J'khand polls: 56.02 per cent polling recorded till 3 pm

An estimated 56.02 per cent of over 47 lakh electorate cast their votes till 3 pm on Monday in the fourth phase of Jharkhand Assembly polls in 15 constituencies, Election Commission officials said.

Voting ended at 3 pm at Jamua, Bagodar, Giridih, Dumri and Tundi seats while the process will end at 5 pm in the remaining constituencies, the officials said.

Voters turned out in large numbers in Tundi, Sindri constituencies of Dhanbad and Pirtand block in Giridih seat defying banners and wall paintings put up by suspected Naxals asking the electorate to boycott polls.

The families of prominent Maoists and the victims of Naxal violence were among those who exercised their democratic right.

Family members of Maoist Mishir Besra alias Samar Da of Madnadih cast votes at a booth in Pirtand. Besra is carrying a reward of Rs 1 crore on his head.

A senior district official said, "It seems democracy has prevailed in the Naxal-hit areas."