November 13, 2024: Voting for the first phase of the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections began today, with polling across 43 constituencies. This marks the beginning of the two-phase election process, with the second phase scheduled for November 20. The 43 constituencies up for grabs today include 17 general seats, 20 reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and six reserved for Scheduled Castes.

A total of 638 candidates, including 73 women, are contesting in this phase. Polling stations opened at 7 AM and will continue until 5 PM, with voting concluding an hour earlier at "sensitive" polling booths. These 950 booths, identified as high-risk areas, are spread across 31 constituencies and will see additional security measures in place.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made elaborate preparations for a smooth voting process. Strict security arrangements have been deployed across polling stations, including the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Returning Officer for Ranchi, Utkarsh Kumar, assured that all necessary facilities—drinking water, toilets, and live web-casting—are available at each station to ensure voter comfort and transparency.

The state election is witnessing a keen contest, with major political parties presenting their manifestos to woo voters. The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which heads a coalition government in the state, has promised 33% reservation for women in government jobs, along with significant emphasis on tribal rights, education, and agriculture.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA, on the other hand, has made bold promises, including the controversial vow to "drive out infiltrators" from Bangladesh and implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). They also pledged to protect the identities of tribal communities.

Meanwhile, the Congress, part of the ruling INDIA bloc alongside JMM and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has promised 250 units of free electricity, a caste-based census, and the filling of vacant government posts within a year.

In the 2019 elections, JMM secured 30 seats, while the BJP won 25 and Congress claimed 16. The ruling coalition, consisting of JMM, Congress, and RJD, formed the government after the last elections with Hemant Soren continuing as the Chief Minister.