Voters of three constituencies in Jharkhand came out in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the first phase of general elections in the State with the polling percentage touching 63.77 per cent here on Monday. Polling remained largely peaceful in Lohardaga, Palamu and Chatra constituencies that include some of the worst naxal infested districts of the State.
There was a marked increase in the polling percentage in three constituencies with people of all age group queued in front of polling stations despite the temperature crossing 40 degree Celsius in most places. Lohardaga constituency recorded 64.88 per cent polling as against 58.23 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Similarly,
Chatra and Palamu constituencies recorded 62.05 and 64.35 per cent polling respectively as against 54.32 and 59.43 per cent in the year 2014.
Garhwa District Election Officer Harsh Mangala said that the polling percentage may go up as they were still compiling the data. The polling process was also briefly hampered with reports of EVM malfunctioning in some places in Garhwa district.
The DEO said after malfunctioning complain 20 VU and 12 CU and 102 VVPATs were changed. As many as 34 polling related complaint were lodged but they were immediately sorted out, he added.
Chief Electoral Officer, L Khiangte said that peaceful polling was conducted in the three constituencies and no serious complaints were received from anywhere. He said that in comparison with 2014 a Lok Sabha election there is a rise of about 4.6 per cent in polling percentage of the three seats. He said that on the directions of the Election Commission of India polling percentage was taken from each polling station in every two hours.
The CEO said that since the day of announcement of polls 81 complaints of violation of model code of conduct were received from three constituencies through C-vigil App. Out of the 81 complaints 28 were found true, while rest were dropped at DDC, RO/ARO level.
Khiangte further informed that a total of 1574 applications were received by candidates and political parties for rally, helipad constriction, temporary party office set up etc on Suvidha App. Out of these, he said that 987 applications were accepted.
As many as 59 candidates are trying their luck from the three constituencies with three incumbent MPs of BJP in the fray. BJP’s Sunil Singh is contesting against RJD’s Subhash Yadav and Congress’ Manoj Yadav in Chatra, while in Palamu BJP’s VD Ram is contesting against RJD’s Ghuran Ram. Union Minister Sudarshan Bhagat is contesting against Congress’ Sukhdeo Bhagat in Lohardaga.
