Amidst the shadow of Naxal threat hovering around, the rural populace living in Red zone of East Singhbhum district reposed their faith in democratic process by turning out in a moderate number for using their franchise in the parliamentary elections.
Around 65 per cent votes were cast in the polls for Jamshedpur parliamentary seat, which ended peacefully here, while Singhbhum parliamentary seat recorded 63 per cent voting.
Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer Amitabh Kaushal said the entire voting process was held peacefully under strict vigil. He said that the parliamentary seat has witnessed overwhelming response.
Voting for Jamshedpur lok Sabha poll started here this morning amid tight security and aerial surveillance. The polling began at 7 am and ended at 4 pm. long queue of voters were seen at several places including Jugsalai and Mango.
Meanwhile, 800 police force of the district along with jawans of CRPF, Jharkhand Armed Police, homeguards, Rapid Action Police (RAP) and Rapid Action Force were involved in the security of the 1626 polling booths in the constituency.
The Jamshedpur parliamentary constituency has 15,51,297 voters and 1,626 booths . Presently, Jamshedpur lok Sabha constituency comprises the following six Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly) segments Baharagora Ghatshila, Potka, Jugsalai, Jamshedpur East and Jamshedpur West.
The leading candidates in the poll battle from Jamshedpur are JVM’s Ajoy Kumar, BJP’s Vidyut Baran Mahto and JMM’s Niroop Mahanty.
In Singhbhum seat, Geeta Koda, is pitted against BJP's laxman Gilua. Geeta today was apparently confident to retain her husband's seat with a huge marigin. Geeta is contesting for the Singhbhum seat on Jai Bharat Samanta Party (JBSP), a party floated by her scam-tainted husband Madhu Koda in 2009.
A sitting MlA of Jagannathpur constituency, Geeta, said that in her home constituency the voting was being done in her favour in a great number, but in other assembly constituencies also she is getting feed-back of a swing of votes in favour considerably.
Voters in rural areas were enthusiatic to cast their votes early and by 10.30 am, 25 percent of votes had been done in almost all polling booths in places like Hatgamharia, Jhinkpani, Jagannathpur and Chaibasa mufassil. long queues of voters, including a large number of women were seen standing for casting their votes.