Lok Sabha elections 2019: Scuffles in tribal heartland, voter turnout increases in Jharkhand

Barring few reports of glitches in EVMs, incidents of violence at Godda and a poll boycott, Jharkhand’s fourth phase polls passed off “peacefully” in all three constituencies, officials said.

The final phase of Lok Sabha polls in Jharkhand registered a record voters’ turnout of 71.16%, a jump of nearly 3% over the 2014 polls in three tribal-dominated parliamentary constituencies of Rajmahal, Dumka and Godda, on Sunday.

polls across the 14 parliamentary constituencies in Jharkhand, held across four phases, came to an end. (PTI)

With this, polls across the 14 parliamentary constituencies in Jharkhand, held across four phases, came to an end.

Barring few reports of glitches in EVMs, incidents of violence at Godda and a poll boycott, Jharkhand’s fourth phase polls passed off “peacefully” in all three constituencies, officials said.

A scuffle involving Godda’s sitting MP Nishikant Dubey was reported at a booth in Pasai Poreyahat. Dubey alleged goons of JVM-P’s Godda candidate Pradip Yadav attacked him. The JVM(P) members, however, denied Dubey’s allegation.

Chief electoral officer (CEO)
L Khiyangate said they have not received any such report.

In Jamtara under Dumka constituency, villagers boycotted polls demanding better road and access to drinking water.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission suspended police personnel deployed at booth-11 of Barmasia village in Rajmahal for allegedly asking voters to cast their votes for a particular party