Campaigning for the third and final round of polls in four constituencies of the State-Godda, Dumka, Rajmahal and Dhanbad-ended on Tuesday with the Election Commission maintaining that adequate security arrangements have been done to ensure fair, peaceful polls and 20 percent more voters turning up at booths.
A total of 72 candidates are in the fray this time, including six women, in the four constituencies which go to polls on April 24.
Out of 7489 polling booths, Elections Commission will keep a close vigil on 400 booths by webcasting. 81 ambulances will also be put to work to deal with any untoward incident during the elections.
"There are a total of 6107310 voters in the four constituencies of which 3,14,100 are first time voters between the age group of 18-19 and one NRI voter exercising their franchise this time," said Chief Electoral officer PK Jajoria.
According to Jajoria, polling will be done on a total of 7489 polling booths of which 1154 polling stations have been identified as extra sensitive while 2439 as sensitive ones.
“Adequate security arrangements have been done on the polling day where over 38000 security personnel have been deployed to conduct free and fair elections during the third phase of polls in the State,” added Jajoria. Election Commission, to keep a tab on the polling process, a total of 1015 video cameras and 1954 cameras will be used on Thursday.
“We will be keeping a close vigil on over 400 polling booths during elections on Thursday through Webcasting,” he said.
The Commission, this time, is expecting a rise of 20 percent in total voting percentage. “A rise of 8.5 and 15 per cent was registered during the first and second phase of polling respectively. This time we are expecting a rise of 20 percent,” Jajoria said.
Out of a total of 7454 polling stations established during the third round of polls, 415 locations have been identified as model polling stations having some extra facilities there to encourage the voters to cast their votes. 11764 EVMs will be used during the third round of polls in the state.
Meanwhile, leaders of all political parties did extensive campaigning supporting their candidates in the four lok Sabha constituencies. Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay campaigning for JMM chief Shibu Soren has claimed that the UPA alliance will clean sweep in Santhal Pargana as it has succeeded in winning the trust of the masses by doing welfare works for the people.
Sahay seeking vote for Soren did road shows at various places in Dumka besides doing door to door campaign in the constituency.
Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda has also been campaigning for the last few days seeking votes in favor of BJP candidates in Santhal Pargana.
All eyes will be on Dumka seat where former chief minister and president of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) Babulal Marandi and another former chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren are locking arms.
Though, both Marandi and Soren having a large following in this tribal dominated constituency, Dumka has been the traditional seat of the JMM for more than three decades.
JMM chief Shibu Soren won the lok Sabha poll in Dumka for the first time in 1980. He was elected MP from here in 1989, 1991, 1996, 2002 by-poll, 2004 and 2009.
Soren and Marandi are against each other after 16 years. Marandi was defeated by Soren in 1991, and 1996. Marandi defeated Shibu Soren in 1998 and Rupi Soren, wife of Shibu Soren, in 1999. Marandi, an MP from Koderma, opted this time to fight from Dumka.