Assembly elections 2023: Chhattisgarh records 67.34% voter turnout, MP sees 71.11% voting

A total of 70 Assembly seats in Chhattisgarh went to polls in the second phase while elections were held in all the 230 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh

The Election Commission (EC) on November 17 said that the tentative voter turnout till 5 pm was 67.34 percent in Chhattisgarh and 71.11 percent in Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh went to the polls to elect members for its 230-seat assembly, while the final phase of elections was held in Chhattisgarh for its 70-seat assembly. According to EC, the voting percentage is likely to "go upwards" when reports from all the polling stations, including those in remote regions, are obtained. It also said 100 percent enrolment was achieved among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Madhya Pradesh. "With a concerted effort to facilitate voting amongst the tribal communities, 100 percent enrolment was achieved among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) residing in Madhya Pradesh," said Chief Election Commissioner Reena Kangale.

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh Elections | Violence reported at polling booths 147-148 of Dimani Assembly constituency, in Mirghan, Morena when stone pelting ensued between two sides. One person injured in stone pelting. The situation is now under control. pic.twitter.com/AeqFhuEUQp

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— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2023

Chhattisgarh has a total of 958 candidates, including Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his deputy T S Singh Deo, eight state ministers and four Members of Parliament vying for victory. Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, a total of 2,533 candidates are in the fray with the main battle for power between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. The counting of votes will take place on December 3 for both states.

Congress leader Kamal Nath expressed hope that the people of the state would make the right decision as they are “unhappy with corruption, unemployment, farmers' problems, small traders' problems”.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said Congress was confident of winning more than 75 seats in the election. He said there was no competition and the fight was one-sided.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed confidence that his party will come to power with a majority in both states. While ending the campaigning in Madhya Pradesh on November 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to elect BJP for the state’s development. He said that people were “very angry with the dynastic and negative” politics of Congress.

Meanwhile, Bhind and Morena, the two sensitive areas of Madhya Pradesh, witnessed violence during the polling. According to media reports, BJP candidate Rakesh Shukla sustained minor injuries. Reports say that police had to be called in to control the situation. The stone pelting caused damage to Shukla’s car as well. In another incident, stone-pelting was reported at two polling booths of the Dimani Assembly constituency at Mirghan in Morena district.

In another development, An ITBP jawan was killed in an IED blast in Chhattisgarh’s Gariyaband district while providing security cover to a polling party. Gariyaband shares its border with Odisha and is close to the Maoist-affected Bastar region.