Chhattisgarh: "People reaching polling booths with enthusiasm...", says Bastar IG

Bastar is the only seat among the 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state where polling is taking place in the first phase of elections.

"Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 has begun in Bastar. People are reaching the polling booths with enthusiasm and confidence. Three-layer cordon security arrangements have been made in the area, and additional forces have also been deployed. Besides this, in border areas, special forces of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha are also cooperating with us in maintaining security," IG P Sundarraj told ANI.

The rest of the seats will go to the polls on April 26 and May 7.

Earlier today, Congress candidate from Bastar, Kawasi Lakhma exercised his franchise at a polling booth here. He is facing BJP's Mahesh Kashyap.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma asked people to vote in large numbers to achieve a 100 per cent voter turnout in Bastar.

"Bastar is voting today in the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. I appeal to all the voters of the Bastar Parliamentary constituency to cast their votes. The voting percentage should be 100 per cent in Bastar," he said.

The BJP, which has a stronghold in Chhattisgarh, won 9 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha, while the Congress was limited to only 2 seats, including Bastar. Deepak Baij of the Congress party emerged victorious in Bastar.

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories as the mega seven-phase electoral exercise commenced at 7:00 am.

Voters will exercise their franchise until 6:00 pm. According to the data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 1.87 lakh polling stations have been set up, while 18 lakh personnel have been deployed across the 102 constituencies going to the polls. (ANI)