08 December,2009 04:40 PM IST | | PTI
Between 47 per cent and 50 per cent of polling was recorded as the third of the five-phase polling ended by and large peacefully on Tuesday, barring stray incidents in Dumka and Giridih districts.
According to Election Commission officials here, initial reports put the polling percentage at 47 to 50 per cent which could rise. Stray incidents were reported in Dumka and Giridih districts but the situation was immediately brought under control, police said.
Polling ended at 3 pm in Hazaribagh, Dhanwar, Bagodar, Jamua, Bermo, Bokaro, Chandankiari, Shikaripara, Dumka, Jama and Jarmundi constituencies. Altogether 237 candidates, including 115 Independents, were in the fray.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi (Cong), ex-ministers Nalin Soren (JMM), Samresh Singh (JVM-P), JMM president Shibu Soren's son Hemant Soren and daughter-in-law Sita Soren were among the prominent candidates whose fate was sealed in the EVMs.
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The Congress and Babulal Marandi's JVM-P have pre-poll alliance while the BJP/JDU and the RJD/LJP/Left parties are fighting the elections together.
The fourth phase is scheduled on December 12 and the fifth and final round will be held on December 18. Results will be announced on December 23.