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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Voters Defy Maoist Violence as Turnout Rises in Naxalite Zone April 10,2014



Despite the Maoist threat and violence in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, 12 constituencies in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa hit hardest by the Left-wing extremism recorded an overall voter turnout of 64 % - a significant increase from the 54 % recorded in 2009.
Bastar in Chhattisgarh, considered one of the most volatile Maoist zones, witnessed 56 % polling on April 10,2014 
People queue at a polling booth in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, where elections took place 2014 Lok Sabha Election Phase 3 on April 10,2014
Other Maoist strongholds too saw higher voting compared to the previous elections. 
A report prepared by the Home Ministry shows all the worst-hit constituencies recorded a higher turnout than in 2009. In fact, all the constituencies saw more than 50% turnout.
While the highest polling took place at Orissa's Nabrangpur (78 %), the lowest was at Bihar's Aurangabad (51 per cent). 

In 2009, 6 of these constituencies recorded less than 50 % polling.

With just one more phase of polling scheduled in Maoist strongholds for the 2014 Lok Sabha Election Phase 5 on April 17,2014 the home ministry is hoping for the turnout to go up further.
In the next phase, polling will be held in eight more sensitive constituencies in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Sources said Kunti and West Singhbhum in Jharkhand and Kanker in Chhattisgarh are the trouble areas.

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