New Delhi: In a crucial display of democratic fervor, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh witnessed strong voter turnouts in their assembly elections. The latest data from the Election Commission reveals significant engagement from the electorate, with 77.04% casting their votes in Mizoram and 70.87% in Chhattisgarh during the first phase of polling in 20 assembly constituencies.Mizorams show of democracyThe state of Mizoram conducted elections for all 40 assembly seats. These elections kickstarted the voting process for the ongoing assembly polls across various states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana, scheduled later this month.Impressive voter participation in ChhattisgarhThe Election Commissions data at 5 pm brought attention to the remarkable participation in Chhattisgarhs assembly elections. Khairagarh-Chhuyikhadangandayi constituency took the lead with an impressive voter turnout of 76.31%, closely followed by Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chouki at 76%. However, Bijapur witnessed the lowest voter participation at 40.98%. In other notable percentages, Uttar Bastar Kanker recorded 75.51%, Kondagaon 75.35%, Rajnandgaon 75.1%, and Bastar (Jagdalpur) 72.41%.Seamless voting processVoting in Chhattisgarh commenced at 7 am for ten seats and began at 8 am for the remaining assembly constituencies. This phase of polling will determine the electoral fate of prominent leaders, including former Chief Minister Raman Singh, BJP leaders Bhawna Bohra, Lata Usendi, and Gautam Uike, and key Congress leaders like Mohammad Akbar, Savitri Manoj Mandavi, Mohan Markam, Vikram Mandavi, and Kawasi Lakhma.The first phase of Chhattisgarh polls features 223 candidates, including 25 women, across 5,304 polling booths. Notably, the polling process also covers Naxal-affected areas of the state.High voter engagement in MizoramSeveral constituencies in Mizoram reported remarkable voter participation. Serchhip recorded a turnout of 83.96%, followed by Mamit at 83.42%, Hnahthial at 82.62%, Khawazawl at 82.39%, and Kolasib at 80.13%. The voting in the northeastern state commenced at 7 am and concluded at 4 pm.In Mizoram, Chief Minister Zoramthanga, chief of Mizo National Front, is vying for re-election from Aizawl East - I. Lalduhoma, former IPS officer and Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) chief, who is the partys chief ministerial candidate, is contesting from Serchhip.In the 2018 assembly elections, the Mizo National Front (MNF) secured 26 seats with a vote share of 37.8%, leading to Congresss ousting from power.Both Mizoram and Chhattisgarh will be counting votes on December 3, along with three other states, following the polling in the remaining 70 seats in Chhattisgarh scheduled for November 17.
