The filing of nomination papers for the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections began on Friday for 43 constituencies scheduled to go to polls on November 13. Election officials announced that candidates can submit their papers through October 25, with entries accepted between 11 am and 3 pm daily.
Election timelines and voting information
The Jharkhand Assembly elections will be held in two phases, the second phase is scheduled for November 20. The counting of votes is scheduled for November 23. Officials confirmed that only five candidates including candidates who were elected would be allowed in the Returning Officer's chamber for the nomination process.
Financial and candidate requirements
While general candidates are required to pay a security deposit of Rs 10,000, SC/ST candidates have to deposit Rs 5,000. Besides, any candidate is allowed to spend up to Rs 40 crore while campaigning.
Election information
An estimated 2.60 crore voters will participate in the elections, including 11.84 million first-time voters, 1.13 million people with disabilities, the elderly over 85 and the third gender, more than the 2.23 million voters in the 2019 Assembly elections.
Key dates and constituencies
The nominations will be scrutinised on October 28. The deadline for clearance of nominations is fixed for October 30. The constituencies participating in the first phase are:
- General Category: Kodarma, Barkatha, Barhi, Barkagaon, Hazaribagh, Baharagora, Jamshedpur East, Jamshedpur West, Ichagarh, Ranchi, Hatia, Panki, Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Hussainabad, Garhwa, and Bhawanathpur.
- Scheduled Tribe Seats: Ghatsila, Potka, Seraikella, Chaibasa, Majhgaon, Jaganathpur, Manoharpur, Chakradharpur, Kharsawan, Tamar, Torpa, Khunti, Mandar, Sisai, Gumla, Bishunpur, Simdega, Kolebira, Lohardaga, and Manika.
- Scheduled Caste Constituencies: Simaria, Chatra, Jugsalai, Kanke, Latehar, and Chhatarpur.
Transparency measures for candidates
Candidates with criminal records are required to disclose this information publicly three times during their campaign, in newspapers and on television. Political parties should also ensure that the crimes of their nominees are made known to the public.
