Much before the announcement of General Election results, people of Jharkhand today appeared to have won a decisive battle. It’s the battle of ballets over bullets signifying the triumph of people’s confidence in democracy over the fear psychosis in their minds.
Around 58.3 per cent of the voters — against 50-51 per cent in 2009 — turned out to exercise their franchise in four constituencies-lohardaga, Palamau, Koderma and Chatra-that have been ravaged by at least two decades of Maoist related violence.
large number of people, including youths, women and urban voters, came out to elect their MPs in their respective constituencies raising the poll percentage to about eight per cent from the last General elections in the first phase of polls in Jharkhand. The highest polling (district wise) was recorded in Giridih (65.25%) followed by lohardaga (63%), Garhwa (62.77%) and Koderma (61%) among others.
State’s Chief Electoral Officer PK Jajoria said that voting in four constituencies remained peaceful barring a few small incidents. However, he said that the Election Commission was expecting greater participation this election but the polling percentage could not increase much. “We were expecting increase of 20 to 25 per cent of voter’s participation from last elections but it did not happen. We have achieved an increase of 8 to 9 per cent since last elections. It was around 50 to 51 per cent last time and this time it is 58.3 per cent. The low turnout appears to be because of urban apathy, however, exact reasons will be known only after a survey,” said Jajoria.
In Palamau, where 59.39 per cent polling was recorded, voters of some relocated booths refused to cast votes. Palamau DC cum returning officer K N Jha said the matter had come to his notice adding there was suitable arrangement for their transportation by government vehicles which the voters refused to take advantage of. In Koderma, a large number of voters cast their voters. Even ladies, cutting across communities showed interest in coming out of their home to take part in voting.
Some small incidents were reported from the constituencies, including attack on one polling officer in lohardaga, tampering with EVM in Koderma and recovery of a bomb near a polling booth in Chatra.