The first phase of the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh started on Monday, November 12. The first phase involves 18 Assembly constituencies – out of this one is a Scheduled Caste and 12 are Scheduled Tribe reserved seats. Twelve of the 18 seats are in Bastar area – a forested area where Maoists are said to be dominant and “active”. The first phase involves the “Maoist-affected” areas because the Election Commission wanted the security personnel to be fully alert and energetic in this region. In subsequent phases of elections, the same security personnel move to other areas and they are naturally tired having continuously worked for so long. Therefore, the EC wants this area to be covered early on.
According to OP Rawat, Chief Election Commissioner, 16,500 polling personnel were sent by road and another 900 personnel were sent by helicopters to the polling booths to conduct elections. Elections are being held in 4,336 polling stations.
The next phase of elections in Chhattisgarh is scheduled on November 20 – when elections for the remaining 72 seats will be conducted. Counting for both phases will be held on the same day – December 11.
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