Raipur: The initial phase of voting commenced in Chhattisgarh on November 7, 2023, at 7 am. This phase includes 20 assembly seats, with voting taking place in two sessions across 5304 polling stations. The key issues in this election include corruption, tribal concerns, and the role of liquor in the state.

It is worth noting that in the previous elections, the Congress party secured a significant victory in Chhattisgarh. However, the BJP is making a concerted effort to stage a comeback this time. Voting for the remaining 70 assembly seats in Chhattisgarh is scheduled for November 17, with vote counting to be conducted on December 3. The outcome of these elections will determine which party will come to power in Chhattisgarh. Most of the 20 seats where voting is being held are situated in Naxal-affected areas, encompassing districts such as Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker, Kawardha, and Rajnandgaon.

Out of the 20 seats, voting will take place from 8 am to 5 pm in 10 constituencies, including Pandaria, Kawardha, Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot, and Bastar. The remaining 10 assembly constituencies, namely Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Konkar, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Konta, will conduct voting from 7 am to 3 pm.

According to the data provided by the Election Commission, a total of 40,78,689 voters will cast their votes in the first phase of Chhattisgarh elections in 2023, with a higher number of female voters than male voters. Among these 40 lakh voters, more than 19 lakh are men, and over 20 lakh are women. This time, approximately 1.6 lakh people, aged between 18 and 19, are first-time voters.

The main contest in Chhattisgarh is expected to be between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Currently, the state is governed by the Congress party under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. A total of 223 candidates, including 25 women, are competing for the 20 seats in the first phase. Of these, 13 out of 20 seats are reserved for SC/ST candidates. Notably, the Congress party has either revoked the tickets of six of its sitting MLAs or fielded different candidates in their place for this phase in 2023.

Key battles to watch include:

Rajnandgaon: Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh, is contesting from his stronghold in Rajnandgaon. He is being challenged by Giris Devangan from the Congress party.

Konta: Chhattisgarh minister Kawasi Lakhma is seeking re-election in this reserved seat, facing competition from BJP's Soyam Muka.

Kondagaon: Sitting MLA and former state Congress president, Mohan Markam, is contesting against BJP's new state vice president, Lata Usendi.

Bahanupratappur: Savita Mandavi, the wife of the late MLA Manoj Mandavi, is running for elections from this assembly constituency.

Chitrakoot: BJP's Vinayak Goyal is pitted against Chhattisgarh Congress President and MP Deepak Baij.

Kawardha: A total of 16 candidates are vying for this seat, with the Congress fielding Mohammad Akbar, the Transport Minister of the Bhupesh Baghel government, against BJP's Vijay Sharma.

In the 2018 Chhattisgarh elections, Congress secured victory in 17 out of the 20 seats that went to polls in the first phase. The BJP won two seats, and Ajit Jogi's party, Janata Congress Chhattisgarh, secured one seat. Overall, Congress performed strongly in Chhattisgarh in 2018, winning 68 out of 90 seats and receiving 43.9 percent of the total votes.

Conducting voting in Naxal-affected regions presents a significant challenge due to threats and attacks by Naxalites, which necessitate enhanced security measures. Additionally, accessing polling stations in these areas can be difficult. The Election Commission has implemented various measures to facilitate voting in Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, including deploying additional security forces, improving polling station accessibility, and encouraging voters. Approximately 60,000 soldiers have been deployed in the Bastar division for this phase of voting.

The day before the election, an IED blast occurred in Chhattisgarh, resulting in injuries to two individuals, including a BSF jawan. The blast took place in Kanker, and police reported that a joint party of BSF and District Force was affected by a pressure IED while en route to a polling station. In addition, Naxalites planted an IED in Murhadpur village of Narayanpur district, resulting in an ITBP constable's injury during neutralization.

In Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has faced allegations of involvement in corruption related to the 'Mahadev' betting app. A viral video implicated him in receiving Rs 508 crore.

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