72 pc turnout in second phase

More than 72 per cent of the electorate exercised their franchise in 51 constituencies while 70.53 per cent voters had cast their votes in 39 constituencies where polling was held in the first phase on November 14. Though final figures will be available only after a couple of days, indications are that voter turnout in 90 constituencies this time is more than the 70.84 per cent polling recorded during the last Assembly elections in December 2003.

“Such a heavy turnout throws up an unpredictable situation about the possible outcome of the polls. As nearly half of the constituencies have shown the trend of voting against the incumbent legislator, heavy polling could be due to anti-incumbency against the personality involved in the respective segments,” said Sushil Trivedi, former state election commissioner. “It’s really an unpredictable situation,” he added.

He pointed out that the BJP has introduced 40 new faces to beat the anti-incumbency factor while the BSP could also influence the final outcome of the elections.

Chief Minister Raman Singh has claimed that the situation will go in favour of the ruling party due to various factors, including the welfare schemes being implemented by his government.

Other BJP leaders have claimed that the party, which has spread its base in rural areas during the last five years, has been successful in motivating people to exercise their franchise.

State Congress spokesman Ramesh Varliyani has claimed that heavy voter turnout was due to a strong anti-incumbency undercurrent. In the last elections, a similar voting trend had gone against the Congress, he said.

The second and last phase of polling in 51 constituencies, including in tribal Sarguja, where the Naxals have a presence, was by and large peaceful, except for an incident of stone-throwing at the vehicle of former chief minister Ajit Jogi at village Girwar in his Marwahi-ST constituency.