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Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Wednesday cast his vote in the first phase of State Assembly polls that began for 43 out of a total of 81 seats.
Governor Gangwar also appealed to the people of the state to use their vote "wisely" and come out in large numbers. He said, "I appeal to the people to exercise their franchise and vote in large numbers. The way voting took place in Jammu and Kashmir, people voted in large numbers. It should be celebrated like a festival. The way democracy has been running in our country since independence is an example for the whole world. Use your vote wisely." Voting also began this morning in the by-elections for 31 assembly seats across 10 states including the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala. 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. 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. Counting of votes is scheduled for November 23. (ANI)
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