Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 13 : BJP's Ranchi candidate CP Singh cast his vote on Wednesday, as polling began for the first phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections. Voters cast their ballots in 43 constituencies across 15 districts.
Encouraging the eligible voters in Jharkhand, Singh said, "I have exercised my right. This is a right as well as a duty. Every person should exercise his right to vote."
Union Minister Annapurna Devi said, "Today is the great festival of democracy. Voting is being held for 43 seats in Jharkhand. We will request and appeal to everyone to participate enthusiastically in this great festival of democracy and cast their vote..."
Key leaders from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led coalition are vying for the chance to lead the state.
Earlier, NDA candidate and Janata Dal (United) leader Saryu Rai, contesting from Jamshedpur West, expressed confidence in the NDA's victory while criticizing his opponent, Jharkhand's Health Minister Banna Gupta of Congress. "He is not a challenge for me; any other candidate from Congress could have challenged me better," Rai remarked. He added, "Results on November 23 will tell what will happen. We hope there will be a change, and an NDA government will be formed in the state. Banna Gupta is not a challenge. As Health Minister, he has made the state and the government 'ill'. It would be more challenging if there was another candidate from Congress."
Supporting democratic participation, Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar cast his vote and encouraged residents to vote in large numbers, urging them to make informed choices by saying, "Use your vote wisely."
The state has implemented extensive security measures, deploying over 200 companies of security forces at key locations. Voting will continue until 5 pm, though polling at 950 sensitive booths across 31 constituencies will end an hour earlier at 4 pm.
High-profile candidates in this phase include former Chief Minister Champai Soren of BJP contesting in Seraikela, and Congress leader Ajoy Kumar running from Jamshedpur East. Other significant candidates include BJP's Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, who is up against Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku in Jagannathpur. JMM's Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji is contesting in Ranchi.
In parallel with Jharkhand's elections, bye-elections for 31 assembly seats across 10 states, including the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, are underway. Election results in Jharkhand and other states will be announced on November 23.