New Delhi, Dec 11 (Inditop.com) An eagerness for democracy has led large numbers of people in Maoist-affected Jharkhand to exercise their voting right, the government said Friday, assuring the electorate of adequate security in the next round of the five-phase assembly polls.

The fourth phase of elections will be held Saturday. An average of 56 percent voting was recorded in the previous three rounds.

“The impressive turnout was largely due to the eagerness of the people of Jharkhand to participate in the elections and elect candidates of their choice,” Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in a statement.

Saying that “free and fair elections constitute the foundation of a democracy”, Chidambaram assured the people that the government was “committed to provide security so that the voters can exercise their right to vote without any sense of fear”.

“The administration in Jharkhand will provide security in the 14 constituencies that go to polls Dec 12,” he said.

The home minister urged the voters in these constituencies to turn out “in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice”.

The last phase of polling will take place Dec 18. Counting of votes will take place Dec 23.