Young and first-time voters turned up in large numbers Thursday, as Jharkhand's last four Lok Sabha constituencies went to the polls. Over 27 percent polling was recorded in the first five hours, with Dhanbad witnessing a high turnout of 34 percent.
Polling began at 7 a.m. in Dhanbad, Dumka, Rajmahal and Godda.
Long queues of voters were seen in many places.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Shibu Soren cast his vote in Bokaro district. Former chief minister and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) president Babulal Marandi faces Soren in Dumka.
Kavita, a first-time voter in Dhanbad, said: "I am voting for the first time. We want a government that will create jobs."
Over 61 lakh electors will decide the fate of 72 candidates in the fray.
Polling is taking place at 7,489 polling stations. Around 45,000 security personnel have been deployed.
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