Voting begins for fourth phase of Jharkhand polls

Amid a poll boycott call by Maoists, voting for the fourth phase of Assembly elections in the Naxal-affected 14 constituencies of Jharkhand began Saturday morning.

A total of 24,62,850 voters are eligible to cast their franchise to decide the fate of 233 candidates contesting from Bahragora, Ghatsila, Potka, Ichagarh, Majhgaon, Manoharpur, Chakardharpur, Torpa, Sisai, Gumla, Bishunpur, Simdega, Kolebira and Lohardaga.

Polling began peacefully at 7 am and will go on till 3 pm, election commission sources said. Security forces, including strike reserve forces, have been deployed in all the constituencies, police said.

Polling for 51 seats has been completed in the previous three phases while the final phase will be held on December 18. Results will be announced on December 23.