The first phase of polling for 18 assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh is underway amidst massive security cover. Polling started at 7 am in 13 Maoist affected assembly segments, while in the remaining five constituencies polling began at 8 AM.

Twelve out of 18 assembly constituencies are in Maoist affected tribal Bastar division and the remaining six are in Rajnandgaon district. Maoists attacked a polling party in Pakhanjur area of Kanker district. One BSF jawan was injured in this incident. Maoists also threw a bomb on a Durgapur polling station of Kanker district.

Chief Minister Raman Singh is prominent among the contestants in the first phase.