Chhattisgarh Polls Phase 1: 6 out of 20 Seats Saw More Voting than in 2018; 9 Had over 80% Turnout

The assembly polls in 20 constituencies in Chhattisgarh saw a 76.47% voter turnout, according to the updated figures issued by the Election Commission on Wednesday. As many as six seats saw more voting than in the 2018 election while nine witnessed more than 80% voter turnout, numbers analysed by News18 shows.

In 2018, 10 of these assemblies reported more than 80% turnout while the average voter turnout was around 77%.

On Tuesday, voting for 20 constituencies was held in two time slots – 7 am to 3 pm in half of the seats and from 8 am to 5 pm in another half.

Bastar rejects Naxal threat

The numbers from Chief Electoral Officers, Chhattisgarh, issued on Wednesday show that Naxal-affected Bastar witnessed the highest turnout among the 20 seats, at 84.65% – in 2018 this was 83.37%. In 2013, Bastar reported an 84.28% voter turnout, data from the Election Commission of India shows. With an 84% turnout, Dongargaon was next on the list. In the last assembly election, the figure for the seat was 85.43%.

Other constituencies that witnessed more than 80% voter turnouts included Khujji (82.81%), Keshkal (81.79%), Kondagaon (81.73%), Dongargarh (81.52%), Chitrakot (80.36%), Bhanupratappur (80%), and Rajnandgaon (80%).

Dantewada, Konta record biggest jump in voter turnout

Among the 20 seats, Dantewada registered the highest increase in voter turnout – from 60.64% in 2018 to 67.71% in 2023. Konta is next, reporting an increase from 55.3% in 2018 to 61.5% this time. Antagarh (78.04%) and Bhanupratappur (80%) also witnessed voter turnouts higher than 2018 along with Bastar and Rajnandgaon.

Among the constituencies that reported a drastic drop in voter turnout was Kawardha – from 82.5% in 2018 to 74.89% in 2023. Another was Khairagarh – from 84.51% to 78.68% – and Pandariya – from 77.84% in 2018 to 73.67% this time.

Narayanpur – from 75.03% in 2018 to 72.98% this time – and Bijapur – from 48.9% to 46% – were also among the seats that reported a significant drop in voter turnout, the data shows.

The second phase of the election in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 17 and the counting of votes will be done on December 3.