Voting begins for final phase of Jharkhand assembly polls

Polling for the fifth and final phase of the five-phased Jharkhand assembly elections began amidst tight security on Friday morning.

Ranchi, Dec 18 : Polling for the fifth and final phase of the five-phased Jharkhand assembly elections began amidst tight security on Friday morning.

A total of 290 candidates are in the fray with nearly 3.5 million voters to cast votes between 7 am to 3 pm.

The constituencies going for polls are Chatra, Latehar, Simaria, Panki, Bishrampur, Hussainabad, Chhatarpur, Garhwa, Bhawnathpur, Manika, Chaibasa, Barkatha, Jagannathpur, Sareikella, Kharsawan and Daltonganj.

According to sources, tight security arrangements have been made, as there are chances of violence taking place in the Maoist-dominated areas.

Around 75,000 security personnel and six helicopters have been pressed into service for the peaceful conduct of polls.

Of the 81 Assembly seats in all, polling for 65 has already been completed in the four previous phases.

In the first phase of polling held on November 25, 53.1 per cent of the voters had cast their votes, followed by 58.8 per cent voting in the second phase on December 2 and 57.2 per cent in the third phase on December 7. Over 50 per cent turnout in fourth phase of polling.

Counting of votes will be held on December 23.

ANI