Madhu Koda's wife optimistic, says corruption charges would not affect her votes

Jagannathpur (Jharkhand), Dec 18 (ANI): Geeta Koda, the wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, who is contesting from Jagannathpur assembly seat here appears to be optimistic and said that corruption charges against her husband would not have a negative impact on the minds of voters.

Madhu Koda is involved in the Rs 4000 crore money laundering scam.

The polling for the fifth and final phase of the five-phased Jharkhand assembly elections began amidst tight security on Friday morning.

Tight security arrangements have been made, as there are chances of violence taking place in the Maoist-dominated areas.

Around 75,000 security personnel and six helicopters have been pressed into service to ensure peaceful conduct of polls.

Violence has been reported in the state as polling got underway in the morning. Two policemen have reportedly been killed and a school building has been blown up.

There are also reports that a policeman belonging to the Jharkhand Armed Police got injured at Mahur in the landmine blast detonated by suspected Maoists.

A total of 290 candidates are in the fray with nearly 3.5 million voters to cast votes between 7 am to 3 pm.

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

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.

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