Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: 67.59% Turnout Recorded in Jharkhand’s Final Phase of Voting Across 38 Constituencies

Ranchi, November 20, 2024: The Jharkhand Assembly elections concluded successfully, with the second and final phase of voting recording a turnout of 67.59% across 38 constituencies. This marks a historic moment for the state as it witnessed a completely violence-free election for the first time since its formation.

Final Phase Turnout and Key Highlights

The second phase, held on Wednesday, saw enthusiastic participation from voters. Preliminary figures indicate a 67.59% turnout by 5 PM, with final numbers expected to show a slight increase. The first phase, held earlier on November 13, registered a 66.65% turnout across 43 constituencies.

Among the constituencies in the second phase, the Maheshpur seat in Santhal Pargana recorded the highest turnout at 79.40%. Other high-turnout seats included Nala (78.75%) in Jamtara, Sarath (77.94%) in Deoghar, Silli (76.70%) in Ranchi and Shikaripara (74.31%) in Dumka. Conversely, the urban seats of Bokaro (50.52%) and Dhanbad (52.31%) recorded the lowest turnouts.

Historic Milestone: Violence-Free Elections

This election is notable for being the first completely violence-free Assembly election in Jharkhand’s history. The state, long known for its vulnerability to Naxal activities, saw a peaceful polling process even in traditionally sensitive regions. High voter participation in these areas underscores the public’s growing confidence in democratic processes.

Women voters played a significant role in this election, with higher turnout rates compared to men in 37 of the 43 constituencies during the first phase. This trend continued into the second phase, further highlighting the growing political engagement of women in Jharkhand.

Reserved Constituencies Lead in Turnout

Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved seats recorded higher voter turnouts than general constituencies. This reflects the electorate’s active role in shaping the state’s political future, particularly among marginalized communities.

With over 2.26 crore registered voters across the state, the participation levels reflect a robust democratic exercise.

Key Candidates and High-Stakes Battles

The fate of 1,211 candidates has been sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Prominent figures in the fray include Chief Minister Hemant Soren from Barhait, former Chief Minister Champai Soren from Saraikela and BJP state president Babulal Marandi from Rajdhanwar.

Other notable candidates include Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato (Nala), AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto (Silli) and several ministers from the Hemant Soren government. The election also saw participation from family members of former Chief Ministers, including Meera Munda and Geeta Koda, adding to the high-stakes political drama.

Unique Voter Engagement at Jamtara Polling Booth

In an inspiring display of voter participation, all 57 registered voters at a polling booth in Hansipahadi, under the Nala constituency in Jamtara, cast their votes. This polling center, designated for leprosy patients, witnessed 100% turnout, showcasing the inclusive nature of the election process.

Polling Irregularities Addressed Swiftly

The Election Commission reported two incidents of polling misconduct during the second phase. In Deoghar, a presiding officer was removed from duty for being found near the voting compartment, while another presiding officer in Madhupur faced FIRs for allegedly influencing votes in favor of a specific party.

Such swift actions by the authorities reaffirm their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections across the state.