Ranchi, March 25: With over 50 per cent turnout of voters in 27 civic bodies today, the first municipal polls of Jharkhand since its creation in 2000 was largely peaceful, though sporadic incidents of rigging and violence were reported in the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) areas.

An overwhelming number of complaints of EVMs developing snags, however, poured in at district election offices in Lohardagga, Hazaribagh, Hussainabad (Palamau), Jamtara, Gamharia, Khunti and Latehar from morning. State election commissioner (SEC) M.K. Mandal told The Telegraph that re-polling could be ordered in about 20 booths across the state — most of them in RMC and one in Hazaribagh.

Other booths going for re-polling would be announced tomorrow when the respective district election officers-cum-deputy commissioners go through the reports of the presiding officer. “By late tonight, we would be in a position to declare where re-polling would be held,” said Mandal.

He added that except for a booth in Hazaribagh, the snags in other places were addressed immediately. “In one booth in Hazaribagh the snag could not be rectified. Re-polling has been announced at this booth tomorrow,” he said.

Polling was 60 per cent in Khunti, Latehar and Daltonganj, while more then 50 per cent voting was reported from several other districts. Barring bogus-voter cry and EVM snags, even the red-hit districts saw a healthy turnout. In Khunti Notified Area Committee, poll panel sources said, 50 per cent polling was recorded by 2pm. In Daltonganj, observer Noel Jojowar said “about 60 per cent votes have been cast”.

In the state capital, many unruly scenes were witnessed. Polling was withheld in booth 331 (Shradhanand Madhya Vidyalaya, Ratu Road) under ward 31 of RMC when about 50 youths stormed the premises. The mob destroyed ballot boxes and papers, and assaulted government staff. “Over 100 votes had been cast around 10.30am when the youths stormed the booth. They broke open the ballot box and destroyed all the votes. They also assaulted me,” said Pradeep Kumar Mahto, the presiding officer here.

Unused ballot papers were found scattered in many booths, suggesting foul play.

Dhurwa witnessed the maximum violence. Use of firearms, assault on presiding officer, snatching of ballot papers and terrorising voters were reported. Rapid Action Force had to be deployed.

Violence was reported from police station areas of Chutia, Bariatu, Jagannathpur, Lalpur, Sadar, Sukhdeonagar and Hindpiri.

A lathicharge was ordered at booth 270 in Niwaranpur when some youth attempted to disturb elections. Several people were injured. Some people vandalised a booth at Surendra Nath Centenary School. The situation turned tense and the district administration had to cancel the booth. At ward 8, a lathicharge was ordered to disperse two clashing groups. The police arrested two persons after some people tried to disturb the elections in Hatia Railway Colony and Hesag. Rigging was reported from Holy Cross School. At Hindpiri, three supporters of a deputy mayor candidate were injured when they attempted to stop bogus voting.