In Chhattisgarh, polling for the first phase of assembly elections has been completed peacefully, with the exception of a few isolated incidents. According to the provisional figures, approximately 71 percent of voter turnout has been recorded in 20 assembly constituencies in the state during the first phase. Consequently, the electoral fate of 223 candidates, including 25 women, has been sealed in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) today.<br />'' <br />'' In today's voting in Chhattisgarh, the ballot has triumphed over the bullet. Despite the Maoists' call for boycotting the elections, more than 70 percent of voters in highly Maoist-affected assembly constituencies like Bastar, Jagdalpur, Chitrakot, Kondagaon, Keshkal, Kanker, Bhanupratappur, Antagarh, and Mohla-Manpur exercised their franchise today.<br />''  <br />'' People in 126 villages of Bastar division had the opportunity to vote in their own villages for the first time. The Election Commission established polling stations in these villages, located in the most Maoist-affected and inaccessible areas, for the first time since independence.<br />'' <br />'' In Kanker district, the Election Commission took an innovative step to ensure the active participation of all sections, including the third gender, in the assembly elections. The Commission established a 'Rainbow Model Polling Station' in the Pakhanjoor area, which has the highest number of third-gender voters. The polling station also had security personnel belonging to the third gender. <br />