Ranchi/Jamshedpur, Dec. 12: With the conclusion of the fourth and final phase of the three-tier panchayat polls on Saturday, the electorate in Jharkhand has sealed the fates of the candidates who contested the rural polls which are being held for the second time since the formation of the state in 2000.
The final phase of polling was peaceful and recorded a high 71 percent voting, reflecting the enthusiasm as aspirations of the rural masses. While the voting percentage was high in all the four phases, there were sporadic incidents of violence as well as poll boycott in a few pocket areas, as the electorate were frustrated with their representatives elected by them in 2010.
In all 41 blocks in 13 districts of the State voted in the fourth and final phase today recording 71.23 percent turnout.
Polling began amid tight security arrangements in the two blocks of the East Singhbhum district �Jamshedpur and Potka, which registered 70 percent polling today. Potka registered 77.8 percent polling, while Jamshedpur witnessed 65.5 per cent voting.
People were seen standing in queues since 7 a.m. The East Singhbhum district administration had beefed up security to hold peaceful anchayat election keeping in view the threats of disruption by the Red ultras in the region. Adequate paramilitary forces were deployed at the rebel-hit areas in Potka.
About 4,000 polling officials were involved in the process, while 2,000 security forces were deployed in strategic areas. Since early morning, several thousand voters thronged the rural polling stations. About 70 percent of the total 3.85 lakh voters exercised their franchise to decide the fate of 2263 candidates in fray for the 670 posts that includes gram panchayat mukhia, gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and zila parishad members in the final phase throughout the state.
Barring small incidents of verbal clash between different supporting groups of the candidates the polling went off peacefully amid heavy deployment of security forces across all 1,112 polling stations including the 196 hyper sensitive booths. With an aim to hold peaceful polling the district administration divided the two blocks into eight zones and deployed 86 sector officers and 68 cluster officers for the efficient security and polling arrangement.
Before 2010, the last panchayat polls were held in 1979 when Jharkhand was part of Bihar. After the formation of the state in 2000, the polls were delayed due to a legal battle over reservation to tribal people in scheduled areas.
Latter in the evening, briefing the media, East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal said that the polling process was peaceful and he thanked voters for actively participating in the franchise.
Earlier, in the first three phases of the polling the district recorded 68 percent average voting in the first phase, 77.9 percent in the second phase and 77 percent in the third phase.
Meanwhile the voting percentage in other districts of the state is as below.
Ranchi- 77.89 %, West Singhbhum-61.25%, East SInghbhum-70%, Garhwa-69.5%, Palamu-73%, Latehar-64%, Chatra-72.63%, Hazaribagh-69%, Giridih-72%, Dhanbad-78%, Bokaro-73.5%, Lohardagga-75.01% and Gumla registered 70.18 % turnout.
A total of 1.72 crore voters exercised their franchise during the four phases of the panchayat elections in the state this time. Counting of ballot papers will be held on December 13 and 19 Expressing happiness over the peaceful conclusion of the polls, state’s chief election commissioner Shiv Basant thanked all people involved in the polling.
“71.23 percent voter turnout was recorded in the final phase. Barring a few stray incidents and minor hiccups, polling by and large concluded peacefully in the state,” he said.
At stake area total of 11,064 posts including in zilla parishads, panchayat samitis, gram panchayats and of mukhias.
Jharkhand Assembly session to begin on December 15.
The winter session of the Jharkhand legislative assembly will begin from December 15, an official said on Tuesday.
“The State Assembly session is going to take place for seven days”said the press release issued by the state government.
The statement said the Assembly session starting on December 17 will end on December 22.
Eight day session will address the state government’s finance and administrative issues. Even the Chief Minister Raghubar Das is slated to address the people’s concerns.
