RAIPUR: The first phase of Chhattisgarh polling that covered 18 out of the 90 Assembly seats on November 12 yet again witnessed high turnout of voters with over 76 per cent of the eligible voters exercising their franchise.
During the last two assembly polls, the tribal villagers in Bastar division, barring a few segments, have overwhelmingly kept the overall polling figures over 70 per cent.
The focus now shifts on the remaining 72 sets particularly across the central plains, which remains way ahead of Bastar zone on literacy, wealth and income, living standard, industrialisation among other parameters, have led the pundits wonder on the relatively less voter turnout in cities, towns and suburbs.
The electorates of Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur and adjoining urban areas, despite being more advanced have not showed polling beyond 70 per cent as witnessed in the conflict-ridden Bastar during the previous three elections.
"What turned out to be more heartening is the village voters even in remote or inhospitable terrain actively participated to exercise their rights defying the Maoist's threat. Many even walked 5-10 km to reach their respective polling stations. This is contrary to urban areas where one gets easy access to various modes of travel and the polling booths are limited within the range of 3 km", political observer Ashok Tomar told the Express.
Now with all eyes on what's going to be the overall picture on the voters joining-in across the urban areas of the 72 assembly seats. The political analysts sent out mixed signals in their analysis on turnout but hoped it will improve this year. And if it does the credit will equally go to the Election Commission which has campaigned to increase the voters' participation. But then it would be interesting to watch to what extent the enthusiasm among the people in remaining areas persists to cast their votes on November 20 when the Chhattisgarh goes for the second and final phase of polling.
"Low voter turnout in urban and semi-urban areas used to be things of the past. Now the trends, moods on exercising the choices will be different and will improve. There is a greater realisation among the masses living in cities and electorates is expected to come out in greater strength", the former state election commission Sushil Trivedi told Express.
The voter turnout in chief minister Raman Singh's constituency Rajnandgaon on November 12 polling recorded 82.36 %, the highest in the segment so far.