Despite threat of Naxal violence looming large over Maoists infested areas of Kolhan, people proved that ballot (now EVM) is powerful than bullet on Saturday during the second phase of election that took place here today.
Voter turnout was impressive in all the constituencies of Kolhan division Bahragora, Ghatsila, Potka, Seraikela and Kharsawan.
Despite poster war waged by the ultras in Seraikela Kharswan and West Singhbhum, the voters dared to come out and exercise their franchise.
District East Singhbhum registered 55.61 per cent, West Singhbhum 62.55 per cent and Seraikela Kharswan 58.05 per cent voting.
SSP Anoop Birtharay said that the second phase of polling was held peacefully under strict vigil. He said that both Election Commission and the district police made good co-ordination to ensure the elections are conducted in smooth manner.
Returning Officer Ravi Shankar Shukla said that the process to calculate the voting percentage is on.
However, according initial calculation Bahragora registered 68.38 per cent polling, Ghatshila 64.47 per cent, Potka 61 per cent.
While Jamshedpur East and West were 46.41 per cent and 43.22 per cent.
Prior to this the tribal people and police were seen moving freely in this area, despite Maoists gave a poll boycott call, but tribals took it casually.
The day began with low turned out. Almost all the polling booths were vacant, but as the day progressed the polling speed kicked-off.
It may be mentioned that Security forces comprising of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Jharkhand Jaguar assault groups, Jharkhand armed police, district police and home guards were deployed to ensure peaceful polling under threat of Naxalite effort to disrupt the polling.
Meanwhile, the model booths in East Singhbhum district were popular among voters making them keen to cast their vote for the Assembly polls.
Voters young as well as senior citizens loved the concept of model booth, some of which were decorated with flowers and balloons.
A voter said that though booths are usually very boring but he loved the new idea that was introduced since the general elections this time.
It makes one feel that they are a part of this great democratic process.
For ensuring the polling in a peaceful and hassle-free way, the administration had deployed over 250 companies forces from the CRPF, CISF, Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, Jharkhand Armed Police and District Armed police across three districts. They had set up 10 Quick Response Teams (QRT) comprising 15 armed personnel in each team to meet any emergency in the city.
