The electorates in the hinterlands of Jharkhand turned out in huge numbers to cast their votes in the second phase of the panchayat elections on Saturday.
The polling percentage was 72.52 percent, which exceeded the unprecedented 72.08 percent voters’ turnout seen in Phase 1. The highest voting percentage was recorded in Pakur with 82 percent, followed by Deoghar (80.65%), and Koderma (78.16%). Voters from Naxal-hit areas also turned up in huge numbers to participate in the democratic process, with 71.51 percent voters’ turnout registered in latehar and Simdega at 66.5 percent.
The polling booths were thronged by women voters later in the day as most men left for their workplaces after casting their votes in the early hours of voting. Elderly people too were seen queuing up in the afternoon outside the polling booths.
The second phase covered 74 blocks across 23 districts of the state. The electorates from these areas voted to choose their representatives for a total of 18,383 positions of ward members, mukhiyas, panchayat samiti and zila parishad members from among 40,353 candidates. Amid tight security, the second phase of panchyat poll passed off peacefully in Bermo, Kasmar and Jaridih blocks of Bokaro district.
About 60 percent voters turned up in Bermo, while 75 percent was reported in Jaridih and Kasmar blocks each, informed district officials.
Voters enthusiastically arrived at 593 polling stations as polling began at 7 am for choosing from among 1826 candidates for various positions. No untoward incidents were reported and the polling passed off peacefully in the district. Out of 593 booths, the distinct administration had classified 128 booths as hyper-sensitive and 328 booths as sensitive.
Polls passed off peacefully in Garhwa too with no untoward incident reported till the conclusion of polling. Around 72 per cent voters, including a record number of women, cast their ballot amid tight security arrangements.
The second phase of panchayat polls today covered six blocks in the district including Dhurki, Kharaundhi, Ketar, Bhawnathpur, Sagma and Nagar Untari. 71.32 percent poll was registered in Bhawnathpur block, while 72 percent in Ketar, 70 percent in Kharaundhi, 70.02 in Nagar Untari, 71 percent in Sagama and 73.73 percent polling registered. Meanwhile, 70 polling officers, including three sector magistrates were found absent from duty. DDC Sri Ram Tiwari has sought explanations from them for their absence.