About 68 per cent polling was recorded in the third phase of Panchayat polls held in the State on Wednesday. The polling held in 26 districts remained peaceful in comparison to previous two phases as no incidents of loot of ballot boxes was reported. The fourth and final phase of polling will be held on February 6.
Dhamtari and Surguja districts recorded maximum 84 per cent polling while Bijapur recorded only 15 per cent polling. According to the officials of State Election Commission, the polling was held to elect 52660 panchs, 3727 sarpanchs, 1002 member of Janpad Panchayats and 141 members of Zila Panchayats.
The voters sealed the fate of 81008 candidates for the post of panchs, 18210 candidates for the post of Sarpanch, 5295 candidates for the post of member of Janpad Panchayat and 809 candidates for the post of member of Zila Panchayat.
The polling was held at 9435 polling booths out of which 3695 were identified as sensitive while 1575 booths were identified as hypersensitive. Proper security arrangements were made for peaceful conduct of polling.