Jharkhand polls: 65 pc voter turnout in 43 assembly seats

A voter turnout of more than 64.86 per cent was recorded in the 43 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where polling was held in the first phase on Wednesday, officials said.

Lohardaga district topped the list with 73.21 per cent polling while Hazaribag district recorded the lowest at 59.13, officials said and added that polling continued till 5.00 pm.

The poll percentage in other districts were Seraikela-Kharsawan (72.19), Gumla (69.01), Simdega (68.66), Khunti (68.36), Garhwa (67.35), Latehar (67.16), West Singhbhum (66.87) , Ramgarh (66.32), East Singhbhum (64.87), Chatra (63.26), Palamu (62.62), Koderma (62), Ranchi (60.49) and Hazaribag (59.13).

Former CM Champai Soren and ex-MP Geeta Kora were among the 683 candidates in fray in the first phase.

"Today is the first round of voting in Jharkhand assembly elections. I urge all voters to vote with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy. On this occasion, my heartiest congratulations to all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time! Remember - first vote, then refreshment!," Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X.

Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar cast his vote at the ATI polling booth in Ranchi.

"Today is the first phase of voting for the Jharkhand Assembly elections. I urge all voters to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Remember, first vote and then refreshment!" Gangwar said.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren sought people's support in the elections. In a post on X, he said, "If you like our work, please support us. I promise that I will do 10 years of work in the next 5 years so that no one can stop our pace of progress."

While the JMM-led coalition is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, including Maiyan Samman Yojna, the BJP has been campaigning with its aggressive Hindutva agenda, infiltration and alleged corruption by the current dispensation.

During the day, Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, state Health Minister Banna Gupta, former chief minister Champai Soren and JD(U) candidate from Jamshedpur West seat, Saryu Roy, were among those who cast their votes in the first phase of assembly elections.

Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP chief JP Nadda held several rallies where they attacked the JMM-led coalition over alleged corruption and infiltration.

INDIA bloc leaders including Congress' Rahul Gandhi, its president Mallikarjun Kharge, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife and legislator Kalpana Soren highlighted welfare schemes and accused the BJP-led Centre of unleashing all the central agencies, including ED, CBI and I-T, against opposition leaders.

In all, 1.37 crore voters are eligible to participate in the first phase of voting. A total of 683 candidates — 609 men, 73 women and one third-gender candidate — are competing for 43 seats. These seats are divided into 17 general, 20 scheduled tribe, and 6 scheduled caste constituencies.

To facilitate the voting process, 15,344 polling stations have been set up, with 1,152 managed entirely by women and 24 booths specifically manned by specially abled people, according to Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar.

Since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, authorities have seized illegal materials and cash worth Rs 208.78 crore. Additionally, 58 cases have been registered for violations, with the maximum 29 in Garhwa district.

Both the NDA and INDIA bloc pulled out all stops to ensure their victories with BJP focusing on ‘Roti, Beti, Maati’ and the INDIA bloc trying to capitalise on "suppression of the voice of a tribal CM".

Key battles include former Chief Minister Champai Soren, who is contesting on a BJP ticket in Seraikela, facing JMM's Ganesh Mahli.

Geeta Kora, wife of former CM Madhu Koda, is contesting against Congress' Sona Ram Sinku in Jagannathpur. Veteran Congress leader Rameshwar Oraon is up against AJSU's Shanti Bhagat in Lohardaga, while JD(U)'s Saryu Roy is facing Congress’ Banna Gupta in Jamshedpur (West).

The second phase of voting will take place on November 20, and counting is scheduled for November 23.

In the 2019 elections, the JMM secured 30 seats, the BJP won 25, and the JMM-led alliance with Congress and RJD won a majority with 47 seats. The current assembly consists of 74 members, with the JMM-led coalition holding 26 seats, Congress 17, and RJD 1.