Ranchi, Dec 8 (Inditop.com) The third phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections was under way Tuesday afternoon after beginning on a dull note.
The balloting will decide the fate of five former ministers, including former deputy chief minister Stephen Marandi and Hemant Soren, son of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren.
Security has been beefed up for the third phase as half of the 11 assembly constituencies going to the polls are considered Maoist strongholds.
According to a Jharkhand Election Commission official, the fate of 273 candidates will be decided Tuesday.
The 11 assembly seats are Bermo, Bokaro, Chankyarai, Dhanwar, Bagodar, Jamua, Hazaribagh, Shikaruipara, Dumka, Jarmundi and Jama.
The other key candidates in the fray are Shailendra Mahto of JMM and former minister Harinayan Rai.
In the first and second phases Nov 25 and Dec 2, a total of 40 constituencies saw polling.
The five-phased polling for 81 seats will end Dec 18 and vote count will take place Dec 23.
