Jharkhand Assembly elections Phase 1 highlights: 65% voter turnout in 43 seats till 5 pm

Jharkhand Assembly elections LIVE: Voters to decide if JMM stays in power or BJP-led NDA stages a comeback, catch all the LIVE updates here

8:53 PM

EC says voting turnout impressive despite boycott calls

Unfazed by threats and boycott calls from Maoists, people in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas in Jharkhand turned out in impressive numbers to vote on Wednesday even as the overall polling percentage in the state surpassed the 63.9 per cent recorded in the 2019 assembly elections, according to the Election Commission. Voting was held in 43 assembly seats out of 81 in the first phase and the rest of the seats will go to polls on November 20.
 

"Polling was marked by a festive mood and enthusiastic participation across all districts, with large tribal population, including areas affected by Left Wing Extremism," the poll authority said on Wednesday evening.

 

As per updates till 5 PM, a voter turnout of 64.86 per cent was recorded in Jharkhand which already surpassed the 63.9 per cent voting in these 43 assembly seats in the 2019 assembly elections.

 

The EC said voters remained undeterred by threats and boycott calls.

6:40 PM

65% voter turnout registered in 43 Assembly seats till 5 pm

A voter turnout of 64.86 per cent was recorded in the 43 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where polling was held in the first phase on Wednesday, officials said. Lohardaga district topped the list with 73.21 per cent polling while Hazaribag district recorded the lowest at 59.13, officials said and added that polling continued till 5 pm.

6:20 PM

Beneficiaries 'receive' JMM govt scheme funds night before voting, BJP lodges complaint with EC

Jharkhand BJP on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the Hemant Soren-led government for allegedly transferring money into the accounts of women beneficiaries under Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana (JMMSY) a night before polling.

5:50 PM

Infiltration assuming alarming proportion in Jharkhand, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that infiltration has assumed an alarming proportion in Jharkhand and hit out at the ruling JMM-led coalition for "patronising" infiltrators.

5:20 PM

Jharkhand's only third gender candidate in first phase to work for creating local jobs if wins

The only transgender candidate in the first phase of Jharkhand polls, Nagma Rani, exercised her franchise on Wednesday. Rani said, "If I win, I will work for the all-round development of the constituency. I will also make efforts to ensure that deserving students from Jharkhand do not have to leave the state for higher education, and I will work to increase employment opportunities."

4:49 PM

5 cases of MCC violation filed in Bhawnathpur, Jamshedpur

A total of 5 cases of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violations were registered in Bhawnathpur and Jamshedpur, Additional chief electoral officer Neha Arora said.

4:39 PM

Jharkhand elections LIVE update: Voter turnout of 59.28% recorded in 43 seats till 3pm

Serailkela-Kharsawan district registered the highest voter turnout at 66.38 per cent, followed by Lohardaga (65.99 per cent), Gumla (64.59 per cent) and Simdega (64.31 per cent).

3:51 PM

Jharkhand Assembly polls 2024: Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni exercises franchise

Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, along with his wife Sakshi, arrives to cast his vote at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir in Ranchi.

 

3:16 PM

Cong 'shehzada' wants to remove reservations for SCs, STs, OBCs, alleges PM Modi

JMM-led coalition govt in Jharkhand allowed infiltrators to become permanent citizens, alleges PM Modi in Deoghar.

3:11 PM

JMM-led govt playing with security of Jharkhand's 'beti, maati, roti'; BJP won't allow infiltration: PM Modi

PM Modi stated during his rally in Deoghar, "JMM-led govt playing with security of Jharkhand’s ‘beti, maati, roti’; BJP won’t allow infiltration.”

3:01 PM

BJP will get two-thirds majority in Jharkhand, says Chouhan

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday expressed confidence that the BJP will get two-thirds majority in Jharkhand, where the first phase of polling is underway. He also said that people will vote for his party in order to end the "corrupt" rule of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) alliance. Chouhan is Bharatiya Janata Party's assembly election in-charge in Jharkhand.

2:38 PM

NDA will form the government in Jharkhand, says Minister Shravan Kumar

“As per my information, the NDA is moving forward strongly. Our two JD(U) candidates are there in Tamar, and Jamshedpur West, Saryu Roy and Raja Peter are contesting. People are voting for JD(U), it looks we will be winning from both the seats, and NDA will form the government,” says Bihar minister Shravan Kumar.

2:13 PM

Jharkhand Assembly polls: Voter turnout of 46.25% recorded till 1 pm

The state registered a voter turnout of 46.25 % across 43 constituencies till 1 pm, according to Election Commission of India.

1:37 PM

INDIA bloc heads for huge victory, says Cong leader Manickam Tagore

Congress leader Manickam Tagore asserted that the 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,” Tagore stated today.

1:04 PM

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren urges voters to exercise franchise

After casting his ballot today, JMM's Hemant Soren appealed to the voters to state "to participate in the festival of democracy to strengthen it."

12:37 PM

Jharkhand Assembly elections LIVE: BJP and allies will bag 14 seats in Kolhan, says Champai Soren

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren on Wednesday asserted that the BJP and allies will win all 14 seats in the Kolhan region. "There is no ifs and buts about it,” Soren said.

12:11 PM

Jharkhand Assembly polls update: Voter turnout of 29% recorded in 43 seats till 11 am

11:34 AM

Illegal infiltration: ED arrests 2 Bangladeshi nationals, 1 Indian

Three people, including two Bangladeshi nationals, have been arrested by the ED during searches connected to a money laundering case related to illegal Bangladeshi infiltration into Jharkhand, official sources said on Wednesday. Rony Mondal and Sameer Chowdhary are nationals of the neighbouring country while Pintu Haldar is an Indian. The three, suspected to be touts, were arrested on Tuesday night from West Bengal in the Bangladeshi Infiltration case for facilitating illegal human trafficking in India, the sources said.

11:00 AM

Simdega registers highest voter turnout at 9 am

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

10:51 AM

MP bypolls: Vijaypur records 17.86% turnout, Budhni 16.9% till 9 am

A voter turnout of 17.86 per cent was recorded in Vijaypur and 16.90 per cent in Budhni till 9 am as polling was underway on Wednesday for byelections to the two assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, a poll official said. The bypoll to Vijaypur in Sheopur district was necessitated after sitting Congress MLA Ramniwas Rawat joined the BJP. He is currently a minister in the Mohan Yadav cabinet.

10:25 AM

Priyanka will be your sister, your daughter, and your advocate: Rahul to Wayanad voters

"I'm reaching out to my family in Wayanad this election, my sister Priyanka Gandhi is ready to be your voice in Parliament," Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X. "She will be more than just a representative: she will be your sister, your daughter, and your advocate. I am confident she will help unlock Wayanad's full potential," Rahul Gandhi said.

10:06 AM

Jharkhand Assembly elections 2024: Over 13% voter turnout registered in 43 assembly seats till 9 am

Nearly 13.04 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 9 AM on Wednesday in 43 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where voting is underway in the first phase, officials said.

9:52 AM

Think of forming inclusive govt not one that divides: Kharge to voters

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday urged people to vote to strengthen democracy and said they must think about forming a government that ensures the participation of all and not one that "divides, misleads and polarises". His remarks came as polling began for 43 Assembly seats in Jharkhand, Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election and bypolls in 31 Assembly constituencies in 10 states. In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said all voters are requested to cast their valuable votes to strengthen democracy and the Constitution.

9:40 AM

Jharkhand Assembly elections 2024 LIVE: Priyanka Gandhi appeals people to vote in large numbers

“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,” Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi wrote on X.

9:25 AM

Rajya Sabha Dy Chairman Harivansh casts vote in Ranchi

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh exercised at a polling station in Ranchi,  news agency ANI reported.

9:11 AM

Assam bypolls 2024: Voting starts in five assembly seats

Voting for by-elections to five assembly constituencies in Assam began on Wednesday to decide the fate of 34 candidates, an official said. By-elections are being held in Dholai (SC), Sidli (ST), Bongaigaon, Behali and Samaguri assembly constituencies as these seats fell vacant with the representatives of them winning the recent Lok Sabha elections. Voting began at 7 AM and is scheduled to conclude at 5 PM.

9:03 AM

Home Minister Amit Shah urges people of Jharkhand to cast votes in record numbers

Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to those voting in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly polls on Wednesday to exercise their franchise in record numbers to end corruption, infiltration and appeasement in the state. Voting for 43 Assembly seats in Jharkhand began this morning, with 683 candidates, including former chief minister Champai Soren and ex-MP Geeta Kora, trying their luck.

8:26 AM

Jharkhand elections 2024: Vote with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged voters to exercise their franchise with "full enthusiasm" in the first round of voting in the Jharkhand assembly elections. Voting for 43 assembly seats in Jharkhand began this morning with a total of 683 candidates trying their luck, including former chief minister Champai Soren and ex-MP Geeta Kora.

7:59 AM

Jharkhand election 2024: Governor of Jharkhand appeal to people to exercise their franchise

7:48 AM

Jharkhand elections 2024: Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Governor of Jharkhand casts his vote

Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Governor of Jharkhand casts his vote during the first phase of Assembly election.