Today marks the ongoing voting for the conclusive phase of Chhattisgarh's elections, encompassing the remaining 70 seats of the 90-member Assembly.
This crucial phase will decide the electoral fortunes of several prominent figures, including Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Deputy T.S. Singh Deo, and BJP's state president Arun Sao.
With over 18,800 polling stations established, voting commenced at 8 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m.
However, in the Maoist-affected Bindranawagarh seat in Gariaband district, polling in nine booths—Kamarbhaudi, Amamora, Odh, Bade Gobra, Ganwargaon, Gariba, Nagesh, Sahbinkachhar, and Kodomali—will occur from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to security concerns.
A total of 958 candidates are vying for the 70 seats, including CM Baghel, Deputy CM T.S. Singh Deo, eight state ministers, and four Members of Parliament.
Similar to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh is witnessing a head-to-head contest between the BJP and Congress.
The BJP's campaign saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking the forefront, addressing four rallies and targeting the current Bhupesh Baghel-led government on issues such as corruption and the alleged Mahadev betting app scam.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and state party leaders, including CM Bhupesh Baghel, conducted extensive campaigns.
The initial phase of elections for 20 out of the 90 Assembly seats occurred on November 7, registering a 78 per cent voter turnout. The counting is scheduled for December 3, coinciding with four other states—Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram.
The BJP, having held power in the state from 2003 to 2018, aims to replace the current Congress government led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
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