RAIPUR: Security forces traced and unearthed two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) close to the makeshift polling booth set up under the tree in one of the worst Maoist-affected district of Sukma, south Chhattisgarh.
Owing to the timely detection of the IEDs by the vigilant forces the untoward incident was averted. The outlawed Maoists earlier in the day triggered a blast at Tumakpal in Dantewada in an attempt to create fear among the voters.
The technical glitches reported early today in around a dozen EVMs were rectified at respective polling stations and the state chief electoral officer Subrat Sahoo claimed the election process across the 18 assembly seats is going smooth.
Since morning in majority of the polling centres across 18 Assembly constituencies of seven districts of Bastar and Rajnandgaon, the enthusiastic voters were seen standing in long queues at the polling centres. Interestingly the women voters (with little over 51percent) outnumbered men in the first phase.
The conduct of free, peaceful and credible polling in these areas continues as a big challenge for the Election Commission (EC) since out of the 18 seats, the Maoists have a substantial presence in 10 segments where the polling time has been scheduled from 7 am to 3 pm to enable the election staff accomplish their work and return before sunset.END