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The Bastar division of Chhattisgarh witnessed mostly peaceful polling during the first phase of assembly elections on Tuesday, despite a few incidents of violence. In a total of 20 constituencies, the recorded voter turnout stood at 70.87 percent until 5 pm, as per data from the Election Commission.
Notably, the Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district recorded the highest voter turnout, with an impressive 76.31 percent. In contrast, the Naxal-affected Bijapur district had the lowest turnout at 40.98 percent by the same time.
During the polling, there were four encounters reported, as well as one incident involving an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast. However, it’s worth mentioning that despite these isolated incidents, the overall polling process was largely peaceful.
In one such incident, three security personnel were reported to have sustained injuries in the Minpa area, which lies between Tadmetla and Duled in Sukma district of the Bastar division. This confrontation occurred as security forces engaged in a gunfight with armed members of the banned CPI Maoists, underscoring the persistent challenges posed by Naxal insurgents in the region.
The successful conduct of the first phase of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections serves as a testament to the dedication and resilience of both voters and security forces, who ensured that the democratic process moved forward despite the threats and challenges. The focus now shifts to the subsequent phases of the elections, with hopes for continued peace and high voter turnout.
