New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) Ahead of the the fifth and last phase of polling in Jharkhand, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday called on people to vote in large numbers and not be cowed down by threats of violence from Left extremist rebels.
“The people of Jharkhand deserve our congratulations for the impressive turnout in the first four phases,” Chidambaram said in a statement, assuring voters that security forces were more than prepared to meet the challenge of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) and other rebel groups.

“Misinformation is being spread that the last phase will be difficult and will be interrupted by violent incidents engineered by CPI-Maoist. As I have said earlier, adequate security forces have been placed at the disposal of the Election Commission and the state administration,” he said.

The home minister called on voters to reject all those who were opposed to the principles of parliamentary democracy.

“The electorate in Jharkhand has demonstrated its maturity, wisdom and courage in the first four phases and, I have no doubt, the electorate will do so in the last phase too,” he said.

In the last four phases, the voter turnout has been encouraging, recording over 55 percent and in the fourth phase alone it was over 64 percent.

Voting for the staggered poll will end Friday and the votes will be counted on Dec 23 for the 81-member assembly.

The state has been under president’s rule since January after the then Chief Minister, Shibhu Soren lost a by-election and was forced to resign.

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