Mizoram CM Zoramthanga casts his vote, says, \”I believe that we shall be able to form the government and we shall be having an overwhelming victory in my constituency \’Aizawl East 1\’.\”
Chhattisgarh Elections: CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel says, \”Naxalism has retreated to a great extent with the work we have done in 5 years. As a result, polling booths have been set up inside villages. People will vote in their village itself. There is a possibility of high voting percentage in naxal affected areas.\”
\”…Congress manifesto mentions all of these…Chhattisgarh Congress has always stood for the welfare of common people…\” he added.
In a post in Hindi on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, \”Chhattisgarhiya sable badhiya! Today the first phase of voting has started in Chhattisgarh state. We appeal to every voter, especially the youth who are voting for the first time, to vote.\” \”We have full confidence that just governance in Chhattisgarh will continue and faith in democracy will remain intact,\” he said.
In a post in Hindi on X, Rahul Gandhi said, \”When you exercise your franchise, remember, Congress\’ trustworthy government once again in Chhattisgarh.\” \”Congress\’s guarantee to Chhattisgarh: Farmers loan waiver; purchase of 20 quintal/acre paddy; Rs 10,000/year to the landless; Rs 3,200 MSP on paddy; Rs 6,000/sack on tendu leaves; Rs 4000/year bonus for Tendupatta; 200 units electricity free; Rs 500 subsidy on gas cylinder; free education from KG to PG; free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh; housing for 17.5 lakh families; caste census.\” \”Whatever we promise, we deliver\” the former Congress president asserted.
Former Chhattisgarh CM and BJP leader Raman Singh performs pooja at his residence before casting his vote for Chhattisgarh Assembly elections from Rajnandgaon.
A 96-year-old visually impaired voter, Pu Zadawla who refused to cast his vote through postal ballot has cast his vote today in 1417 Saron Veng-II, Aizawl for the Mizoram Assembly elections.
A voter turnout of 9.33 per cent has been recorded in Chhattisgarh after two hours of voting till 9 am, according to the data of the Election Commission of India. In Mizoram, 7.67 per cent of voters have turned up so far to exercise their franchise.
Chhattisgarh Elections: Voting is being held in the naxal-affected Karigundam area in Sukma after 23 years. The polling process is being held under the security cover by CRPF 150 Battalion and District Force.
Mizoram Assembly Elections: Pu Rualhnudala, 101 years old and his wife Pi Thanghleithluaii, 86 years old cast their votes at 24/18 Ruantlang PS under 24-Champhai South Assembly Constituency.
Chhattisgarh Elections: A first-time voter, Anisha speaks to ANI, \”…We expect all our issues to be resolved…Many a time candidates say that they will resolve the issues but leave (after elections) to not be seen anywhere.\”
Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati cast vote, says, \”Mizoram is a literate state, literacy rate is very high. People are also aware of their rights. I appeal to all the people of Mizoram to vote and participate in the election and strengthen democracy…I think in Mizoram, people are well aware of their rights and the percentage of voting is very high. This time also I expect the percentage to be very high.\”
Congress candidate from Kondagaon assembly constituency in Chhattisgarh, Mohan Markam says: \”There is no difficulty. People are enthusiastic and we believe that we will be successful in forming the government again based on the work that our government has done in the last 5 years.\”
Mizoram Elections: Congress president Lalsawta casts vote at polling booth in Aizawl West 3 seat. He said, \”We are confident that we will be able to form the government.\”
Chhattisgarh Elections: State Minister and Congress candidate from Konta Assembly Constituency, Kawasi Lakhma cast his vote for the Assembly elections at polling booth number 36 in the Konta Assembly constituency.
\”We are fighting on the issue of development, security and peace. Several development works have been done here in the last 5 years. I won from a margin of 6,700 votes and this year, I will win with a bigger margin…\” Lakhma said.
Chhattisgarh Elections: Congress candidate from Bastar, Lakheshwar Baghel, says, \”Be it first-time voters or existing ones, the public is very much aware this time and the voter turnout is likely to be more than 80 per cent.\”
Mizoram Elections: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati casts his vote at a polling booth in Aizawl South – II. State Congress chief Lalsawta casts his vote at a polling station in Mission Vengthlang of Aizawl.
Mizoram Elections: CM and MNF president Zoramthanga failed to cast his vote.
He said, \”Because the machine was not working. I was waiting for some time. But since the machine could not work I said that I will visit my constituency and vote after the morning meal.\”
Chhattisgarh Election 2023: BJP candidate from Kondagaon Assembly constituency, Lata Usendi, casts her vote.
Chhattisgarh Elections: After casting his vote, Congress candidate Mohan Markam from Kondagaon says \”I am confident that I will win for the third time from Kondagaon. BJP cannot compete with Congress in Chhattisgarh, that is why they are using ED….\”
Mizoram Elections: CM Zoramthanga says that in order to form a government, 21 seats are needed. \”We hope that we will be able to get more than that, maybe 25 or more. I believe that we will have a comfortable majority,\” he added.
Mizoram Elections: CM Zoramthanga says, \”It will not be a hung Assembly. It will be MNF Government. I have full confidence in that.\”
\”BJP is not an alliance partner. NDA is there in the Centre. Here in the state, we don\’t have any alliance with BJP or any other party…We are only a partner of the NDA in the Centre, here in the state we support the NDA on issue based,\” he said after casting his vote.
Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2023: BJP candidate from Narayanpur, Kedar Kashyap casts his vote at polling booth number 212 in Bhanpuri Assembly Constituency.
\”A large number of people are present here to cast their votes which shows that people in the state want to remove Congress Government from Chhattisgarh. I would like to appeal to everyone to cast maximum votes for BJP…\” he said.
Mizoram Elections: CM and MNF president Zoramthanga says, \”Even with the COVID in which there was a great problem all over the world, we fought more or less successfully against COVID…Despite that, here in Mizoram we did a lot of developmental works…Therefore, I believe that in order to continue the works that we have laid down we shall be able to form the Government…\”
PM Narendra Modi urges people of Chhattisgarh and Mizoram to vote.
\”Today is the sacred festival of democracy in Chhattisgarh. I request all the voters of the first phase of assembly elections to cast their votes and become participants of this festival. On this occasion, my special congratulations to all the young friends of the state who voted for the first time!\” PM shared in a post on X.
\”I call upon the people of Mizoram to vote in record numbers. I particularly urge the young and first time voters to exercise their franchise and strengthen the festival of democracy,\” PM Modi said.
Voters stand in a queue outside a polling booth in the Bhanpuri Assembly Constituency to cast vote for the Chhattisgarh election.
Mizoram Elections 2023: Chief Minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga arrives to cast his vote at 19-Aizawl Venglai-I YMA Hall polling station under Aizawl North-II assembly constituency.
One jawan of CRPF CoBRA Battalion, who was deployed for election duty, injured in an IED blast triggered by naxals in the Tondamarka area of Sukma, says Sukma SP Kiran Chavan, reports ANI.
Voting for the 40-seat Mizoram assembly and phase-1 of the 90-seat Chhattisgarh assembly begins. Today, 20 constituencies in Chhattisgarh will vote.
Background
Assembly Election 2023 Voting Live: Hello and welcome to the Assembly Elections Live blog of ABP Live. Follow this space for all the latest news and developments on polling in Mizoram and the phase-1 voting in Chhattisgarh.
The electoral process for Mizoram\’s 40-member assembly and the first phase of Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh have begun with robust security arrangements to ensure peaceful and secure voting experiences.
Mizoram Election 2023 Voting
In Mizoram, polling stations opened their doors at 7 a.m. and will remain accessible until 4 p.m. Approximately 8.57 lakh voters, including 4.39 lakh women, are eligible to cast their votes in this crucial election. The outcome will determine the fate of 174 candidates contesting for the 40 assembly seats. The major contenders in the elections include the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the principal opposition Zoram People\’s Movement (ZPM), and the Congress, with each fielding candidates for every seat.
Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is competing in 23 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has candidates in four seats. Additionally, 27 independent candidates have joined the electoral process.
Prominent candidates in this election include MNF leader and Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga, who is contesting from the Aizawl East-I seat against Congress candidate Lalsanglura Ralte and ZPM\’s Lalthansanga. ZPM founder Lalduhoma is another key contestant, competing from the Serchhip constituency. Congress chief Lalsawta is running from Aizawl West-III, and BJP state unit president Vanlalhmuaka is contesting from the Dampa constituency.
Mizoram Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia, who is also the MNF vice-president and the oldest candidate at 80 years old, is competing in the Tuichang constituency.
Chhattisgarh Election 2023 Phase-1 Voting
Chhattisgarh is witnessing the first phase of Assembly polls, with comprehensive security measures in place, especially in the Naxal-affected Bastar division. A total of 25,249 personnel have been deployed to ensure a peaceful and secure voting process.
This first phase includes 20 constituencies, each with different voting hours. Ten seats, including Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Konta, will have polling from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The remaining ten seats, including Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Pandariya, Kawardha Bastar, Jagdalpur, and Chitrakot, will conduct voting from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Some prominent candidates in this phase include Chhattisgarh Congress Chief and MP Deepak Baij (Chitrakot), ministers Kawasi Lakhma (Konta), Mohan Markam (Kondagaon), Mohammad Akbar (Kawardha), and Chhavindra Karma (Dantewada), the son of the late leader Mahendra Karma.
Former Chief Minister Raman Singh from the BJP is running from Ranjangaon, facing Congress\’ Girish Dewangan, the chairman of Chhattisgarh State Mineral Development Corporation. Other notable BJP candidates include four former ministers and former IAS officer Neelkanth Tekam (Keshkal).
The Aam Aadmi Party\’s state unit chief, Komal Hupendi, is vying for the Bhanupratappur seat, while MLA Anup Nag, who was denied a ticket by the Congress, is running as an Independent candidate from Antagarh.
These elections are closely watched as they will have a significant impact on the political landscape in both Mizoram and Chhattisgarh.