Amidst blistering wind, soaring temperature and scorching sun, high voter turnout was witnessed in the rural pockets of Dhanbad lok Sabha constituency on Thursday. Enthusiastic youths, women and rural voters took the polling percentage higher to 62 per cent in Dhanbad during the final phase of polling in Jharkhand.
Except few, no untoward incidents were reported during the day. Few villagers boycotted polls on four booths at Bokaro though polling remained largely successful across the constituency.Among the six legislative assembly segments of Dhanbad lS constituency, Chandankiyari relatively considered as rural pocket that traditionally has seen moderate voting, recorded 14 per cent surge and reached 70 per cent. The area has seen 56.38 per cent poll in 2009.
In the rural areas, voters including new and the aged willingly came out to cast their right but in urban pockets most of the voters did not bothered much and remained confined to their homes. Knowingly, the urban areas have greater literacy rate but of no help.‘NaMo’ wave is an important factor and in surprised surge in voter turnout, said Gaghender Kumar, a social analyst of Chas adding, “There are a number of factors which may have contributed to increased polling. Election Commission’s rigorous campaign towards the voters’ awareness increased the voting percentage across the constituency”, he added.
Besides EC, many SHG, NGOs in rural areas have done well in spreading awareness among the voters. Dhanbad lok Sabha constituency comprises the six legislative assembly segments — Bokaro, Chandankiyari, Sindri, Nirsa, Dhanbad and Jharia. Bokaro recorded only 51 per cent while Chandankiyari recorded 70 per cent with 8 to 11 per cent rise compared to 2009 poll, said Uma Shankar Singh DC Bokaro.
Meanwhile, hundreds of the voters boycotted poll on booth number 382,383,463 and 464 while only one vote is recorded on booth no 126, informed the DC.Irked over the estranged attitude of politicians, thousands of the villagers boycotted the poll. Few weeks ago they have burnt their Voter’s ID cards and decide not to cast their right for NOTA even.The villages lack basic amenities like road connectivity, health, drinking water, education and employment facilities. These villages are deprived of the Government welfare schemes as all of them does not falls either under any Panchyat or municipality.
On three booths including booth no 312 stone pelting and clash were reported.