Ranchi: Jharkhand recorded around 71 percent voting in the fifth and final phase of polling on Friday for 16 Assembly constituencies, an official said. According to election commission data, 70.83 percent voting took place in the final phase of polling. The highest voting was recorded at Nala assembly with 78.01 percent and lowest at Dumka with 59.73 percent. The polling began at 7 a.m. for 16 seats located in Santhal Pargana region of the state. Voting concluded in five seats - Borio, Barnet, Littipada, Mahespur and Shikaripada at 3 p.m. and in the remaining 11 seats at 5 p.m.
There are a total of 237 candidates including 29 women whose fate will be decided by 40,05,287 voters. More than 35,000 security forces were deployed to ensure free and fair elections. The polling started late at two polling booths due to technical issues in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). In Kathikuna locality of Dumka, voters reached for polling on bullock carts. (IANS)