Attempts by Maoists to obstruct voter access to polling booths during the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections by felling a tree to block a road to Sonapi and Morangponga areas of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand were foiled by security forces on Monday, officials have said.
"We received reports of Maoists blocking a road with a felled tree near Sonapi to hinder voters from reaching booth numbers 24 and 25 in Chotanagar police station area, which collectively accommodate 1,522 voters. We ensured that voters were able to cast their ballots, resulting in a turnout of 50.94% and 15.43% respectively in these two booths by 10:30 am," West Singhbhum deputy commissioner and district election officer Kuldeep Chaudhary told PTI.
Polling to Singhbhum ST seat, which is also home to Saranda, Asia's densest Sal forest and one of the worst-hit Maoist zones in the country, saw 26.16 per cent voting till 11am, officials said.
Singhbhum, a reserved constituency for Scheduled Tribes, boasts 14.32 lakh voters, with 7.27 lakh being women.
Geeta Kora, the incumbent MP and spouse of former chief minister Madhu Koda, has been nominated by the BJP, while MLA Joba Manjhi represents the INDIA bloc.
Kora, formerly the sole Congress MP from Jharkhand, recently joined the BJP.
The Singhbhum Lok Sabha constituency comprises six assembly constituencies — Seraikela, Chaibasa, Majhganon, Jagnathpur, Manoharpur, and Chakradharpur.
Apart from Seraikela, located in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, the remaining segments fall within West Singhbhum district.
Lok Sabha polls in Jharkhand are set to occur over four phases on May 13, 20, 25, and June 1. In the 2019 general elections, the BJP won 11 seats, with its ally AJSU securing one. Both the JMM and Congress also secured one seat each.
Follow us
