People came out in large numbers defying a call by Maoists to boycott the election. Polling took place amid heavy security in the tribal region even as the day was marred by two encounters between security forces and insurgents, killing one CRPF soldier in the Dantewada district.
However, nobody turned up to vote in at least 45 booths spread across Konta, Bijapur and Dantewada. Polling was cancelled at Chhote Pakhanjore and Sitram areas of Antagarh district as the election staff could not reach there due to resistance by insurgents.
The fate of 143 candidates, including chief minister, Dr Raman Singh, and three other sitting cabinet ministers, was sealed on the day. According to EC officials the polling percentage till 5pm was around 67% and was expected to rise further, as data from some polling booths was still awaited.
The Rajnandgaon constituency, from where the chief minister is seeking a re-election, recorded the highest polling of over 78%. The Maoists hotbeds of Konta and Bijapur recorded low polling of 40% and 24% respectively.
Despite the heightened Naxalite threat, the polling percentage is expected to touch the 70% mark, as compared to 66.85% in 2008 assembly elections. Incidentally, Bijapur recorded a lower polling of 24% as compared to 28.94% in 2008.
According to EC officials, there were a total of 4,142 polling booths in the 18 constituencies of which 1,517 were classified as “sensitive” and 1,311 as “hyper-sensitive”. Over 56,000 security personnel (562 companies) were reportedly deployed for the phase 1 polling. Over 100,000 security personnel were reportedly deployed for the first phase polling.
