A record 70 per cent voter turnout was registered at 12 of the 22 booths in Gadchiroli district where re-polling was conducted on Thursday, official sources said.
The overall percentage of voting, however, dipped to approximately 60 per cent due to the low turnout at polling stations in Aheri assembly segment. Armouri assembly reported 74 per cent turnout while Gadchiroli recorded 72 per cent and Aheri 39, said District Returning Officer Atul Patne.
However, not a single voter turned up for voting at Bamanpalli polling station in Aheri assembly constituency. Re-polling was ordered by the Election Commission in 22 polling stations across three assembly constituencies of Aheri (13), Armouri (seven) and Gadchiroli (two).
Bhagwanpur polling station registered the highest voting percentage of 88.20 per cent followed by Mohgaon (86.72), Sindha (85.79), Mandra (84), Gujo (79.25), Dodke (74.64), Satputi (73.46), Jamnara (73.40),Chandra (73.43) Vikaspalli (71.87), which were among those that witnessed high turnout. The re-polling was necessitated as the polling staff could not reach the booths on election day on October 13 as Maoists had put up obstacles.
The re-polling, however, went off peacefully barring five incidents of Maoist encounters with the police. Maoists opened fire towards the close of re-polling in Kondli and Kotami polling stations, prompting security personnel to return fire. No security personnel were hurt in the encounters.
Earlier in the day, Maoists had opened fire at three places, but couldn't cause any damage.
