Jharkhand polls: 35 percent voting recorded till noon

Ranchi, Dec 18 (ANI): Over 35 per cent voting has been recorded in the fifth and final phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand so far.

16 seats are going to poll in this round of the five-phased elections amidst tight security. he officials of the Election Commission in New Delhi and in Ranchi have been watching the polling through webcams in eight booths -- one each in Chaibasa, Sareikela, Garhwa, Chatra, Latehar, Barkatha and two in Palamau.

Around 75,000 security personnel and ten chopper have been pressed into service to ensure peaceful polls as most of the places are Maoist hit areas.

A couple of minor incidents have been reported from Palamu and Chatra but with no casualties.

Of the 81 Assembly seats in all, polling for 65 has already been completed in the four previous phases.

In the first phase of polling held on November 25, 53.1 per cent of the voters had cast their votes, followed by 58.8 per cent voting in the second phase on December 2 and 57.2 per cent in the third phase on December 7. Over 50 per cent turnout in fourth phase of polling.

Counting of votes will be held on December 23. (ANI)