Slow start to final phase polling in Jharkhand

RANCHI: About 12 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the first three hours of voting in the fifth and final phase of polling for the 16 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand.

Barring a landmine explosion in Palamau district's Hussainabad that left a policeman injured, polling is so far peaceful, police said.

Webcams have been fitted in eight booths by the Election Commission to observe voting, an Election Commission spokesperson said.

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

Polling for 65 of the 81-member Jharkhand assembly seats has already been completed in the previous four phases.

The voting would end at 3 pm.