Jharkhand Elections 2024 : CM Hemant Soren Casts Vote, Urges Participation

Ranchi- Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren cast his vote along with his wife and MLA Kalpana Soren at Saint Francis School in Harmu, Ranchi, on Wednesday morning. Exercising his democratic right, Soren urged all citizens to participate in the democratic process. "Today is the great festival of democracy. I urge every citizen to come forward and strengthen our democratic system by exercising their franchise,” he stated to the media.

However, when questioned about the BJP's allegations of Bangladeshi infiltration, Soren refrained from commenting, stating that the focus should remain on the democratic process. "I will answer this question later," he said.

Former Chief Minister and BJP candidate Champai Soren cast his vote at booth 220 in Jilingora, Gamarhia. He expressed confidence in the BJP-led NDA government securing a strong majority in the state. His son, Babulal Soren, also voted in Ghatsila.

Other prominent figures who cast their votes included Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Union Minister of State for Defence and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, former Assembly Speaker and BJP candidate C.P. Singh, and JMM’s Rajya Sabha MP Dr Mahua Maji.

According to the Election Commission, voter turnout reached 29.31 per cent by 11 A.M. The Khunti district Assembly seats recorded the highest voting percentage at 34.12 per cent, while the Ranchi Assembly seat saw the lowest at 17.85 per cent.

Phase one of the Jharkhand Assembly elections covers 43 seats with 15,344 polling stations. A total of 1.37 crore eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots, deciding the fate of 683 candidates. The second phase of voting is scheduled for November 20, with counting slated for November 23.