The second panchayat elections in Jharkhand after the State was carved out from Bihar, concluded peacefully as the fourth and final phase of polls was conducted across 41 blocks in 13 districts without any disturbance.
Becoming a testimony of faith rural populace of State has in local governance; the polls saw a very good voting percentage as voters — especially women — thronged polling booths to elect competent Panchayati Raj Institutions representatives of their choice.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das extended his best wishes to voters for actively participating in the democratic process, calling it to be a stepping stone towards betterment of villages of State.
“The enthusiasm shown by people of State towards the fourth phase of panchayat polls is commendable. Credit goes to villagers, polling staff, administration and Police Department for successful elections. I applaud interest shown by voters in electing the rural Government. Hopefully, development of villages will pick up pace following the election of local Government. This will also strengthen our Government’s goal to reach to last man with our scheme,” Das stated.
The fourth phase recorded polling percentage of 71.23 per cent with polls remaining undisturbed barring a few incidents across the State. The highest polling percentage was recorded in Dhanbad as 78 per cent voters from rural pockets of the district voted for electing a rural Government of their choice, followed by Ranchi (77.89 per cent) and lohardaga (75.01 per cent).
In Ranchi, voters from Tamar, Bundu, Rahe and Sonahatu exercised their franchise. 77.89 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the four blocks as polling ended after 3:00 pm.
The last phase of panchayat election was successfully entered at Sadar, Bhandra and Kairo block of lohardaga. The overall polling in these blocks was noted to be 75.01 percent.
The last phase of village local body election concluded peacefully in Hazaribagh too with 69.60 per cent of electorate exercising their voting rights. Once again women came out in huge numbers in this phase too as 72.67 per cent female voters used their voting rights while only 66.53 per cent male voters came out to cast their vote.
Polling was conducted peacefully in Palamu barring an incident of hooliganism. Four miscreants were detained by Bishrampur police for creating nuisance at a booth in Panjaree Kalan, informed Palamu DIG Saket Kumar Singh. Two weapons have also been seized from their possession, he added.