Chhattisgarh Assembly polls: In the first phase, 404 IAF helicopter flights were performed to transport poll workers in Bastar

 Chhattisgarh Assembly polls: In the first phase, 404 IAF helicopter flights were performed to transport poll workers in Bastar

In order to cast ballots on November 7, around 860 members of the polling party were transported by MI-17 helicopters from November 4 to November 6 to 156 polling places spread over five districts of the Bastar division: Sukma, Bijapur, Kanker, Dantewada, and Narayanpur.

Twenty assembly districts in Chhattisgarh, including twelve seats in the Bastar division, held their first round of elections on November 7. In these 20 seats, a strong voter participation of 78 percent was seen.

During the just concluded first phase of Chhattisgarh elections, the Indian Air Force carried out 404 flights with eight MI-17 choppers over a six-day period, transporting voting equipment and polling parties in the Bastar division, which is ravaged by Naxal, a top election official stated on November 10.

Twenty assembly districts in Chhattisgarh, including twelve seats in the Bastar division, held their first round of elections on November 7. In these 20 seats, a strong voter participation of 78 percent was seen.

"Defying every challenge, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted 404 sorties about Eight MI 17s, securely ferrying 853 polling participants to and from 43 locations, making it possible a successful electoral process in a tough LWE-affected geographic area," the Chief Electoral Officer of Chhattisgarh wrote on X on November 10. Greetings from the Indian Air Force.

In order to cast ballots on November 7, Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P informed PTI that more than 860 members of the polling party were transported by MI-17 helicopters to 156 polling places spread throughout five districts of the Bastar division: Sukma, Bijapur, Kanker, Dantewada, and Narayanpur. The polls were held from November 4 to November 6.

next the vote, over the course of the next three days, all of the presiding officers, electronic voting machines (EVMs), and poll workers were gradually returned to the appropriate district headquarters. According to him, the evacuation drill was finished by November 9th evening.

In accordance with the prearranged action plan, he added, the local government, police, or security forces made preparations to house poll workers in neighboring security camps and other suitable locations during voting. The IAF worked tirelessly over six days to guarantee a seamless election process, and the IG conveyed his appreciation for it. In the past, there have been many incidents of Naxalites shooting on helicopters in the districts of Sukma, Dantewada, and Bastar in the area.

During the 2008 assembly elections, voting machines and staff were on board an IAF helicopter when it was shot down by Naxalites. The assault claimed the life of flight engineer sergeant Mustafa Ali in the cockpit. TK Choudhary, the squadron leader, piloted the aircraft and made a successful landing at Jagdalpur despite bullets partly destroying the helicopter's rotorcraft. On November 17, the state's second round of elections will be held for the remaining 70 assembly seats out of a total of 90.