New Delhi: Sending out a strong message
before the final phase of elections, the Centre today asked
the people of Jharkhand to "rebuke and reject" those who
oppose the principles of democracy and to cast votes
fearlessly in the Assembly polls on Friday.
In a message, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the voters
in Jharkhand demonstrated their maturity, wisdom and courage
in the first four phases and they will do so in the fifth
phase too.
"I would once again urge the voters in Jharkhand to turn
out in large numbers and vote fearlessly and elect candidates
of their choice," he said.
The Home Minister said misinformation was being spread
that the last phase would be difficult and it would 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. These forces are more than prepared to
meet the challenge of the CPI (Maoist) and others who are
intent on destroying the very foundations of democracy.
"It is within the power of the people to rebuke and
reject all those who are opposed to the principles of
Parliamentary democracy," he said.
According to the official figures, 53.1 per cent voters
exercised their franchise in the first phase, 58.8 per cent in
the second phase, 57.2 per cent third phase and 64.3 per cent
in the fourth phase.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 00:37