First phase of Jharkhand polls passes off peacefully, 53 percent votes polled - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The first phase of polling for 26 assembly seats in Jharkhand assembly passed off peacefully on Wednesday. State Joint Chief Electoral Officer AK Sinha said that approximately 53 percent electorates cast their votes in the polling, which ended at 3 p.m. The Election Commission had made elaborate arrangements for holding Phase One of the state Assembly elections in Jharkhand on Wednesday for 26 constituencies including Ranchi, Kanke and Hatia. The polling was held between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and elaborate security arrangement was put in place to meet any situation in view of threats from Naxals. Tight security arrangements were in place for ensuring free and fair polls. Strict vigil was maintained in Maoist infested areas. Four helicopters were pressed into service for aerial survey. The Election Commission had appointed 41 Observers and one thousand micro observers to monitor election process. The second phase of polling will be held on the December 2. Counting for the five-phase polling will be held on 23rd of December.