In Jharkhand, the third phase of panchayat polling has begun today at 7 a.m. It will continue till 3 p.m. Security has been beefed up to prevent any untoward incidents. More than 180 companies of paramilitary and state police personnel have been deployed. Three helicopters has also been used for surveillance in Maoist infested areas. A total of 99 panchayats, spread over 61 blocks in 20 districts, will be covered by today’s poll. The five-phase panchayat elections began on Nov 27. The last panchayat polls were held in 1979 Jharkhand was part of Bihar.Security has been beefed up to prevent any untoward incidents. More than 180 companies of paramilitary and state police personnel have been deployed. Three helicopters has also been used for surveillance in Maoist infested areas. A total of 990 panchayats, spread over 61 blocks in 20 districts, will be covered by today’s poll. The five-phase panchayat elections began on Nov 27. The last panchayat polls were held in 1979 Jharkhand was part of Bihar.