Polling for the second and final phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections began on Tuesday. Seventy two constituencies spread over 19 districts are going to polls in this phase. Voting, which began at 8 am, will end at 5 pm.
More than nineteen thousand three hundred polling stations have been set up. As many as one thousand seventy nine candidates, including one hundred and nineteen women, are in the fray. Over one crore fifty four lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.
The Election Commission has made all arrangements to ensure free and fair polls. About 600 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed. Flying squads are keeping a close watch on illegal consignment of liquor, cash and other items meant to influence the polls.
The Election Commission has also set up 118 'Sangwari' polling booths in various constituencies to encourage women to cast their votes. These women friendly booths will be operated by all-female staff. Each polling centre will also have a Voter Selfie Zone to encourage young voters to exercise their franchise.
Polling for the first phase took place on the 12th of this month in 18 constituencies of the state.
