Voting begins in Jharkhand assembly polls

Ranchi, Dec 14 (IANS) Balloting began Sunday in 15 of the 81 assembly constituencies in the fourth of the five-phase elections in Jharkhand, officials said.

Over 43 lakh voters, including more than 20 lakh women, will decide the fate of 217 candidates that includes 16 women.

Balloting will take place at 5,482 polling booths.

Voting on 13 seats began at 7 a.m. and will take place till 3 p.m., but will continue in the two constituencies of Dhanbad and Bokaro till 5 p.m.

Former chief minister Babulal Marandi is contesting from Giridih.

Ministers Mannan Mallik of the Congress, Haji Hussain Ansari of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Suresh Paswan of the Rashtriya Janata Dal are among the prominent candidates in this phase.