Congress is yet to finalise candidate from Rajnandgaon, the constituency of CM Raman Singh (File Photo)
The Congress on Friday finalised list of 17 candidates for the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections. However, the party is yet to select a candidate for Rajnandgaon, the constituency of CM Raman Singh.
As many as 18 Maoist-affected constituencies of the state would witness polling in the first phase, while the rest 72 constituencies would vote in the second phase on November 20. Votes will be counted on December 11.
The BJP is in power in the state since 2003. In the 2013 Assembly polls, it got 49 seats while the Congress won 39 and one seat each was won by the BSP and an Independent.
The Congress is seeking to oust the Raman Singh government in Naxal-affected Chhattisgarh. The BJP has ruled the state for three successive terms.
According to the Election Commission, there are total 1,85,45,819 voters including 92,95,301 men, 92,49,459 women and 1,059 third-gender voters in the state.
The state has 23,632 polling booths, out of which 19,240 are in rural and 4,392 in urban areas.
Out of 90 constituencies in 27 districts, 18 in 16 districts are Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected and sufficient security forces are being arranged for polls.
(With inputs from PTI)
