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| Indian state votes amid violence | Indian state votes amid violence |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The beginning of a crucial round of state elections in India has been marred by outbreaks of violence. | The beginning of a crucial round of state elections in India has been marred by outbreaks of violence. |
| Maoist rebels have snatched voting machines, kidnapped polling officials and set off a landmine in the central state of Chattisgarh, police say. | Maoist rebels have snatched voting machines, kidnapped polling officials and set off a landmine in the central state of Chattisgarh, police say. |
| The police say that they have had gun battles with rebels in at least six places in the state. | The police say that they have had gun battles with rebels in at least six places in the state. |
| The election is the first in a series of votes that may determine whether the government calls an early general poll. | The election is the first in a series of votes that may determine whether the government calls an early general poll. |
| A general election must be held by May but could be called earlier. | A general election must be held by May but could be called earlier. |
| Voting in six mostly central and western states will take place over six weeks, amid signs of economic slowdown. | Voting in six mostly central and western states will take place over six weeks, amid signs of economic slowdown. |
| Alliances | Alliances |
| Chattisgarh is one of at least 13 states in India where Maoist rebels are active. | Chattisgarh is one of at least 13 states in India where Maoist rebels are active. |
| In the first stage of voting in Chattisgarh, voters are casting their ballots in 39 of 90 constituencies. | In the first stage of voting in Chattisgarh, voters are casting their ballots in 39 of 90 constituencies. |
| See a map of states voting | See a map of states voting |
| In the Konta and Narayanpur areas in the state's Bastar region where the rebels have a strong presence, Maoists stopped polling officials travelling to the polling stations and stole electronic voting machines, the police said. | In the Konta and Narayanpur areas in the state's Bastar region where the rebels have a strong presence, Maoists stopped polling officials travelling to the polling stations and stole electronic voting machines, the police said. |
| Rebels have abducted polling officials in the Katekalyan area, the police added. | Rebels have abducted polling officials in the Katekalyan area, the police added. |
| There are reports of a landmine blast, set off by the rebels, in Konta area. No casualties have been reported yet. | There are reports of a landmine blast, set off by the rebels, in Konta area. No casualties have been reported yet. |
| Correspondents say that key issues in the election include rising prices and security following a spate of bomb attacks blamed mostly on Islamist militants. | Correspondents say that key issues in the election include rising prices and security following a spate of bomb attacks blamed mostly on Islamist militants. |
| Apart from Chattisgarh, the states that will go to the polls are Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Mizoram in the north-east and the western desert state of Rajasthan. | Apart from Chattisgarh, the states that will go to the polls are Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Mizoram in the north-east and the western desert state of Rajasthan. |
| For security reasons the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir will vote in seven phases over nearly as many weeks. | |
| If the governing Congress party does well, it may want to build on the results and call an early poll in February. | If the governing Congress party does well, it may want to build on the results and call an early poll in February. |
| ELECTION TIMETABLE 14 and 20 November: Chattisgarh27 November: Madhya Pradesh17 November to 24 December: Jammu and Kashmir29 November: Delhi2 December: Mizoram4 December: Rajasthan | ELECTION TIMETABLE 14 and 20 November: Chattisgarh27 November: Madhya Pradesh17 November to 24 December: Jammu and Kashmir29 November: Delhi2 December: Mizoram4 December: Rajasthan |
| However, a poor performance might prompt the government to delay the vote until May, the end of its five-year parliamentary term. | However, a poor performance might prompt the government to delay the vote until May, the end of its five-year parliamentary term. |
| Whichever party, Congress or the main opposition BJP, does better may find it easier to secure alliances with regional parties before the general election - of the utmost importance when building a post-election governing coalition. | Whichever party, Congress or the main opposition BJP, does better may find it easier to secure alliances with regional parties before the general election - of the utmost importance when building a post-election governing coalition. |
| The BJP faces a tough challenge from Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan because incumbent administrations in Indian states often do badly in elections. | The BJP faces a tough challenge from Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan because incumbent administrations in Indian states often do badly in elections. |
| Observers will also be closely watching the outcome of the vote in Indian-administered Kashmir, which during the summer was the scene of large anti-India protests. | Observers will also be closely watching the outcome of the vote in Indian-administered Kashmir, which during the summer was the scene of large anti-India protests. |
| Many Indian cities, including Bangalore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and the capital, Delhi, have been hit by bomb blasts recently, with large losses of life. | Many Indian cities, including Bangalore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and the capital, Delhi, have been hit by bomb blasts recently, with large losses of life. |
| The BJP has been campaigning for a tougher anti-terror law in response to the bombings. | The BJP has been campaigning for a tougher anti-terror law in response to the bombings. |
| Counting of votes will take place on 8 December, apart from in Indian-administered Kashmir where votes will be tallied on 28 December. | Counting of votes will take place on 8 December, apart from in Indian-administered Kashmir where votes will be tallied on 28 December. |
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