A turnout of 62.8 per cent was recorded till 3 pm when voting ended in the first round of polling in Jharkhand today, news agency Press Trust of India reported. The percentage is likely to rise as some people who are in the queue cast their vote. Hours after voting began in 13 constituencies of Jharkhand, a bridge in Bishnupur in Gumla district was blown up by Maoists this morning. No injuries have been reported. Senior police officer Shashi Ranjan said voting was not affected. In the state elections, the ruling BJP, which is contesting for the first time without an ally, faces a tough challenge from the united opposition parties. The polling began at 7 am.
