NEW DELHI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Voting began in as many as 72 assembly constituencies for the second and final phase of state elections in India's central state of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

The first phase of voting in 18 constituencies took place on Nov. 12 in the state which is infested by armed rebels Naxals who often target security personnel and government installations.

Over 1,000 candidates, including the state's Chief Minister Raman Singh, are in the fray.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is currently the ruling party in the state, and is fighting for the fourth consecutive term. The party has been ruling the state for the past 15 years. On the other hand, the main opposition party the Indian National Congress (INC) is contesting against Chief Minister Raman Singh-led state government.

Adequate security arrangements have been made in order to ensure peaceful polling and avert any attack from the Naxals.