It was an encouraging voters’ turnout in six parliamentary constituencies in Madhya Pradesh that went for polling in first phase of Lok Sabha polls for the State on Monday.

Chhindwara, the home turf of Chief Minister Kamal Nath witnessed the maximum turnout of 72.95 per cent voting till reports last came in. However, it was still around 6% less than the polling witnessed in 2014.

Sidhi the home town of former Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh saw polling of 57.32% which was the least among the seats that went to polls in the first phase. Besides, Shahdol witnessed 70.35% voting, Jabalpur 64.05%, Mandla 70.87% and Balaghat 73.72%.

It was an upward polling swing for Shahdol which had saw 62% polling in 2014, turn out also increased at Jabalpur which in last polls saw polling of 58.5%, poll percentage also increased at Mandla which had seen 66.7% voting last time while Balaghat also saw increase in voter turnout as it has recorded around 68% voting in 2014 while Chhindwara which saw the maximum turnout in 2019 was still a loser in terms polling as last time it saw over 79% voting in 2014.

The overall poll percentage was 68.02% in the central Indian state despite the searing heat prevailing in most parts.

Those prominent among candidates include Nakul Nath, son of MP chief minister Kamal Nath, BJP state president Rakesh Singh, former Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh and union minister Faggan Singh Kulaste.

Officers in the Chief Electoral Officer of Madhya Pradesh’s office claimed that voting was still on at polling booths after the stipulated time of 6pm so the voting percentage could be slightly more once the final figures arrive. A total of 108 candidates were in the fray.

The polling was by and large peaceful but former Samajwadi Party candidate Kishore Samrite had alleged that he was waylaid by the Naxalites who spared him but put on fire the SUV he was travelling in Lanjhi area of Balaghat.