Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 13 : Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo on Wednesday appealed to the people to come out and vote in large numbers in the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections that are underway on 43 out of a total of 81 seats.
Speaking to ANI, Pratul Shah Deo said that today is the "Mahaparv" of the democratic system in Jharkhand.
"This occasion comes only once in five years. I request and urge all the citizens and all the voters of Jharkhand to go out of their houses and vote. Please vote in keeping in mind that you are voting for a stable government, a government that will provide corruption-free governance," he said.
The polling for Jharkhand's first phase began at around 7:00 am, with voters across 43 constituencies in 15 districts casting their ballots. The results will determine the fate of 683 candidates, including 73 women.
Voting also began this morning in the by-elections for 31 assembly seats across 10 states including the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for polling, which will continue until 5.00 pm. It will end at 4.00 pm at 950 sensitive booths spread across 31 constituencies. Over 200 companies of security forces have been deployed at strategic locations to maintain order and safeguard the electoral process.
The BJP-led NDA is aiming to unseat the JMM-led coalition, with key candidates such as former Chief Minister Champai Soren and Congress leader Ajoy Kumar in the fray.
Key candidates in the first phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections include former Chief Minister Champai Soren (BJP) in Seraikela, and Ajoy Kumar (Congress) in Jamshedpur East, where he is facing Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das. In Jaganathpur, BJP's Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, is contesting against Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has nominated sitting Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji from Ranchi.
Assembly seats where bypolls are being held on Wednesday include seven in Rajasthan, six in West Bengal, and five in Assam among others. Bypolls will be held for West Bengal's six assembly seats: Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, Taldangra, Sitai, and Madarihat. In Assam, polling will be held for the Samaguri, Behali, Bongaigaon, Sidli, and Dholai seats.
The counting of votes is scheduled for November 23.