All arrangements made for a tight security seem to failed in bringing the voters out from their homes to the two polling booths where election was cancelled following destruction of EVMs in the Naxal attacks on April 24.
Though no incident of violence occurred when the polling concluded at 3 pm, the booths under Shikaripara Assembly segment saw just 26 per cent turnout; the lowest so far in all the three phases conducted in Jharkhand.
Informing about the re-poll, Chief Electoral Officer of the State PK Jajoria said, “26 per cent voter turnout has been recorded on the two polling booths which underwent poll on Monday.
Polling on booth number 100-Primary School Jamakandar and booth number 101-Upgraded Middle School Asna which had commenced at 7 in morning and concluded at 3 pm. The polling was conducted peacefully.”
Dumka DC Harsh Mangalam said over phone that the booth number 100 recorded 39 per cent polling while the second one saw as low as 14 per cent electors turning out. There are about 1300 voters registered at the two booths. The booths had to go for a re-poll after the polling party carrying EVMs came under horrifying naxal attack on April 24 that saw eight including five security personnel and two polling officials being killed leaving several others injured.
“Voters were not looking interested in going for polls. They say when the police are unable to safeguard poll officials and themselves what about us. More than fear, they are sounding frustration against the administration and resentment over its functioning,” said a local journalist from Dumka.
Dumka had seen nearly 64 per cent polling on April 24 like other districts who had seen healthy turnouts. Dumka is a reserved lok Sabha constituency where heavyweights like Shibu Soren and Babulal Marandi besides Sunil Soren of the BJP are into an intense triangular contest.