07-11-2023 : In the first phase of assembly polls, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram witnessed substantial voter turnout, albeit under different circumstances. Chhattisgarh’s provisional voter turnout stood at approximately 71%, while Mizoram recorded an impressive over 77% voter turnout.
Chhattisgarh conducted its polling in the shadow of Naxal violence, particularly in the Naxalite-hit Bastar division. To ensure security, nearly 1 lakh security personnel were deployed for the first phase of polls. By 5 pm, the voter turnout reached 70.87%, with expectations that the figure would rise as more data arrived from remote districts. Out of the 20 seats for which polling took place, 12 were reserved for Scheduled Tribes. A total of 223 candidates, including 25 women, participated in the election. Approximately 40,78,681 eligible voters exercised their franchise during the first phase. In the previous assembly polls, a voter turnout of 76.47% was recorded for 18 seats in the first phase. This time, two additional constituencies were included in the first phase. Unfortunately, incidents of violence were reported from Sukma, Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Kanker districts, with four security personnel getting injured in a clash with Naxalites in the Sukma district.
In Mizoram, the polling process concluded with an impressive voter turnout of over 77%, featuring 8.57 lakh voters exercising their right to vote. As per the Election Commission data at 6 pm, 77.39% voter turnout was recorded. The voting percentage is expected to reach 80% once final reports come in from far-away districts. During the 2018 state polls, Mizoram saw an overall voter turnout of 81.61%. The polling process in all 1,276 polling stations was peaceful, with Serchhip, in central Mizoram, recording the highest polling percentage of 84.49%, closely followed by Hnahthial (84.16%) and Khawzawl (82.39%). Aizawl district witnessed the lowest turnout at 73.09%. The major political parties in Mizoram, including the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the main opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), and the Congress, fielded candidates in all 40 seats. The BJP contested 23 constituencies, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominated candidates in four assembly segments. Additionally, there were 27 independent candidates. In the 2018 polls, the MNF had secured 26 out of the 40 seats, with the ZPM winning eight constituencies and the Congress securing five assembly segments, placing third. The BJP clinched one seat.
The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, who also serves as the MNF’s president, expressed confidence in his party’s performance, aiming to secure at least 25 seats in the assembly. These election results reflect the participation and engagement of citizens in the democratic process, despite challenging circumstances.