The rotor blades kick up a dust storm, and the chopper disgorges 27 polling officers into the heart of central India’s red corridor. Red banners are everywhere, warning electoral teams and candidates of death if even a single vote is cast. The first phase of polling begins with some 60% of the 965 voters queuing up in the shadow of the drones hovering overhead. But it is a ‘thumbs up’ for the team with a 63.1% turnout, higher than the Gadchiroli average. The Vateli, Gardewada, Gardewada (Puskoti) and Gardewada (Vangeturi) booths of Gadchiroli district were not so lucky.

Source: The Hindu April 20, 2019 18:33 UTC