Their desire to elect a competent rural government, despite threats from extremist outfits, manifested in the voter turnout as the electorate from the naxal-hit districts of the state thronged the polling booths in the first phase of three-tier panchayat elections-2015.
Even the districts infamous for being operating centres to left-wing extremism contributed equally to the unprecedented 72.08 voting percentage. Voters from latehar (71.51%), Gumla (69.92%), Simdega (65.35) and other districts falling in the red corridor broke the myth of naxal terror holding people back from participating in democratic processes.
After certain extremist groups boycotted the panchayat polls, state police force remained in touch with the villagers to assure them about the effectiveness of security arrangements. They were told about the local police stations and cluster points, and how to contact them, so that they can call for help in times of need during the electoral process.
“Residents of a village in Gumla called up the local police station, informing them about posters put up early in the morning by naxalites on the poll day. They were told to cast their votes and assured that sufficient security arrangements have been made in and around the polling booths and villages. They did so and the area registered voting percentage of 99 per cent,” shared ADG (Operations) SN Pradhan.
He further stated, “Naxals’ ploy to scare the voters out of exercising their franchise has failed completely. We were and are prepared to negate their every such attempt during the panchayat polls.”
The numbers also support the claims made by Jharkhand police. A total of 180 companies have been stationed in the hinterlands of the state as security detail for the rural government elections.
State Election Commission also did their part to ensure that peace of mind to voters as they came out to elect candidates of their choice for the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
“We made preparations to the best of capabilities. The hyper-sensitive and sensitive polling stations were identified and secured. Apart from this, we ensured safety of polling parties deputed in these areas. We made optimum use of available resources for providing security to voters and electoral officers,” stated State Election Commissioner Shiv Basant.
From what we observed, against perceptions from the urban areas, the rural populace does not take into account threats from extremist factions regarding assigning power to panchayats and villages, said Sudhir Pal, State Coordinator of Association of Democratic Reforms, an organisation working towards successful panchayat polls in state.
The attention to security during the first phase of panchayat polls will continue in the remaining phases too, with no scope for lags, assured ADG (Operations).