Voting begins for final phase of polling in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Dec 18 : Voting for the fifth and final phase of Jharkhand assembly polls began Friday under heavy security arrangements including air surveillance, an official said.

In the last phase of polls, voting began at 7 a.m. in 16 of the 81 assembly seats. In this phase, a total of 290 candidates are in the fray.

Around 75,000 security forces including para military forces have been deployed to conduct peaceful polling. Six helicopters are also being used for air surveillance. The 16 seats where voting is taking place are Chatra, Lathear, Simaria, Panki, Bishrampur, Hussainabad, Chhatarpur, Garwah, Bhavnathpur, Manika, Chaibasa, Barkatha, Jagannathpur, Sareikella, Kharsawan and Daltonganj.

The key candidates in the last phase include ex-minister Kamlesh Singh, Bhanu Pratap Sahi, Geeta Koda, wife of former state chief minister Madhu Koda.

Counting of votes will take place Dec 23.