64.86% voters exercise their franchise in first phase of assembly poll in Jharkhand

Ranchi: Polling for 43 ACs in phase-I of Jharkhand Assembly elections concluded peacefully today with an impressive turnout of voters. Polling was marked by a festive mood and enthusiastic participation across all districts, with large tribal population, including areas affected by Left Wing Extremism. Voters from diverse groups including first time voters, elderly, women, PwD and tribals among others were seen exercising their franchise at polling stations across the 15 districts that went to polls today, undeterred by threats and boycott calls.

Impressive voting in LWE affected areas in Jharkhand

In Budha Pahad area in Garhwa district, once considered a stronghold of extremists, long queues, and peaceful polling at Hesatu Polling station signalled the deep penetration of democratic ethos. For the first time, this polling station was set up in the Budha Pahad area for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, allowing residents to vote in their own village.

Voting which commenced at 7 AM today was held peacefully without any incidents of violence. As per updates till 5 PM, a voter turnout of 64.86% was recorded at the polling stations in Jharkhand which has already surpassed 63.9% voting in these 43 ACs in 2019 Assembly Elections. Polling is still going on in certain polling stations where voters were waiting in queue before the culmination of poll hours.
Simultaneously, bye-polls were also held today in 31 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) in 10 states and in Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala. 2 ACs in Sikkim were uncontested.

CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu constantly monitored the situation across over 15,000 polling stations. Meticulous planning and constant vigil by the Commission have ensured that the Jharkhand elections this time have been smooth and streamlined, with no repolls recorded so far. Webcasting was in place in 100% polling stations to ensure transparency of the voting process.

Jharkhand High Court judges exercise franchise

Jharkhand High Court judges also exercised their franchise. Justice S.N.Pathak exercised his franchise at  DAV Kapildeo Public School booth under Hatia assembly constituency from where former deputy mayor Ajay Nath Shahdeo and sitting MLA Navin Jaiswal were in fray as Congress and BJP candidate respectively. Like Pathak there is report of other judges exercising their franchise at their respective booths under Hatia and Ranchi assembly constituencies.

Voters defy boycott calls

In the Manoharpur and Jaganathpur Assembly constituency of West Singhbhum district, voters chose to cast their vote inspite of boycott posters and threat calls by extremists. At polling stations in Sonapi in Jaganathpur AC and Rabangada in Manoharpur AC, security forces thwarted attempts to prevent voters from voting through boycott posters and blockades on the way.

Tribal voters participated enthusiastically and cast their vote at the polling stations. For the first time, voters of Lakhaidih village in Potka AC (East Singhbhum district) having 100% tribal population voted at a polling station set up in their own village. Earlier, they had to travel to nearby village to cast their vote which is nearly 25 kms from the main road and 4 kms away through dense forest and hilly route. Ahead of the elections, 100% enrollment of the ~1.78 lakhs members from 8 PVTGs in the state was ensured in the electoral roll.

Polling Stations were adorned with local themes and elements reflecting the culture of Jharkhand and offered a welcoming atmosphere to the voters. Basic facilities including first aid, drinking water, toilets, shed, ramps, wheelchairs and volunteers were ensured at all polling stations.

Phase-1 polling in Jharkhand conclude peacefully

Vigilance and seizures have been fortified by the coordinated efforts of Enforcement agencies resulting in seizures worth over Rs. 183 crores in Jharkhand since announcement of elections including over Rs. 145 crores worth of freebies and Rs. 13 crores in drugs.

Polling officials were airlifted for 225 booths in five districts which were inaccessible due to dense forests, tough terrains and LWE.

The provisional voter turnout figures of 64.86% as of 5 PM will continue to be updated AC wise on the Voter Turnout App by the ROs, as and when the polling parties formally close the poll and return from the polling stations based on the geographical/logistical conditions and after scrutiny of statutory papers and consideration of repolls, if any. The Commission for convenience of stakeholders, will also issue another press note with provisional voter turnout figures at ~2345 hours tonight.

District-Wise Approximate Voter Turnout in Phase – 1 (5 PM)

1 Chatra 63.26
2 East Singhbhum 64.87
3 Garhwa 67.35
4 Gumla 69.01
5 Hazaribagh 59.13
6 Khunti 68.36
7 Koderma 62.0
8 Latehar 67.16
9 Lohardaga 73.21
10 Palamu 62.62
11 Ramgarh 66.32
12 Ranchi 60.49
13 Seraikela-Kharsawan 72.19
14 Simdega 68.66
15 West Singhbhum 66.87