NEW DELHI: The first phase of voting has begun in Mizoram and Chattisgarh, marking the beginning of the elections in five states. International borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh have been closed in Mizoram to ensure security.

40,78,681 voters will decide the fate of 223 candidates in 20 assembly constituencies in the first phase of elections in Chhattisgarh, where the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP face off directly. Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in ten places and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the other ten places. Polling teams arrived in helicopters for polling in remote centres. The second phase of polling in Chhattisgarh will be held on the 17th.

In Mizoram, polling will be held in 40 seats. Out of 1,276 polling stations in the state, 149 polling stations are in border areas. The Election Commission has declared precautionary measures in 30 polling stations. 8,57,000 voters will decide the fate of 174 candidates.

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the main opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) and the Congress have fielded candidates in 40 seats each while the Aam Aadmi Party is contesting four seats and 27 independent candidates are also in the fray. The BJP has fielded candidates in 23 seats with a special focus on linguistic minority inhabited areas, especially where the Reang and Chakma tribal community are in reasonable numbers in the voters' list. More than 7,000 people living in the hilly areas will vote from their homes. Ballot papers were sent to them by post.