Encouraging reports flooded the State Election Commission office on Tuesday as civic elections recorded impressive voter turnout with the exception at few places. Provisional polling percentage remained at 54.74 per cent as Koderma topped the chart among 11 urban-local-bodies that went to poll on Tuesday with 72.49 per cent turnout. "It (polling) has been very encouraging and very good. I congratulate voters who came out in great numbers to vote," said State Election Commissioner, Shiv Basant.
However, the encouraging figures at other locations were contrary to the lukewarm response to the polls in Ranchi where by-election was held for ward-39. Urban voters of Ranchi once again displayed distaste for democratic process as polling for the lone ward could barely reach 39.15 per cent. "People of Ranchi are VIP and they do not want to stand in queue. Nonetheless, look at the overall result which is definitely around 55 per cent," added the State Election Commissioner. Voting in ward-39 started on a slow note with 12 per cent polling by 9am and it jumped to 35 per cent by 12 noon finally resting at 39.15 per cent. The by-election for the ward was conducted as the seat became vacant after killing of the then ward councilor, Ratnesh Singh.
Meanwhile, incidents of violence were reported during poll hours at ward-37 in Jharia after supporters of two candidates clashed with each other. According to sources, irate mob damaged electronic-voting-machines at booth number 9, 10, 13, 14 and police had to resort to lathi charge to control the belligerent crowd. According to sources, few rounds of gunfire were also reported at the booth.
"Observe has recommended for re-poll at those booths," said an official of the SEC.
Counting of votes will take place on May 29.
Box:
Civic body Polling (in %)
Deoghar Municipal Corporation 58.25
Dhanbad Municipal Corporation 53
Chas Municipal Corporation 52.71
Medininagar District Council 46
Vishrampur District Council 66.60
Jhumritillaiya District Council 65.44
Koderma District Panchayat 72.49
Chakradharpur District Council 65
Manjhiaon District Panchayat 70.9
Ranchi Municipal Corporation (ward-39) 39.15
Mihijam District Panchayat (ward-4) 68.53