The Election Commissions (EC) efforts to increase the voters’ participation in the upcoming general election had shown an encouraging result in the far-flung Maoist hit areas – Chatra, lohardaga, Palamu and Koderma that went to the polls in first phase on Thursday is reporting impressive turnout as compared to that of previous election.
Despite there was a serial landmine blast and reports of firing on the school building before polling started in laat Village of latehar district in Chatra, an overall turnout of 57.84 per cent was registered increase of around eight percentage points over 2009. Palamu witnessed the highest turnout of 59.41 per cent, while Koderma saw 58.73 per cent polling, lohardaga 58.32 per cent and Chatra 54.37 per cent respectively.
The record jump in turnout from 2009 in the four red affected zones is being seen as a clear indicator for the public gusto for the much needed change in the society. Palamu had recorded 45.97 per cent turnout in the last lok Sabha poll, which has now jumped over 14 per cent. In Chatra the turnout registered nine per cent rise over 45.68 per cent in 2009. lohardaga has also shown a rise of five per cent turnout from 53.42 per cent recorded in 2009.
“This has become a reality. The residents of Maoist affected areas have broken the ‘bullet fear’ tag and came out in large number to exercise their franchise. Women have also this time extended their remarkable contribution,” said Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Jajoria
Meanwhile, responding to the query over the reason behind the inspiring voters’ turnout in the naxal hit areas Jajoria added, “The highest voter turnout was because of the awareness campaign started by the election Commission across the map.” He further added that besides awareness campaign, tight security arrangements and use of 11 other testimonies to furnish the identity and age verification for the voter slip deprived candidates have collectively acted behind voters’ good response at the polling station.
Interestingly, an elaborate security arrangement was made at the polling stations to protect the voters from the naxal attack. “Regarding security arrangements all the police personnel were already deployed in and around the polling stations, specially the critical stations. We have also received the help from Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police officials in ensuring the security of the voters’,” said Additional Director General (ADG) to police law and Order KS Meena.