Jharkhand: The first phase of polling for the Jharkhand Assembly election begins on Saturday. Thirteen constituencies in six districts of Jharkhand go to polls in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly election today, in which a state minister and state PCC president are key contestants.
Over 37 lakh electorate, who are eligible to exercise their franchise, will decide the electoral fortune of 189 candidates, including 15 women candidates in the first phase of Assembly elections, said Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vinay Kumar Choubey.
Security has been beefed up in these constituencies and adequate arrangements have been made at all polling booths.
The district administration in Jharkhand has tightened the security in two assembly constituencies Latehar and Manika, where a Naxal attack took place a few days ago. The administration has expressed confidence that they have made all the requisite arrangements and are sure that the voting will take place in a peaceful manner in these constituencies.
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PM Modi appeals people to exercise their right to vote for Jharkhand assembly election, tweets, “hase 1 of the Jharkhand elections is in progress. I urge those whose constituencies go to the polls today to vote in large numbers & enrich the festival of democracy.”
Voting delayed in two polling booths in Latehar – Ambawtikar and Ashram school booths, due to techical snag.
I have made every possible effort for the development of Lohardaga. I want to reduce the problems of citizens: BJP candidate Sukhdev Bhagat.
13.23 per cent voting was registered in the first two hours in Latehar assembly seat where the Left insurgents had killed four policemen just a few days ago.
Sanjay Jaiswal exudes confidence about Raghubar Das’ victory in the election, says BJP will come back for the second consecutive term with full majority.
Breaking: Naxals blow up a bridge in Bishnupur in Gumla district. No injuries reported. Deputy Commissioner Shashi Ranjan says voting not affected.
Voter turnout till 9 am:
Lohardaga: 11.68%
Daltonganj: 10.07%
Panki: 9.02%
Bishrampur: 9.5%
Chhatarpur (SC): 10.08%
Hussainabad: 09.07%
Garhwa: 11%
Bhawanathpur: 10%
Chatra (SC): 12.26%
Latehar (SC): 13.25 %
11.02 percent voter turnout recorded in Jharkhand till 9 am.
Jharkhand: Voting continues at a polling booth in a Govt school in Lohardaga. Voting on 13 constituencies in the state for the first phase of elections is underway. #JharkhandAssemblyPolls.
Bharatiya Janata Party president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah urges people of Jharkhand to exercise their right to vote for the assembly election and choose a full majority government in the state.
Visuals: Voting underway in Chatra constituency in Jharkhand
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das appeals people to come out and vote in large numbers. “I appeal to all to vote in large numbers. Your one vote is important for the development of the state,” he said.
Visual: First phase of polling for 13 seats begins in Jharkhand.
Polling began at 7 am and will conclude at 3 pm today.
Prominent candidates in the fray are BJP nominee and Jharkhand Health Minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi and Jharkhand PCC president and ex-IPS officer Rameshwar Oraon. Former BJP chief whip Radhakrishna Kishore, who was denied ticket from Chhatarpur, is contesting on AJSU party ticket from the same seat.
The opposition alliance of the JMM, Congress and RJD is contesting in four, six and three constituencies, respectively.
The BJP is contesting in 12 seats in the first phase, while it is supporting Independent Vinod Singh from Hussainabad.
By dialling 1950, voters will be able to register complaints on poll-related issues, EC officials said.
Voting will take place across 3,906 polling stations, out of which 989 will have webcasting facilities, an Election Commission release said.
Seats for which polling will take place are Chatra, Gumla, Bishunpur, Lohardaga, Manika, Latehar, Panki, Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Chhatarpur, Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur.