Jharkhand Assembly Elections: First phase sees 66.51% voter turnout

SUMMARY

Voting in the first phase of Jharkhand’s Assembly elections concluded with a 66.51% turnout across 43 constituencies, as prominent political figures battle for seats in a tense contest. While some districts recorded impressive voter engagement, others, including the state capital Ranchi, saw a more moderate response. As political leaders rally support, the state’s first phase sets the stage for an intense electoral race.

By CNBCTV18.com November 14, 2024, 12:34:28 AM IST (Updated)

Voter turnout in Jharkhand’s first phase polls: Voting in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections has concluded in 43 constituencies across the state. On Wednesday, officials reported a voter turnout of 66.51%. Polling stations opened at 7 AM and closed at 5 PM. The first phase is being held in 15 districts, where residents are casting their votes to select their representatives for the upcoming five years.

Candidates and key figures in the contest: A total of 683 candidates are contesting the 43 seats in the first phase of the election. These include prominent political figures such as former Chief Minister Champai Soren and ex-Member of Parliament Geeta Kora, who are both competing for seats in the state assembly. These high-profile candidates reflect the intense competition taking place across the state.

Top districts in voter participation: The district of Seraikela-Kharsawan recorded the highest voter turnout by 3 PM, with a total of 76.02%. Lohardaga followed closely with 73.32%. Other districts with high voter engagement include Gumla (69.67%) and Simdega (68.63%). These districts have shown significant voter participation as residents head to the polls in large numbers.

Voter trends in key areas: In other areas, Khunti registered a 68.50% turnout, while Latehar had a participation rate of 68.33%. Garhwa recorded 68.42%, and West Singhbhum had a turnout of 68.63%. Ramgarh, another important district, registered 68.23%. These figures reflect the varied participation levels across different parts of the state, with some regions seeing more active voter turnout than others.

Lowest voter turnout in Ranchi: The lowest voter turnout was in Ranchi district, where only 62.64% of eligible voters cast their ballots. Other districts such as Palamu (62.97%) and Hazaribag (62.78%) had relatively lower turnouts as well. While many districts saw high participation, these areas displayed a more moderate level of voter engagement.

Leaders call for voter participation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a social media post, congratulated first-time voters and said, “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!” Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also cast his vote at the ATI polling booth in Ranchi.

Hemant Soren urges public support: Chief Minister Hemant Soren, leading the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in this election, has also appealed to voters for their support. Soren promised that, if re-elected, his government would work even harder to bring development, stating, “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.” His appeal highlights his government’s focus on welfare schemes, including the Maiyan Samman Yojna, and seeks to build on the progress made over the last few years.

BJP campaigns aggressively on Hindutva: The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been campaigning heavily on issues of Hindutva and national security. Party leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP chief JP Nadda, have held several rallies across the state. They have critiqued the JMM-led coalition government, accusing it of corruption and failing to control illegal infiltration. The BJP’s campaign focuses on these concerns, appealing to voters who seek a shift in governance.

INDIA Bloc targets BJP’s central control: In response, leaders from the INDIA bloc, which includes Congress, the JMM, and other regional parties, have been highlighting the welfare schemes introduced by the current government. They have also criticised the BJP-led central government for allegedly using its power over central agencies to target opposition leaders. Leaders such as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren have claimed that agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax (I-T) Department have been used to suppress opposition voices.

Key contests and voting details: A total of 1.37 crore eligible voters are registered to participate in the first phase of voting. These voters will decide the fate of 683 candidates, with 609 men, 73 women, and one third-gender candidate running for office. The seats are divided into three categories: 17 general, 20 scheduled tribe, and 6 scheduled caste constituencies. To facilitate voting, 15,344 polling stations have been set up across the state. Among these, 1,152 stations are managed entirely by women, and 24 polling booths are specifically designed for the specially-abled.

Phase two and previous election results: The second phase of voting in the Jharkhand Assembly elections is scheduled to take place on November 20. Counting of votes will occur on November 23. In the previous 2019 elections, the JMM-led alliance secured 47 seats, a majority in the assembly. The BJP won 25 seats, while the Congress secured 17, and the RJD won one. The current assembly has 74 members, with the JMM-led coalition holding 26 seats, Congress 17, and RJD 1.