More than 70 % polling in final phase of Jharkhand elections

RANCHI: Polling in the 16 constituencies of Jharkhand today ended with 70.42 per cent of the electorate exercising their franchise in the fifth and final phase of elections to the 81-member state assembly as the day passed off peacefully.

The Election Commission in its statement said the figure might go up after an update.

Chief Electoral Officer P K Jajoria lauded the police personnel and election staff for successfully carrying out the elections in all the five phases.

He said free, fair and peaceful conduct of elections is a matter of pride for Jharkhand.

Jajoria also commended the voters for turning out in large numbers, saying that they have become aware of the value of vote and its impact on development.

Dumka Deputy Commissioner Harsh Mangla said the polling in all the constituencies under the district concluded peacefully.

The BJP and the JMM yesterday accused each other of beating up their respective activists in Dumka and other areas respectively on Thursday night with the saffron party registering an FIR against Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his brother Basant in connection with the incident.