J'khand: 17 pc cast ballots, BJP MLA arrested

Koderma/Giridih, Nov 6: About 17 per cent of estimated 13,50,000 electorate exercised their franchise till 1000 hrs as polling to the Naxalite dominated Koderma Parliamentary seat comprising 13,49,091 voters began amids tight security arrangements.

From many booths voters complained that EVMs were not functioning properly.

BJP MLA from Bermo Yogendra Prasad Batul was arrested at Chanwara for moving in his car without any valid pass for movement of vehicles.

Vehicles of emergency cases including polling officials, security agencies and press were only allowed to ply.

Except for some group clashes between CPI(ML) and Jharkhand Vikash Morcha at some pockets, the polling was more or less peaceful so far.

Former Chief Minister and JVM president Babulal Marandi cast his vote at booth no 74 under Khoro and termed the polling as people's aspiration for a change of Jharkhand's politics.

The poll promises a fierce contest among UPA, BJP, JVM and 11 other independent candidates.

EVMs have been used in all 1618 polling booths comprising 453 hypersensitive and 554 sensitive ones.

Besides, 33 companies of para-military forces and 13 of the Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) companies, thousands of state police peronnel and hundreds of officers have been pressed into service to ensure a smooth election. Helicopters since yesterday had been hovering to check infiltration from bordering districts.

Of the total six districts, Dhanwar and Bagodar are considered most insurgent-affected places in which 111 and 184 polling booths have been identified as hyper-sensitive respectively.

The bypoll is being termed a ''litmus test'' to determine the future of Jharkhand politics.

Of the total voters, 238,584 are in Koderma, 236,554 in Barkathha,222709 in Dhanwar, 237,619 in Bagodar, 223,653 in Jamua while 189,972 are registered in Gandey.

UNI