuesday in the second phase of polling in this tribal-dominated state.
From former chief minister Ajit Jogi to his two family members -- IAS-turned-politician O P Choudhry and Sarguja's former royal T S Singhdeo -- there are many high-profile candidates whose fate would be sealed on Tuesday in the second phase of polling in this tribal-dominated state.
3:37 PM
When asked to comment on the Congress leaders approaching Election Commission about alleged EVM tampering by the BJP, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister stated, "They (Congress) carry out such moves in order to find an excuse for being defeated. This is their old strategy...."
3:34 PM
3:33 PM
3:32 PM
BJP will get 65-plus seats: Raman Singh
Talking to reporters, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh stated, "I can see that the people of Chhattisgarh have come out in large number to exercise their franchise despite residing in rural and outskirts areas. After looking at the mood of the people, I am sure that BJP will again win and would get 65 plus seats. The development of the region has taken place from the time BJP has come to power and we are sure that we will emerge victorious. This time during the first phase of voting even Naxal-hit areas such Bastar the voter turn out was 80 per cent to 82 per cent." (Read more here)
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First Published: Nov 20 2018 | 7:04 AM IST