Jharkhand Election 2024 Phase 1 Live updates: The first phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections is taking place today, November 13, with voting taking place in 43 seats. The 43 assembly constituencies are spread across 15 districts of the state. The second phase of the 38-seat election will be held on November 20. The results will be announced on November 23.

The Election Commission of India said 43 seats in Jharkhand recorded 46.25 per cent voter turnout till 1 pm. Wayanad Lok Sabha and Chelakkara assembly constituencies in Kerala, on the other hand, witnessed a turnout of 34.38 per cent and 36.08 per cent respectively after the first five hours of voting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to voters to vote in large numbers and exercise their right to vote. “Today is the first round of voting in the Jharkhand assembly elections. I appeal to all voters to vote with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy,” Modi said in a post on X channel.

Today’s vote will determine the fate of 683 candidates. Among the prominent candidates in the first phase is former Chief Minister Champai Soren, who is contesting as a BJP candidate (Saraikela) for the first time. Odisha governor and former CM Raghubar Das’s daughter-in-law Purnima Das Sahu (Jamshedpur East) and Saryu Roy are contesting for Janata Dal (United) candidate (Jamshedpur West) seat in today’s polls.

The seats voted on today include 17 at-large seats; 20 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and six are reserved for Scheduled Castes.

Voting started at 07:00 in the morning in 15,344 ballot boxes. It will continue until 17.00.

The contest in Jharkhand is being fought between the INDIA bloc led by the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In the 2019 Assembly Elections, JMM emerged as the largest party with 30 seats, while BJP secured 25 seats. Congress won 16 seats, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) won three seats, while All Jharkhand Students Union won 2 seats.

JMM formed a government with the support of Congress and RJD. The alliance, which is part of the INDIA bloc, is re-contesting in the 2024 assembly elections with Hemant Soren-led JMM contesting 43 of the 81 seats in the assembly. Congress nominated candidates for 30 seats. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is contesting on six seats, while Left parties are contesting on three seats.

In the NDA block, the Bharatiya Janata Party is contesting on 68 seats, while its alliance partner All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) has fielded candidates on 10 seats. In Jharkhand polls, Janata Dal (United) is contesting on 2 seats and Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is contesting on 1 seat.

Wayanad Bypoll

Voting is also on for the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-poll, in which Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will make her debut. Vadra is trying to defend the party’s stronghold, which his brother Rahul Gandhi won in the last two Lok Sabha elections. Rahul left Wayanad and retained Raebareli after winning both the seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Wayanad recorded 27 per cent voter turnout till 11 am.

Priyanka Gandhi urged people to vote. “My dear sisters and brothers. Please vote today, this is your day, a day to make your choice and use the greatest power our constitution gives you. Let’s build a better future together!” he said. .

General polls are also being held today in 33 assembly seats in 11 states. Besides the 33 seats, there are seven seats in Rajasthan, six in West Bengal and five in Assam. The six assembly seats in West Bengal are Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, Taldangra, Sitai and Madarihat. In Assam, voting will be held in Samaguri, Behali, Bongaigaon, Sidli and Dholai seats.