Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 14 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday thanked voters for choosing BJP after the first phase of polling of the Jharkhand Assembly elections was conducted.
Speaking to the media, Thakur said "I want to thank all voters who voted for a change in Jharkhand yesterday. They voted to free themselves from misgovernance and bring in the BJP government. The work is done on November 13 and the rest of it will be completed on November 20. The lotus will bloom in Jharkhand, we built Jharkhand and we will develop Jharkhand.
In the first phase of polling which started at 7 a.m. yesterday, 64.86 per cent voter turnout was recorded at 5 pm across the 43 assembly constituencies, surpassing 63.9 per cent voting in the 2019 assembly elections, said the Election Commission of India (ECI).
No incidents of violence were recorded.
The Election Commission said that the polling for 43 ACs in phase I of the Jharkhand Assembly elections concluded peacefully today with an impressive turnout of voters.
Polling was marked by a festive mood and enthusiastic participation across all districts, with large tribal populations, including areas affected by Left Wing Extremism.
Voters from diverse groups including first-time voters, the elderly, women, PwD, and tribals among others were seen exercising their franchise at polling stations across the 15 districts that went to polls today, undeterred by threats and boycott calls.
In the Budha Pahad area in the Garhwa district, once considered a stronghold of extremists, long queues, and peaceful polling at the Hesatu Polling station signaled the deep penetration of democratic ethos.
The Election Commission said that Tribal voters participated enthusiastically and cast their votes at the polling stations.
The BJP-led NDA is aiming to unseat the JMM-led coalition, with key candidates such as CM Hemant Soren, former CM Champai Soren, JMM leader Mahua Maji and Congress leader Ajoy Kumar in the fray.
Elections on the remaining 38 seats will be conducted on November 20. The counting of the votes will take place on November 23.