Lok Sabha elections 2019: Fate of former CMs, ministers sealed in Jharkhand

Among the 61 candidates in the fray were two former CMs Arjun Munda and Babulal Marandi, and two union ministers, current minister of state Jayant Sinha and former union minister Subodh Kant Sahay of Congress.

Amid reports of glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and poll boycott in few booths, elections in Jharkhand’s four constituencies of Ranchi, Koderma, Khunti and Hazaribag, passed without incident, as 65.12% polled in the fifth phase of the ongoing general elections.

Voters stand in a queue to cast their vote during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, at a polling booth, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, on Monday, May 06, 2019. (Diwakar Prasad/ Hindustan Times)

Among the 61 candidates in the fray were two former CMs Arjun Munda and Babulal Marandi, and two union ministers, current minister of state Jayant Sinha and former union minister Subodh Kant Sahay of Congress.

“Excluding incidents of few EVM glitches, the overall polling passed off peacefully across the four constituencies. No case of violence or (disruption of) law and order was reported at any of the booths,” said chief electoral officer (CEO) L Khiyangate.

Khiyangate said 47 ballot units, 35 control units and 218 VVPATS were replaced during the polling. In a bid to attract voters, 347 model booths and 105 all-women booths were also set up in the constituencies.

A section of villagers in Hazaribag reportedly boycotted the poll demanding good roads in Barkagaon village. Election officials said they were examining the case.