Polling percentage in Chhattisgarh dips as compared to 2013

Chhattisgarh recorded a total of 74.17 per cent turnout, with more than 1.85 crore electors cast their votes. In the second phase of polling held Tuesday in 72 assembly seats, the voter turnout was recorded at 71.93 per cent till 6 PM. The overall turnout is less by nearly three per cent as compared to the last elections, the Election Commission said on Tuesday.

State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Subrat Sahoo said the final turnout percentage may rise. "An average turnout of 71.93 per cent was recorded in 72 constituencies till 6 pm. The polling was completely peaceful and incident-free. The polling time ended at 5 pm but those voters who were still in line were given tokens and allowed to vote," Sahoo said at a press conference after the polling in Ranchi on Tuesday evening.

During polling, 114 ballot units, 89 control units and 359 VVPATs of EVMs were replaced due to technical snag, he said. Naxal-affected Assembly constituencies in Kabirdham, Gariaband, Mahasamund, Balod and Balrampur districts witnessed peaceful polling, Sahoo said.

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