Ranchi: The second phase of Jharkhand elections saw a 54.2 per cent turnout on Wednesday, with people coming out to vote even in Maoist strongholds. Polling was largely peaceful, barring one incident in which a security personnel was killed.
According to election officials, 54.2 per cent of eligible voters cast the ballot for polls to 14 of 81 assembly seats. Twelve of these fell in Maoist areas. The polling percentage was marginally better than that in the first phase November 25.
Voting began on a violent note when a poll team was targeted by Maoist rebels in Giridih district, resulting in the death of one security personnel.
"Barring one incident, polling was peaceful. We provided full protection to voters and polling officials. Roads saw adequate security which resulted in a good turnout of voters," Jharkhand police spokesperson V H Deshmukh told IANS.
While Ramgarh assembly seat saw the highest turnout at 62 percent, the lowest was at 42 per cent in Tamar constituency.
Polling began at 0700 hours (IST) But in seven booths, voting started late due to problems with electronic voting machines (EVMs). No voters turned up in at least three polling booths due to the Maoist threat.
Maoist guerrillas targeted a polling team, killing one personnel near Teliabahiyar village, about 190 km from here, in Giridih district.
"Maoist rebels triggered a blast when polling officials were going to the polling booth on foot around 0500 hours (IST). One Central Industrial Security Force personnel was killed," Deshmukh said.
Due to security reasons, polling is being held from 0700 hours (IST) to 1500 hours (IST) in all the five phases of the Jharkhand polls.
Four helicopters of the Indian Air Force and the Border Security Force have been pressed into service for surveillance. Around 35,000 security personnel, including paratroopers, have also been deployed.
There were 259 candidates in the fray in the second phase.
The Congress and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) fought in 11 and three seats respectively as part of an alliance. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and JD-U fought in 11 and three seats again as part of an alliance, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 14, the Communist Party of India contested in three, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in one and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in 14.
The fate of six former ministers, including the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) president and former state home minister Sudesh Mahto, has been sealed in this round.
Another key candidate was Masi Charan Munda, 34, a jailed Maoist who contested from Khuti constituency on a JMM ticket.
The five-phase elections will end on December 18 and the counting takes place December 23.
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