Jharkhand: Final phase of polling begins

Ranchi, Dec 18: Voting for the fifth phase of Jharkhand assembly polls began at 7 am on Friday, Dec 18.

The final phase of polling will take place amid tight security arrangements including air surveillance as most of the constituencies under polls are Maoist strongholds.

Officials of Election Commission will also be observing the polling through webcams installed in eight booths.

“The officials of the EC in New Delhi and state EC in Ranchi are watching the polling through webcams in eight booths -- one each in Chaibasa, Sareikela, Garhwa, Chatra, Latehar, Barkatha and two in Palamau," a EC spokesperson was quoted as saying.

A total of 126 video and 378 digital still cameras have also been installed to oversee the polling. Six helicopters are being used for air surveillance.

The 16 constituencies going for polls include Chatra, Chaibasa, Latehar, Simaria, Panki, Hussainabad, Chhatarpur, Garhwa, Bhawnathpur, Manika, Bishrampur, Sareikella, Barkatha, Jagannathpur, Kharsawan and Daltonganj.

The big names contesting from these constituencies include ex-minister Kamlesh Singh, Bhanu Pratap Sahi, Geeta Koda, wife of former state chief minister Madhu Koda.

The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on Dec 23.

OneIndia News