Even after 76 years of independence, voting was not held in this village, this is the first time people have voted! What is the reason? Villagers Vote For The First Time After 76 Years Of Independence – News18 Kannada Achi-News

It has been 76 years since our country got independence, we have participated in the 18th Lok Sabha election festival, but there is a village in the country where the polling for Lok Sabha elections 2024 was held this year. Days after security forces achieved their biggest success in the anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, Bastar’s Chandametta village, the epicenter of red terror, created history on Friday. Lok Sabha elections were held here for the first time after independence.

325 registered voters, including 162 women, cast their votes for the first time to elect a Lok Sabha candidate in the first phase of the Lok Sabha in this village, once considered a stronghold of Naxalites. It is worth noting that the establishment of a security guard camp in Chandameta has assured the residents of their safety. They came out of their homes to exercise their democratic rights without any fear.

Heavy security forces were deployed in this village. Along with the people of Chandameta village, the people of some nearby villages also put election ink on their fingers for the first time. Voting ended here at 3 pm. The security officers and polling officers on duty were seen returning safely to the center with the EVMs.

Bastar Inspector General of Police (IG) P Sundarraj said on Friday that people were seen queuing up outside the polling stations with full enthusiasm and confidence, adding that three-tier security had been created around the voters. Among the state’s 11 Lok Sabha constituencies, the first phase of general election voting was held on Friday only in Bastar.

Speaking to ANI, IGP Sundarraj said there was strong and safe polling in Bastar in the first phase of the general elections. Local people went to the polls with full confidence without any fear. A three-tier security arrangement has been made in the region, additional forces have been deployed in border areas, special forces from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha have helped us maintain security.