The voter turnout in 18 Assembly constituencies in the first phase of Chhattisgarh elections on Monday was around 70 per cent, the Election Commission (EC) said.

Polling began on a slow note in many constituencies, but gradually picked up momentum, the EC said.

The voting in nine seats of Bastar division and one seat in Rajnandgaon district began at 7 am, while in the other eight seats, it started at 8 am.

The turnout was likely to go up as the final figures were yet to be received, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said.

“Around 65 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 3 pm in 18 assembly constituencies in the first phase of Chhattisgarh elections on Monday,” the poll official said.

Of the 18 seats, 12 were reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and one was for the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
The second phase of polling in 72 seats will be held on November 20 and the results will be announced on December 11.

Tags: Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections, Election Commission, Elections