Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024 Live Updates: Phase 1 Voting Underway with 13% Turnout, Key Contests Highlighted

The first phase of voting in the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly election began with a turnout of 13.04% recorded by 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Voters are casting ballots across 43 constituencies, mainly in the South Chotanagpur, northern Palamu, and Kolhan regions, which are heavily tribal areas. Among these seats, 20 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and six for Scheduled Castes (SC), with Chatra and Simaria—both in the state’s economically backward Chatra district—participating as well. In addition, bypolls are being held in states including Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal, with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi contesting in Wayanad, Kerala.

Party Strategies and Promises

The BJP’s election manifesto includes 25 pledges, while the INDIA bloc alliance has introduced seven key “guarantees” addressing areas like education, domicile policies, social justice, food security, the Maiyya Samman Yojna, employment, and farmer welfare, mirroring strategies used in Karnataka and Telangana. In Kolhan, a stronghold of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the BJP has proposed a policy exempting tribals from the Uniform Civil Code as a key appeal. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc has promised to reserve 28% of jobs for tribals, 12% for Dalits, and 27% for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), along with protecting minority rights in Jharkhand.

Key Contests

In Seraikela, a significant contest is set between former Chief Minister and BJP candidate Champai Soren and JMM’s Ganesh Mahali. Meanwhile, Champai Soren’s son, Babulal Soren, is running in Ghatsila against JMM candidate and state Cabinet minister Ram Das Soren. Former Congress Chief Minister Madhu Koda’s wife, ex-MP Geeta Koda, is contesting on a BJP ticket in Jagannathpur, facing current Congress MLA Sona Ram Sinku. In Potka, Meera Munda, the wife of former BJP CM and ex-Union minister Arjun Munda, is up against incumbent MLA Sanjib Sardar.

Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: 

Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: PM Modi Accuses Congress of Targeting ST, SC, and OBC Communities

"Congress aims to erase the identity of the ST, SC, and OBC communities and sow division among them. If this happens, the collective strength of minority communities will be shattered, and Congress will eliminate reservation for SC, ST, and OBCs overnight," said Prime Minister Modi during a public address in Sarath.

Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: Voter Turnout Reaches 46.25% by 1 PM

 As of 1 PM, Jharkhand sees a voter turnout of 46.25% across 43 constituencies, according to the Election Commission of India. Stay updated with the latest figures.

Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: CM Hemant Soren Appeals to Citizens to Vote After Casting His Own

 Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, after casting his vote, urges every citizen to participate in the democratic process, calling it a festival of democracy to strengthen the state.

Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi Urges Voters to Protect Rights, Strengthen Constitution

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appeals to Jharkhand voters in the first phase of elections, urging them to vote to protect their rights, strengthen democracy, and support INDIA bloc’s seven guarantees.

Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: Champai Soren Votes, Confident of BJP's Victory in Kolhan

Former CM and BJP leader Champai Soren casts his vote in the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections. Confident in victory, he asserts BJP and allies will secure all 14 Kolhan seats.

Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: 29.31% Voter Turnout Recorded by 11 AM

Jharkhand has seen a voter turnout of 29.31% across 43 constituencies, according to the Election Commission of India.

Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: BJP and Allies to Win 14 Seats in Kolhan, Says Champai Soren

In the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, former Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren is facing off against JMM’s Ganesh Mahli. Soren expressed strong confidence in his party's victory, stating, “The BJP and its allies will secure all 14 seats in the Kolhan region, with no doubts about it.”

Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates:  Simdega reported the highest voter turnout in Jharkhand at 15.09%, with Lohardaga close behind at 14.97%. East Singhbhum saw the lowest turnout, recording 11.25%, according to the Election Commission of India.