50% voting in fourth phase of J'khand election

Over 50 per cent of the electorate cast their votes in the fourth phase of the assembly polls in 14 Maoist-affected constituencies in Jharkhand, which passed off peacefully today amid tight security.

Election Commission sources said here that the polling was by and large peaceful in the constituencies -- Bahragora, Ghatsila, Potka, Ichagarh, Majhgaon, Manoharpur, Chakradharpur, Torpa, Sisai, Gumla, Bishunpur, Simdega, Kolebira and Lohardaga.

The polling began at 7 am and continued till 3 pm. Security forces were deployed in large numbers and air surveillance was carried out, official sources said.

A total of 24,62,850 voters are eligible to cast their franchise to decide the fate of 233 candidates, including 20 women. With this, polling for 65 seats in the state has been completed.

Election in the rest 16 Maoist-affected constituencies will be held in the fifth and final phase on December 18. Polling for 51 seats has been completed in the previous three phases.

Results for all the 81 seats will be announced on December 23.