AGENCIES/ RANCHI
Filing of nominations for the fifth and final phase of Assembly elections in Jharkhand ended last evening. Polling for this phase would be held on 20th of this month in 16 constituencies spread over six districts. Scrutiny of papers would be undertaken today and the last date for withdrawal of names is December 6.
In the meantime, Election Commission is busy in giving a final touch to the preparedness of polling to be held on Saturday. Special police observer MK Das today took stock of security arrangements in Simdega and West Singhbhum districts.
Campaigning is in full swing in poll-bound constituencies for the second and third phase. Twenty constituencies spread over seven districts will go to the polls in the second phase on the 7th of this month. Polling for seventeen constituencies spread over eight districts will be held in the third phase on 12th of this month.
Star campaigners and prominent leaders of all major parties including BJP, Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) have intensified canvassing in support of their candidates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held two public meetings at Khunti and Jamshedpur today.
Intensive public meetings and rallies are being organized by all national and regional parties seeking votes for their candidates. Besides allegation and counter-allegations against each other leaders of political parties are promising voters employment, scholarship to students, reservations for women in government jobs and protection of land rights of tribal population.