In Jharkhand, polling is underway peacefully in different parts of the state today for the first phase of Assembly Elections amidst tight security arrangements. The Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dr.Neha Arora said an estimated 13.04 percent voting was recorded till 9.30am.
Forty-three constituencies spread over 15 districts are going to polls in this phase. Polling began at 7 am and will conclude at 5 pm except at 950 sensitive booths in 31 constituencies, where polling will be concluded by 4 pm. Over one crore 37 lakh electorates will decide political fortune of 683 candidates including 73 women. Former Chief Minister Champai Soren of BJP from Saraikela, Rajya Sabha MP and JMM candidate Mahua Maji from Ranchi, Rameshwar Orao of Congress from Lohardaga, Saryu Rai of Janta Dal (United) from Jamshedpur (West) and Hare Lal Mahto of AJSU from Ichagarh are among important candidates whose fate will be decided today.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polls. Two hundred companies of central para military forces have been deployed across the the state.
Inter- district borders have been sealed. A joint operation has been launched in the bordering areas of UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to check the activities of naxals. Helicopters have also been pressed into service to meet any eventuality.
