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. 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.

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.

Hesatu Polling Station in Buda Pahad, Garwah

Polling Station in Sonapi, Jaganathpur AC

Polling Station in Rangbada, Manoharpur AC

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.