According to the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s latest data, Jharkhand experienced peaceful polling in 38 seats in the second and final phase of assembly elections on Wednesday. The state reported 68.45 per cent of 1.23 crore voters exercising their franchise amid tight security. The turnout surpassed the 67.04 per cent voting in 2019, officials said. With this, elections have concluded for the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. Polling in the first phase of elections to 43 seats on November 13 had seen over 66 per cent of 1.37 crore voters exercising their franchise.
"Approximately 67.71 per cent voter turnout was recorded as per data calculated till 8 pm. Jamtara district topped the chart with 76.16 per cent polling while Bokaro district recorded the lowest at 60.97 per cent," a poll official said.
The overall polling percentage in the state surpassed 63.9 per cent recorded in the 2019 assembly polls, according to the Election Commission.
Polling began at 7 AM in 14,218 booths across 12 districts and continued till 5 PM. However, polling in 31 booths ended at 4 PM.
JMM Vs INDIA bloc in Jharkhand
There was a direct fight between the ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc which was seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes and the BJP-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which attempted to oust the Soren government from power.
Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar said, "The election process was peaceful and remained free of incidents. Two FIRs were lodged for violating secrecy of voting against polling and presiding officers, including one in Gandey."
Seizures crossed Rs 200 crore in Jharkhand
IG (Operations) Amol V Homkar said polling was peaceful and the seizures crossed Rs 200 crore, including 163 crore by police. A total of 585 companies of para-military forces were deployed to conduct the elections, besides 60 companies of state armed forces and 26,000 Home Guard and police personnel with specialised forces like Cobra and Jaguar keeping a vigil.
"The borders with West Bengal and Bihar were sealed and 114 checkposts were erected besides 124 checkposts set up by neighbouring states," he said.
With this, the fate of 528 candidates, including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren (both JMM) and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri (BJP) has been sealed.
Top leaders contested in the second pahse
Besides, prominent among the candidates in this round include state BJP president and ex-CM Babulal Marandi, Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto (JMM) and BJP ally AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto.
Jamtara district reports highest turnout
The highest turnout of 76.16 per cent was reported from Jamtara district, followed by 75.88 per cent from Pakur, 72.46 per cent from Deoghar and 72.04 per cent from Ranchi.
Bokaro receives lowest voter turnout
The lowest turnout was recorded in Bokaro district at 60.97 per cent. In assembly constituencies, Maheshpur registered the highest voter turnout at 79.4 per cent, followed by the Nala segment at 78.75 per cent and Sarath in Deoghar at 77.94 per cent.
The Barhait seat where the CM is contesting reported a 66.13 per cent voter turnout. The Gandey constituency, where his wife Kalpana Soren is seeking re-election, registered 72.83 per cent polling.
The lowest voter turnout was recorded in the Bokaro assembly seat at 50.52 per cent. The BJP has fielded candidates in 68 seats while allies AJSU Party in 10, JD(U) in two and Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) in one.
In the INDIA bloc, JMM has fielded candidates in 43 seats, Congress 30, RJD 6 and CPI(ML) 4 with friendly fights in some seats. In the 2019 assembly elections, the contest was close, with the JMM winning 30 seats and the BJP securing 25, down from 37 in 2014.
The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance won a comfortable majority with 47 seats.
(With PTI inputs)
