ASSEMBLY POLLS

Jharkhand Assembly polls phase 2: 68% turnout recorded in 38 seats

Ranchi: Jharkhand witnessed peaceful polling in 38 seats in the second and final phase of assembly elections on Wednesday, with 68 per cent of 1.23 crore voters exercising their franchise amid tight security, officials said. The turnout surpassed the 67.04 per cent voting in 2019, officials said.

With this, elections have concluded for the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. Polling in the first phase of elections to 43 seats on November 13 had seen over 66 per cent of 1.37 crore voters exercising their franchise.

"Approximately 67.71 per cent voter turnout was recorded per data calculated till 8 pm. Jamtara district topped the chart with 76.16 per cent polling while Bokaro district recorded the lowest at 60.97 per cent," a poll official said.

According to the Election Commission, the state's overall polling percentage surpassed the 63.9 per cent recorded in the 2019 assembly polls, PTI reported.

The ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc seeks to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, while the BJP-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to wrest it.

With this, the fate of 528 candidates, including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren (both JMM) and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri (BJP) has been sealed.

Besides, prominent among the candidates in this round include state BJP president and ex-CM Babulal Marandi, Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto (JMM) and BJP ally AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto.

The highest turnout of 76.16 per cent was reported from Jamtara district, followed by 75.88 per cent from Pakur, 72.46 per cent from Deoghar and 72.04 per cent from Ranchi. The lowest turnout was recorded in Bokaro district at 60.97 per cent.

In assembly constituencies, Maheshpur registered the highest voter turnout at 79.4 per cent, followed by the Nala segment at 78.75 per cent and Sarath in Deoghar at 77.94 per cent.

The Barhait seat where the CM is contesting reported a 66.13 per cent voter turnout. The Gandey constituency, where his wife Kalpana Soren is seeking re-election, registered 72.83 per cent polling.

The Bokaro assembly seat recorded the lowest voter turnout at 50.52 per cent. No violence was reported, barring Maoists torching five trucks in Latehar district hours before the commencement of polls.