Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024 : Voter turnout of 65% recorded in 43 seats till 5pm

In poll-bound Jharkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Congress 'shehzada' wants to remove reservations for SCs, STs, OBCs." Modi also said during his rally in Deoghar, " JMM-led govt playing with security of Jharkhand's 'beti, maati, roti'; BJP won't allow infiltration."

Till 1 pm, Jharkhand has recorded a voter turnout of 46.25 % across 43 constituencies, according to Election Commission of India.

As voting is underway in 43 constituencies in Jharkhand, Congress leader Manickam Tagore has exuded confidence in INDIA bloc's victory. "People of Jharkhand have decided to vote for the INDIA alliance. We all know that PM Modi, HM Shah, Himanta Sarma tried to divide the people on faith issues, and illusionary issues, but the welfare schemes, and the narrative of INDIA alliance has resonated with the people of Jharkhand, and we are heading for a huge victory," Congress leader Manickam Tagore told PTI.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated the seven poll promises made by INDIA bloc as he appealed people in Jharkhand to exercise their franchise. Gandhi said in a post on X, "Brothers and sisters of Jharkhand, today the first phase of voting is taking place in your area. I appeal to all the voters to cast your vote to protect your rights and strengthen the Constitution and democracy. Your every vote for INDIA will bring prosperity in your life through 7 guarantees - protect water, forest and land and empower social justice."

At 11 am on Wednesday, Jharkhand has recorded a voter turnout of 29.31% across 43 constituencies, as per the Election Commission of India.

Bypolls are underway in Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam, Bihar, Chhattigarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Check voter turnout in the constituencies where bypolls are being held.

In Jharkhand, Simdega recorded the highest voter turnout at 15.09%, followed by Lohardaga at 14.97% and East Singhbhum recorded the lowest voter turnout at 11.25% at 9 am, according to Election Commission of India.

Brisk voting is underway in multiple polling booths in Jharkhand. Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi has appealed voters of Koderma to vote for BJP candidate Dr Nira Yadav.

Speaking to PTI, Devi said, "I want to appeal to voters in 43 constituencies to vote, every vote is important, by voting they can form a stable government. I would like to tell the voters of Koderma to vote for BJP candidate Dr Nira Yadav. Women are not safe today. As we show unity during our festivals, we should also exhibit it during the voting... The state had mineral resources, the hill of Sahibganj is almost finished, sand smuggling is at peak, we are seeing all this, people are also witnessing it, corruption is at peak, people are struggling with their problems, nobody is listening to them, hence people have decided to form an NDA government, which will work in favour of the people. People have also seen the government of Raghubar Das, people could dial 181 and share their problems. An NDA government will be formed with full majority."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi has appealed people of Jharkhand to vote in large numbers. In a post on X, Priyanka wrote, "My dear brothers and sisters of Jharkhand, Today is the day to use the rights given to you by the Constitution and elect a welfare government for yourself. For the respect of the tribals, for the self-respect of Jharkhand and for the protection of your water, forest and land, participate enthusiastically in this great festival of democracy, vote in large numbers and make India victorious."

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh has cast his vote at a polling station in Ranchi, as seen in a video posted by news agency ANI.

Voting for Raipur City South bypolls is underway amid tight security in Chhattisgarh. The bypolls was necessitated after sitting BJP legislator and former state minister Brijmohan Agrawal resigned after he was elected to Lok Sabha earlier this year.

Polling began at 7 am and there are 2,71,169 electors, including 1,33,800 men, 1,37,317 women and 52 transgenders in the constituency. As many as 30 candidates are in the fray and the election mainly a contest between the BJP and Congress is fought between saffron party's Sunil Kumar Soni and Akash Sharma of the grand old party.

With PTI inputs

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah who vowed to introduce Uniform Civil Code in Jharkhand by keeping tribal out of the ambit, has reiterated his roti-beti-mati pitch. In a post on X, "I appeal to all the voters going to vote in the first phase of Jharkhand to cast record votes for the creation of a corruption, infiltration and appeasement free and developed Jharkhand. Vote in large numbers for the protection of tribal identity, security of women and employment for the youth in Jharkhand. Today, first vote for Roti-Beti-Mati and then have refreshments."

As first phase of polling is underway in Jharkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to exercise their franchise in full enthusiasm. Modi also congratulated first time voters. "Today is the first round of voting in the 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!" Modi wrote in a post on X.

BJP: 20 candidates (56% of total candidates in first phase)

JMM: 11 (48%)

Congress: 11 (65%)

RJD: 3 (60%)

AJSUP: 3 (75%)

JD(U): 2 (100%)

LJP(RV): 1 (100%)

Of the 43 seats in this phase, 29 or 67% have at least three or more candidates with criminal cases. The Barkatha seat has the most such candidates at 11.

Bangladeshi infiltration was projected as a major issue by the BJP during election campaign in Jharkhand. Commenting on the issue, JMM candidate from Ranchi seat Mahua Maji told PTI, "There will be no impact (of Bangladeshi infiltrators issue) as the BJP itself is facing the damage. This is entirely an issue of the central government... the Centre has failed in protecting the nation. If someone is coming from this (Bangladesh) side, then tomorrow anyone can enter from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China. The Home Minister should resign as he has failed to secure the country. States should not be blamed for this."

In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the BJP's overall tally declined to 8, it also led in 26 of the 43 Assembly segments that are voting in the first phase. In the INDIA bloc, the Congress led in 12 segments and the JMM in six. In terms of vote share in the first-phase seats, the BJP led with 49.88%, followed by the Congress at 22.23%, the JMM at 11.23%, and the RJD at 5.45%.

Back in 2019 Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance ousted the BJP and Hemant Soren emerged as the Chief Minister. However, the JMM-alliance had struggled in the Lok Sabha held a month ahead of 2019 Jharkhand Assembly elections.

Now, looking back at numbers, the BJP-led alliance had won 12 of the state’s 14 Lok Sabha seats, with the JMM and ally Congress winning one seat each. The JMM emerged as the single largest party with 30 Assembly seats, of which 17 were won among the seats where polls are being held today. Thirteen of the BJP’s 25 total seats were won from these 43 first-phase seats, followed by the Congress at eight of 16. JMM and Congress ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) won its only seat here. Smaller parties, including the erstwhile Babulal Marandi-led Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik), and Independents won the remaining four first-phase seats.

The seats going for polls today in Jharkhand are mainly located in the tribal-dominated South Chotanagpur, northern Palamu and Kolhan regions. Out of the 43 seats, 20 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and six for Scheduled Castes (SCs). Two of these – Chatra and Simaria – are located in the state’s most backward district, also called Chatra.

Hello and welcome to Jharkhand Election 2024 Live blog! Jharkhand Assembly election kicks off today with 43 of its 81 seats going to polls in the first phase. These seats are spread across the Kolhan coal belt, the tribal-dominated South Chotanagpur and the northern Palamu regions. In key contest, former JMM CM and sitting MLA Champai Soren of BJP fights former BJP leader Ganesh Mahali of JMM. Stay tuned here for latest updates.