Chhattisgarh reported a voter turnout of 74.7 per cent in the second phase of the Assembly elections, which covered 72 constituencies. In the 2008 Assembly polls, these 72 constituencies had reported a turnout of 71.09 per cent. In phase 1 (Naxal-hit areas), the final voter turnout was at 75.53 per cent.

“This is a tentative figure as when polls closed at 5 p.m. there were still persons waiting in the line to vote. This is the highest ever voter turnout. The elections were very peaceful and voter turnout was impressive. There was one incidence of violence with one person losing their life in a scuffle,” senior Election Commission officials told newspersons on Tuesday evening. In phase 1 the final voter turnout was at 75.53 per cent.

There were some districts adjoining Naxal-affected areas of neighbouring states in phase 2 stage of elections, while phase 1 of the state elections was mostly in Naxal-affected areas, officials said.

During phase 2, one constituency had 38 candidates which was the maximum in the state while the minimum saw five candidates contest from a single constituency. In at least 11 constituencies there were more than 16 candidates each, EC officials said.

During the latest phase of Chhattisgarh elections, more than Rs 8.69 crore of cash and other items were seized while over 38,000 litres of alcohol worth over Rs 1.3 crore was also seized, officials said.

ashwini.phadnis@thehindu.co.in

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