Rajnandgaon, April 19 -- As the country votes in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, former Chhattisgarh CM and State Assembly Speaker Raman Singh on Friday urged the people to vote in record numbers.

"These elections, the festival of democracy have come with possibilities for the country. Bastar is voting today in the first phase of the election. I urge all voters to vote in large numbers. I also appeal to the first-time voters and youths to come and cast their votes in maximum numbers," Singh said.

The electoral exercise commenced at 7 am today in 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories. Voters will exercise their franchise until 6 pm today.

One (Bastar) out of the state's 11 constituencie...