Despite the Maoists’ call for poll boycott and a terror threat looming large, there was 12 per cent more vote cast in Bastar this time round, compared to the last lok Sabha election.
The highest 78.86 per cent voting was registered in Bastar areas and the lowest per cent of 31.10 was recorded in Konta region. The polling teams from all the polling centres have returned safe to the district headquarters. Now the work of entering the figures into records in order is being carried out, official sources here informed.
Sources said that the first phase of polls conducted in the Bastar lok Sabha constituency on April 10 registered 78.86 per cent polling, 31.10 per cent in Konta, 74.43 per cent in Kondagaon, 70.22 per cent in Jagadalpur, 66.25 per cent in Narayanpur, 65.63 per cent in Chitrakot, 50.03 per cent in Dantewada and 35.05 per cent in Bijapur Assembly segments. As such, a total 78.86 per cent votes were cast in Bastar lok Sabha constituency, whereas, in the 2009 election only 47.33 per cent votes were cast.
According to Joint Chief Electoral Officer of the Election Commission, DD Singh, barring some incidents, polling was peaceful in Bastar. After the polling, Naxalites attacked one polling team which claimed the lives of seven people. Figures of the polling have come out and the work of entering them into records is being done. In comparison to last election, 12 per cent more polling has been registered this time, he added.
The second phase of election would be held in the State in Mahasamund, Kanker and Rajnandgaon lok Sabha constituencies on April 17. Preparation for it has been started. Ample security arrangement has been provided for the smooth conduct of the polls. On the other hand, continuous vigil is being maintained on the election expenses of the candidates and efforts are being made to avoid any violation of the code of conduct.
Eight candidates, including two women, were in the fray in Bastar. In the Bastar lok Sabha constituency comprising eight Assembly areas spread in six districts has 12,98,971 electorates, including 6,65,290 women voters. Total 1,797 polling booths were established in the constituency, out of which 1,407 polling centres were unapproachable. In order to avoid any kind of chaos in the election foolproof security arrangements had been done.
