Campaigning for the second phase of elections in Jharkhand ended on Tuesday where six lok Sabha constituencies—Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Khunti, Hazaribagh and Giridih — go to polls on Thursday.
Admitting conducting elections in the sensitive areas as a major challenge, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) assured that polling in the State will be held peacefully as adequate security arrangements have been made for the second phase of elections in Jharkhand. “There is no need to panic we have made adequate security arrangements for the sensitive booths and at some extra sensitive booths, polling personnel will be airdropped for security reasons,” said CEO PK Jajoria while talking to media persons.
According to Jajoria, 2779 polling stations have been identified as highly sensitive while 3070 stations as sensitive and 1233 stations have been identified as normal ones. To keep a close vigil on the polling activities on those booths, 763 video cameras and 1194 still cameras will be installed during the polls. “More than 49,000 security forces will be deployed on 10177 polling stations to conduct free and fair polls during the elections,” Jajoria said. As many as 178 ambulances are also to provide medical assistance for the ailing persons during the elections this time, he added. Six choppers will also be deployed to keep a close vigil on the sensitive areas during the polls on Thursday.
Out of a total of 10177 polling stations in the six Parliamentary constituencies, 600 of them have been established as model polling stations during the second phase of polling. No hoarding of any political party will be allowed within the radius of 200 meters of polling station. “Six general, 14 expenditure, three police, and 1946 micro observers will also be keeping a close eye during the elections,” said Jajoria.
Remarkably, out of a total of 8525179 electorates, there are 388305 first time voters who are between the age group of 18-19. 14 trans-genders will also be exercising their franchise during the second round of polls in the State. Out of a total of 106 candidates in the fray, there are only seven female and 33 independent nominees. Candidate wise, Ranchi remains the largest constituency and Singhbhum the smallest one.
As many as 263 cases of violation of moral code of conduct from March 5 to April 14 have been registered so far out of which 247 were converted into FIRs. 829 persons have also been arrested in this regard. Khunti being the most sensitive constituency, 50 companies of CRPF, CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar and district police will be deployed for peaceful voting. Continuous search operations are being conducted in the constituency to avoid any untoward incident during the polls.
Some of the prominent candidates who are in the fray in the second phase are former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, AJSU Chief Sudesh Kumar Mahto, ex-MP from Ranchi Ram Tahal Chaudhary, son of former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha--Jayant Sinha, seven-time MP from Khunti and lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Karia Munda, sitting MP from Jamshedpur Ajoy Kumar, three-time MlA from Barkagaon loknath Mahto, JSCA president Amitabh Chaudhary and wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, Geeta Koda.