Voting for 43 assembly seats in Jharkhand started from 7 am on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all voters of Jharkhand to participate with full enthusiasm in the voting which began today in the state.
Modi wrote in a post on social media, “Today is the first round of voting in the Jharkhand Assembly elections. I urge all voters to vote with full enthusiasm in this celebration of democracy. On this occasion, I am going to vote for the first time.” My heartiest congratulations to all my young friends! Remember – first vote, then refreshment!”
The first round of voting in Jharkhand assembly elections is today. I urge all voters to vote with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I congratulate all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time! Remember – first voting, then refreshments!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2024
Voting has started in Jharkhand from 7 am on Wednesday. During this period, voters from 43 constituencies of 15 districts are exercising their franchise. The results will decide the fate of 683 candidates, including 73 women.
Before voting, mock voting was also done at various polling stations in Jharkhand. In the pictures, long queues of voters, including women, can be seen waiting to cast their votes.
Strict security arrangements have been made for voting. Voting will continue till 5 pm and will end at 4 pm at 950 sensitive booths spread across 31 constituencies. More than 200 companies of security forces have been deployed at strategic locations to maintain order and safeguard the electoral process.
The BJP-led NDA aims to oust the JMM-led alliance from power, which has prominent candidates like former chief minister Champai Soren and Congress leader Ajay Kumar in the fray.
Prominent candidates in the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections include former Chief Minister Champai Soren (BJP) in Seraikela and Ajay Kumar (Congress) in Jamshedpur East, where he is facing off against Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das.
In Jagannathpur, former Chief Minister Madhu Koda’s wife and BJP’s Geeta Koda are contesting against Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has fielded sitting Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji as its candidate from Ranchi.
Voting will be held on the remaining 38 seats of Jharkhand on November 20 and counting of votes will take place on November 23. In the last assembly elections, JMM had won 30 seats, BJP had won 25 and Congress had won 16 seats.
