As per ECI data, Kharsawan constituency recorded the highest turnout at 79.11%.
NEW DELHI: The first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections concluded with a voter turnout of 66.18%, according to the Election Commission of India. A total of 683 candidates, including prominent figures such as former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, Surya Roy, Sona Ram Sinku, Meera Munda, and C.P. Singh, contested across 43 Assembly constituencies. The results of these elections will be announced on November 23, coinciding with the Maharashtra election results.
As per ECI data, Kharsawan constituency recorded the highest turnout at 79.11%, followed by Baharagora with 78. 20%, and Lohardaga with 73.21%. Ranchi, the capital city, saw the lowest voter turnout at 52.27%, while Jamshedpur West recorded 56.53%.
Former Chief Minister and BJP candidate Champai Soren is contesting from Seraikella, where a voter turnout of 72.35% was recorded. In Jamshedpur East, Congress candidate Ajoy Kumar, a former SP of Jamshedpur, is facing BJP’s Purnima Das Sahu, the daughter-in-law of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and current Odisha Governor Raghubar Das. Jamshedpur East saw a turnout of 56.99%.
After casting his vote, Chief Minister and JMM candidate from Barhait, Hemant Soren, urged the people of Jharkhand to participate actively in the election to strengthen democracy. Soren stated, “Today, we have cast our votes at our respective polling stations. I appeal to the people of Jharkhand to come out and cast their votes to strengthen the democracy of the country.”
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Madhu Koda expressed confidence in a BJP-NDA victory, asserting that the people are “completely rejecting” the JMM-Congress alliance. “As per the trends, people are turning away from the JMM Congress. We believe BJP-NDA candidates will gain a lead in the first phase of polling. The JMM-Congress government has failed to provide employment, farmers are struggling with low prices for their produce, and mines remain closed,” he said. Apart from it, BJP leader Jayant Sinha, after casting his vote, urged people to vote responsibly, stating, “I am a common citizen and a voter. I appeal to everyone to choose a candidate who serves the public and works to advance the region.”
The BJP-led NDA is aiming to unseat the JMM-led coalition, with prominent candidates in the race, including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, former Chief Minister Champai Soren, JMM leader Mahua Maji, and Congress leader Ajoy Kumar.
The first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections began on Wednesday morning, covering 43 out of the state’s 81 seats. The remaining 38 seats will go to polls on November 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.