"90 returning officers, 416 assistant returning officers, 4596 enumerators, and 1699 micro-observers have been appointed for the counting process. The Election Commission of India has appointed 90 counting observers for the 90 assembly constituencies," read the ECI release.
"Efforts are being made in Kanker to convey the message of gender equality between men and women in society. A total of 196 female employees will be on duty in the counting of votes who have been specially trained," said an official
"It is a matter of satisfaction that projections show Congress ahead and I believe Congress will get around 60 seats...The decision on the Chief Minister will be taken by the Congress high command. Whatever they decide, we will accept," TS Singh Deo said while talking to ANI.
The exit polls on Thursday gave Congress a clear edge in Chhattisgarh, showing that the ruling party in the state is poised to return to power with the BJP also expected to put up a good contest unlike in the 2018 polls
Madhya Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 27.62 per cent while neighbouring Chhattisgarh saw 19.65 per cent polling in the second phase till 11 am on Friday, the Election Commission informed on Friday.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo on Friday said that the Congress party is fighting the assembly elections under the joint leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
While polling is being held in a single phase for the 230-member assembly in Madhya Pradesh, voting for the first phase in Chhattisgarh for 20 seats was held on November 7.
The main battle in the state is between the Congress and the BJP. Prior to the voting, the state witnessed the top leaders of both parties, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupesh Bahgel, holding extensive campaigns.
In both Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the BJP has not projected anyone as a chief ministerial candidate and has banked heavily on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election campaign.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday accused the Congress government in Chhattisgarh of making the state an "epicentre of loot".He also exuded confidence in the BJP's win in the upcoming Assembly election in the state on the basis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "guarantee".