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Ghatsila (Jharkhand), Nov 11 (IANS) The by-election for Jharkhand’s Ghatsila assembly seat concluded peacefully on Tuesday, with 73.88 per cent voting recorded till 5 pm, according to data released by the Election Commission.
Officials said the final voting percentage may increase further after data from remote areas is compiled.
Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar said the polling was conducted smoothly and was monitored through live webcasting from the Election Commission of India, CEO office, District Election Officer and Returning Officer office.
He said CCTV cameras have been installed inside and outside all 300 polling stations to ensure transparency and security.
“All arrangements were made to ensure that the by-election is free, fair and peaceful,” Kumar said. He said paramilitary forces, police personnel and magistrates were deployed at every booth.
A total of 300 polling stations were set up at 231 locations, many of which were developed as model booths equipped with voter assistance facilities.
Voting started at 7 am after mock poll at 5.30 am, all the polling parties reached their respective booths even before dawn. Long queues of voters were seen since morning – including women, youth and first-time voters.
Elderly and disabled voters also participated enthusiastically, arriving in wheelchairs and receiving assistance from election volunteers.
By 9 am, the voting percentage had reached 17.33 per cent, indicating a brisk start to voting which continued throughout the day.
Officials said no untoward incident or major complaint has been reported from any part of the constituency.
The by-election had become necessary due to the demise of sitting JMM MLA Ramdas Soren earlier this year. Among the 13 candidates in the fray, the main contest is between JMM’s Somesh Chandra Soren and BJP’s Babulal Soren.
With the completion of voting, the fate of all 13 candidates is sealed in the EVMs. The counting of votes will take place later this week along with the Bihar elections on November 14.
–IANS
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