Jharkhand election 2024 highlights: Over 64% voter turnout in 43 seats till 5pm

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar tells reporters: "The first phase of polling across 43 assembly constituencies has concluded peacefully. All complaints were addressed in time... As of 5 pm, the voter turnout was 64.86%... Close of poll data is being collected across constituencies and will be released around midnight..."

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: A voter turnout of 64.86% has been recorded in Jharkhand till 5pm, the Election Commission of India data shows.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: At the end of the first phase of polling, EVMs are being sealed at polling booths in Jharkhand.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: A voter turnout of 59.28% has been recorded till 3pm in the first phase of the Jharkhand elections. The constituency of Seraikella-Kharsawan leads with a 66.38% turnout.

Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni casts his vote at a polling booth in Ranchi to cast his vote for the Jharkhand assembly elections. Watch here.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, along with his wife Sakshi, have arrived to cast his vote at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir in Ranchi. Watch video here.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: “The stature of women and daughters is very high in our culture. But here, Congress leaders abuse our sisters, they said so many objectional words against Sita Soren. From where do they get the courage to do this? They know nothing will happen to them as they have protection from the JMM govt. This is the reason Congress leaders insult tribal daughters. When the BJP decided to make a tribal daughter the President of India, Congress tried its best to defeat her. Even today they insult President Murmu,” PM Modi says, according to ANI.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: “Wherever I have travelled in Jharkhand, the biggest worry has been about infiltration....As per the data available, the tribal population in Santhal has reduced to half...We have to protect our tribal families and every Jharkhandi from this. There is a huge conspiracy being done to change the identity of Jharkhand,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi says.

"Under JMM-Congress, every wrong thing was done to make these infiltrators permanent residents in the state. These infiltrators snatched your jobs and 'roti'. JMM govt said in court that there has been infiltration in the state...The protection of Roti, Beti and Maati is the biggest issue in this election. I assure you that BJP will protect them," he adds.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing a poll rally in Deoghar's Sarath.

"I want to tell those who keep doing political calculations while sitting in AC rooms that the result of elections can be seen here..." the prime minister says, reports ANI.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Additional chief electoral officer Neha Arora tells ANI that two and three cases of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation have been registered in Bhawnathpur and Jamshedpur.

Model Code of Conduct is a set of norms for political parties and candidates, enforced by the Election Commission of India, to create a "level playing field".

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: BJP candidate Geeta Koda said her priority would be to open the mines to generate employment in the region.

BJP’s Geeta Koda, the wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, faces Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku in Jagannathpur constituency.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Odisha Governor and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and his family cast their votes at a polling station in Jamshedpur.

Das' daughter-in-law, Purnima Das Sahu, is the Jamshedpur East Assembly seat candidate. Jamshedpur East Assembly seat is a bastion for the BJP-led NDA, as Das was a four-time MLA from this seat. Purnima Das Sahu faces opposition from Congress' Ajoy Kumar on this seat. (ANI)

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: In the first phase of polling, Jamshedpur West has the highest number of candidates, with 28 nominees, while Jagannathpur has the lowest, with only eight candidates filing nominations.

The state has a total of 2.6 crore voters, comprising 1.31 crore men and 1.29 crore women. Voters aged between 20 and 29 number 66.84 lakh, with 11.84 lakh first-time voters aged 18 and 19.

Seraikella, Ranchi, Jamshedpur West, Jagannathpur, and Jamshedpur East are among the key constituencies to watch in the first phase. Read more

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren cast his vote and appealed to the people to vote in large numbers to “strengthen democracy” in the country.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: BJP candidate Champai Soren said the main issues in the election are “Bangladeshi infiltration, unemployment and irrigation”.

“We have to save the land of Sidho-Kanho and Santhal from Bangladeshi infiltrators...There is no doubt that BJP will form the government in Jharkhand,” Soren told news agency ANI.

Champai Soren has been representing the Seraikella constituency since 2005. A six-time MLA, Soren served twice in Bihar and four times in Jharkhand and is closely linked with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren for leading the Jharkhand movement.

Following Hemant Soren’s arrest in January 2024, Champai Soren took over as chief minister. Upon Hemant Soren's return, Champai Soren quit JMM and joined the BJP. He is contesting the election as a BJP candidate from the Seraikella constituency.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate from Ranchi Mahua Maji said ensuring the safety of women would be her priority. She also requested people to vote in large numbers.

“I have been the chairman of women's commission. During that time, I worked to install CCTVs. I had advised to conduct patrolling by two wheeler which was done. I have been working for the welfare of women and will keep doing so. I will also work for senior citizens and youth,” said Maji.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Congress leader Rajesh Thakur exuded confidence that the JMM-Congress alliance will win the elections based on its track record of performance over the past five years.

"We don't make illogical statements like '400 paar' and '65 paar'. We will get the results on the basis of the work we have done for the people and we will reach the two-thirds majority which we talk about," said the Congress leader.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Congress candidate from Jamshedpur East Ajoy Kumar said the party is receiving “good reports” from all parts of the state.

Kumar is facing BJP candidate Purnima Das Sahu, who is vying to carry forward the legacy of her father-in-law, former chief minister Raghubar Das.

“For 30 years, the empire of a family has been continuing here, against which we are fighting, and we will continue to fight that battle,” said former IPS officer-turned-politician.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Union Minister and BJP leader Sanjay Seth expressed confidence that his party will form the next government in Jharkhand with two-thirds majority.

“The people of Jharkhand are fed up with corruption in these 5 years. BJP will win here with a two-third majority. Is Jharkhand a Dharamshala, a refugee centre? Infiltrators are being called here from Bangladesh. BJP has taken a resolution that from November 24, Bangladeshi infiltrators will be thrown out of the border,” alleged Seth while speaking to ANI.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Nearly 13.04 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 9 am on Wednesday in 43 assembly constituencies in phase one of the Jharkhand assembly election, officials said.

The highest voter turnout was in the Simdega seat, at 15.09 per cent, followed by Ranchi, at 12.06 per cent, and Seraikela-Kharsawan, at 14.62 per cent.

Long queues of voters were seen outside several polling booths this morning.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh cast his vote in a polling station in Ranchi.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said, “Voting is the strength of a democracy. Through elections, we choose our representatives who later work for the welfare of society and the country...We should work to achieve the dreams for which Jharkhand was formed. We are far away from achieving that dream”.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged all voters in Jharkhand to cast their vote to “strengthen and empower” democracy and the Constitution.

“The people of Jharkhand have to vote for social justice for all, inclusive development and good governance and protection of water, forests, land and tribal civilization and keep divisive forces away from the state,” wrote Kharge in a post on X.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people of Jharkhand to vote with “full enthusiasm”.

“Today is the first round of voting in the Jharkhand assembly elections. I urge all voters to vote with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy. On this occasion, my heartiest congratulations to all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time! Remember - first vote, then refreshment!,” wrote PM Modi in a post on X.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Mahua Maji appealed to voters to vote in large numbers.

Speaking to ANI, Maji said, “I appeal to everyone to vote for me. I want there should be development. Ranchi does not look like a capital and I want to transform it into one...I have an experience in different sectors”.

Maji, a current Rajya Sabha MP, is set to challenge BJP's CP Singh in the polls. She made history as the first woman from Jharkhand to be elected to the Rajya Sabha. Mahua Maji holds a PhD in sociology and has actively participated in parliamentary debates, including discussing energy issues such as the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. She is also a member of the Parliamentarians’ Group for Clean Air.

Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren alleged that the BJP spent “crores of rupees” in a “shadow” advertisement campaign to tarnish his image and the state.

"In the last 30 days, advertisements and paid boosts worth ₹72 lakh have been done from various accounts like "Jharkhand Chaupal", "Ranchi Chaupal". If you see the content of these pages, you will understand that their sole purpose is to tarnish my and the state's image, spread religious frenzy and make people fight among themselves," alleged Soren in a post on X.

“Despite filing a complaint with the Election Commission, no action was taken. Also, the image of the state and its citizens is being continuously tarnished by creating more than 95,000 WhatsApp groups,” Soren added.