Chhattisgarh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan on Friday said democracy demands that people decide what kind of government they want to be formed both at the Centre and State by exercising their right to vote.
Polling for the 70 seats of the 90-member assembly began today at 8 am on Friday. Voting for the first phase in Chhattisgarh for 20 seats was held on November 7.
Polling will continue till 3 pm while voting in nine polling stations of Bindranavagarh Assembly constituency is being held from 7 am to 3 pm.
Speaking to ANI after casting his vote at a polling booth in Raipur, Governor Biswabhusan said, “Casting a vote is the democratic right of every citizen of the country. Democracy demands that all citizens exercise their rights”.
“By exercising their right, they decide what sort of government they want in the state and at the Centre. We have come and cast our vote…”, he added.
The main battle in the state is between the Congress and the BJP.
Prior to the voting, the state witnessed the top leaders of both parties, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupesh Bahgel, holding extensive campaigns.
The BJP, which ruled the state continuously between 2003 and 2018, is seeking to replace the Congress government led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Bahgel.
Prominent candidates in the fray include Baghel, state Assembly Speaker Charandas Mahant, Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo and BJP state president Arun Sao.
For Chhattisgarh, over 18,800 polling stations have been set up for the second phase of polling.
A total of 958 candidates are in the fray across the 70 seats.
Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful and fair elections. The electorate in the state comprises over two crore voters.
The counting of votes for the five states will be done on December 3. (ANI)
