The first of the five-phase polling began in 13 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand on Saturday. The voting commenced at 7 AM and will end at 3 PM.
Thirteen constituencies in six districts of Jharkhand will go to polls in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly election today, in which a state minister and state PCC president are key contestants. A total of 37,83,055 electorate, including 18,01,356 women and five third gender voters, who are eligible to exercise their franchise will decide the fate of 189 candidates in the first phase.
The BJP is contesting in 12 seats in the first phase. The opposition alliance of the JMM, Congress and RJD is contesting in four, six and three constituencies, respectively.
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04:50 | An estimated 62.87 per cent votes were cast when voting ended at 3 pm on Saturday in the first of the five-phase Jharkhand assembly elections in 13 constituencies, amid sporadic incidents of violence, officials said.
The percentage is likely to increase as voters who entered the polling stations by 3 pm will be allowed to exercise their franchise, they said.
A total of 37,83,055 electorate, including 18,01,356 women and five third-gender voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase of polling across six districts, which began at 7 am, Election Commission (EC) officials said.
Around 46.83 per cent votes were cast till 1 pm on Saturday in the first phase of Jharkhand assembly elections in 13 constituencies, amid sporadic incidents of violence in some districts.
Palamau Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer Shantanu Agrahari said a minor clash broke out between two groups near Kosiyara polling station in Daltonganj assembly constituency.
11:40 AM | Voter turn-out till 11 AM
27.4% voter turnout recorded till 11 AM in the first phase
09:55 AM | 11:40 AM | Voter turn-out till 11 AM
11% voter turnout recorded till 9 am in first phase
09:45 AM | Naxals blow up bridge in Gumla district, police says voting not affected
As polling in Jharkhand was underway, Naxals has blown up a bridge in Bishunpur in Gumla district. No injuries have been reported so far. Deputy Commissioner Shashi Ranjan says that the attack has not affected the voting process.
09:30 AM | Polling in first phase is underway
First phase of polling for 13 seats is underway in Jharkhand. The counting is scheduled for December 23.
