New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday said the healthy voter turnout in the just concluded Jharkhand assembly elections was a 'stinging rejection' of the Maoist rebels' call for boycott of the polls.

'This is a stinging rejection of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) and other militants who attempted to terrorise the people of Jharkhand into boycotting the elections,' Chidambaram said in a statement.

'The ultimate victor is democracy.'

'I am happy to note that the fifth and the last phase witnessed a turnout of 58.12 percent. The average for all the phases is 58 percent, a number that can truly make the people of Jharkhand proud,' he said.

The home minister pointed out that security forces and police faced innumerable challenges to ensure a free and fair poll but said that there were a few causalities.

'They showed exemplary bravery against the determined attempt of the Naxalites (Maoists) to disrupt the elections. In the process, 12 policemen lost their lives.'

The counting will take place Wednesday.