Jharkhand Assembly Polls: Nearly 13% Turnout Recorded Till 9 AM in Second Phase

GG News Bureau
Ranchi, 20th Nov. Polling is underway for the second and final phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand, with a voter turnout of 12.71% recorded till 9 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Election Commission (EC). Voting began at 7 a.m. across 14,218 booths in 12 districts and will continue until 5 p.m. However, polling in 31 booths will conclude at 4 p.m., with voters in the queue at the time allowed to cast their votes.

High-Stakes Battle:

The ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc, buoyed by its welfare schemes, is striving to retain power, while the BJP-headed NDA is looking to wrest control of the state. Among the 528 candidates contesting are key figures like Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and BJP Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri.

Voter Statistics:

A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, are eligible to vote. Of the polling stations, 239 are managed by women, while 22 are run by persons with disabilities (PwDs).

Leaders’ Appeals:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Hemant Soren urged voters to participate enthusiastically. Modi, in a message on X (formerly Twitter), called on people to set a record for voting, emphasizing the importance of first-time voters. Soren described the phase as critical for the creation of a “golden Jharkhand” and appealed for unity against forces he accused of conspiring against the state.

Regional Highlights:

• Santhal Pargana Region: 18 constituencies, covering districts like Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj, and Pakur.
• North Chotanagpur Division: 18 constituencies.
• South Chotanagpur Division: Two constituencies.

Election Details:

The first phase of polling took place on November 13, and the counting of votes for all constituencies will be held on November 23.

This second phase marks the conclusion of the electoral process, a decisive moment for the political future of Jharkhand.