10.94 per cent polling recorded in J'khand in first two hours

The election officials said all preparations have been made to ensure fear and free polling till 4 pm.

Image only for representational purpose

Ranchi: An estimated 10.94 per cent of the 45.26 lakh electorate cast their votes in the first two hours of polling on Monday in three Lok Sabha constituencies of Jharkhand, in the first phase of elections in the state. Voters queued up before booths in Lohardaga (ST), Palamu (SC) and Chatra constituencies since early morning, as polling began at 7 am, an election official said. A large number of the women electorate were seen in urban areas of Palamu and Mandar in Lohardaga constituency, they said. The election officials said all preparations have been made to ensure fear and free polling till 4 pm. There are a total of 6,072 polling stations for the three seats, where 25,727 polling personnel have been deputed. Police said there was no untoward incident reported so far from any part of the three constituencies. A total of 45,26,693 voters will decide the fate of 59 candidates, including two women. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Sudarshan Bhagat is among the prominent candidates contesting from Lohardaga. He is facing Sukhdeo Bhagat, a Congress MLA and 'Mahagathbandhan' candidate.