Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 26 : Despite the scorching heat, polling stations across the State of Chhattisgarh witnessed large numbers of enthusiastic citizens waiting to cast their votes in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.
Amidst sweltering temperatures, many voters emphasised the importance of casting their votes, urging others to do the same and stressing the direct impact of government decisions on their lives.
Despite the discomfort, their commitment to participating in the electoral process remained unwavering. In this fervour for democracy, voters unite, emphasising the significance of each ballot cast amidst the heat of electoral fervour.
Akash and Payal, a couple from Rajnandgaon, came to cast their vote carrying their 6-month-old baby.
"Everyone's vote is precious. That's why I came to cast my vote. I want to tell everyone to come to cast their vote. Their vote is important for all," Akash said.
Payal, while urging others to exercise their franchise, said, "Voting is important and that's why I have come here to cast my vote carrying my 6-month-old baby. Everyone must come and cast their vote. It is our duty to cast our vote. Despite the scorching sun, voters coming out of their houses to exercise their voting rights in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon".
Sajnewali Kaur, another voter from Rajnandgaon, said that each vote has its importance as the government's decisions directly impact the citizens.
"I have come here to cast my vote even in hot weather because we are directly impacted by the government's decisions later on. So, it is important for us to cast our vote. I want to ask every youth to come and give priority to polling," Kaur added.
Hari Shankar Srivastava, a 65-year-old voter who was among the senior citizens who walked with great difficulty with the assistance of family members and even made use of assistive devices just to exercise their franchise, showed enthusiasm for casting votes.
"I have cast my vote. I want to say to everyone that wherever people are, whether in this hot weather or elsewhere, even if it rains, they must come and cast their vote and I also expect the administration to implement a rule that those who don't cast their vote should not be given government service benefits. We don't care who you're voting for, but voting itself is important. It is your right. My main issue for the voting was security. I did not think of the prices of onions and tomatoes. Security is important to me," Srivastava said.
Another voter, Nader Lalani, said that everyone should prioritise it and come out of their homes to cast their votes.
"I would say that casting your vote is about priority. We go out to travel during the summers. We go to beaches, hilly areas and many other places. So, if we understand the importance of voting and prioritise it, then only development will take place and our governments will do good work and a good government will come to power. We have to think about our nation. I don't care which party comes to power. Be it Modi, Rahul Gandhi, or the Aam Adami Party, all I want to see is development," Nader Lalani said.
High temperatures have raised concern this election cycle, as campaigns marked by outdoor political rallies and the casting of votes draw thousands of people under the scorching heat.
Ahalya Pandey, an 80-year-old woman, came to cast her vote in scorching heat and said hot weather should not come in between as an obstacle to casting her vote.
"Everyone must cast their vote. No one should give an excuse for it. Everyone must exercise their rights. Let hot weather not come in between," Pandey said.
At least 53.09 per cent of the electorate cast their votes till 1 pm in three constituencies in Chhattisgarh in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.
The tribal-dominated Kanker seat recorded a 60.15 per cent voter turnout, followed by Mahasamund with 52.06 per cent and Rajnandgaon with 47.82 per cent, he said.
BJP's Santosh Pandey is seeking his second straight term in Rajnandgaon, while the opposition Congress has fielded its firebrand leader and former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel against him.
So far, the Congress has won this seat in general elections eight times and once in a bypoll, while the BJP has won the poll seven times and the Janata Party once.