Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2023 LIVE Updates: BJP, Congress face off in first phase of polls

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Catch LIVE updates on the Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections from LivemintChhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2023 LIVE Updates:Aiming to address the social apprehensions and stigma regarding the third gender and to ensure their active participationin the electoral process, a 'rainbow' themed polling station has been set up in the Kanker district ahead of the first phase of Chhattisgarh polls on November 7. The administration in the insurgency-hit Kanker district of Chhattisgarh has initiated a unique move by establishing a 'rainbow' model polling station.

The polling station has been painted in seven colours of rainbow with tents of the same colourful designs, making it visibly attractive. Speaking on this initiative, Seema Pradhan, the transgender constable told ANI, “As the name suggests, the Rainbow is colourful and was specially made for third-gender people, but men and women will also vote for it.

Our 69 sisters have to vote in the first phase and in Pakhanjoor, where I am on duty, the eighth transgender person will vote." There are 40,78,689 electors eligible to vote in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh Election 2023. Data from the Election Commission indicates that women voters in the state outnumbered male voters.Congress leader Mohammad Akbar is one of the key players in the fray – the only Muslim candidate in the Chhattisgarh assembly elections.

The Kawardha MLA will be contesting yet again from his own constituency. In the 2018 elections, he had emerged victorious against the BJP's Ashok Sahu despite the seat having a significant population of Sahus.The Congress has also fielded late MLA Manoj Mandavi's wife from his Bhanupratappur seat.