Team News Riveting
Raipur, December 2
Even as decks are clear for the counting of votes for the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, the first results are likely to come from the constituencies associated with the steel production and mining.
The electoral fate of 1181 candidates, who contested the 2023 state polls in Chhattisgarh, have been locked in the electronic voting machines (EVMs). The state that has 90 members in the legislative assembly, went to the polls in two phases on November 7 and 17. The counting of votes will take place on December 3.
Chhattisgarh’s Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale said all necessary preparations had been completed for the counting of votes in the state. A thick security blanket has been thrown open to ensure completion of votes counting, she said, adding that no person will be allowed to enter the counting room without an authorization letter.
The entire vote counting process will be captured in the video. Barring the observer and the returning officer, no one will be allowed to take mobile phones and other electronic devices into the counting room.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that 14 tables would be installed for each assembly constituency for the counting of votes. Counting of votes will begin simultaneously on all the tables after 8.30 am.
Ms Kangale said out of the 90 assembly seats in the state, counting would take place in Kawardha constituency in maximum 30 rounds. It would be followed by Kasdol where votes would be counted in 29 rounds. Bhilai Nagar and Manendragarh are two assembly constituencies where votes would be counted in minimum rounds.
In both the constituencies, election results would be known after 12 rounds of counting. The election officials said the first result for the Chhattisgarh assembly elections 2023 was likely to come from Bhilai Nagar or Manendragarh constituencies. Interestingly, both the constituencies are associated with the industry sector.
Bhilai Nagar assembly houses Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a leading arm of state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Manendragarh is endowed with a vast reserve of coal and public sector companies are mining in the area.
According to election officials, 76.31 per cent voters turned out was reported in Chhattisgarh, which is marginally less than 2018 polls that recorded 76.88 per cent polling. They added that the first result was likely to be out by the afternoon on Sunday.
Chhattisgarh is witnessing a direct contest between the ruling Congress and the BJP that ruled Chhattisgarh for 15 years in succession till 2018.
