Polling for the first phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections, the Wayanad parliamentary seat in Kerala, and bypolls in 33 assembly seats across 11 states is set to begin on Wednesday morning. In Jharkhand, the BJP-led NDA is looking to oust the JMM-led coalition, with key candidates like former Chief Minister Champai Soren and Congress leader Ajoy Kumar in the fray.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is making her electoral debut from Wayanad, a seat previously won by her brother Rahul Gandhi. After winning both seats in Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year, Rahul decided to retain the family stronghold of Raebareli. Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has also campaigned in Wayanad for his sister Priyanka.
Priyanka Gandhi is contesting against Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Satyan Mokeri and the BJP's Navya Haridas in the by-polls. The Chelakkara Assembly seat in Thrissur district will also go to the polls on Wednesday. Jharkhand will hold elections in two phases on November 13 and 20, with the first phase covering forty-three seats.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for polling, which will begin at 7 am and continue until 5 pm. Polling will end at 4 pm at 950 sensitive booths spread across 31 constituencies. Returning Officer for the Ranchi Assembly constituency, Utkarsh Kumar, said that the mock poll will begin at 5:30 am.
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"The mock poll will begin at 5.30 am and polling will start after this. All basic facilities including drinking water, toilets, and web-casting facilities are available at all polling stations. All preparations are in place for polling. Security and CAPF deployed at polling stations. All rules and regulations laid down by the Election Commission are being followed," he said.
Key candidates in the first phase include former Chief Minister and BJP candidate Champai Soren, who is contesting from Seraikella. In Jamshedpur East, Congress leader Ajoy Kumar is pitted against Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Odisha Governor Raghubar Das.In Jamshedpur West, Congress leader Banna Gupta is up against JD(U) leader Saryu Roy, who had defeated Raghubar Das in the previous election.
In Jaganathpur, BJP's Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, is contesting against Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has fielded sitting Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji from Ranchi. Polling in the remaining 38 constituencies of Jharkhand will be held on November 20, and votes will be counted on November 23. In the previous assembly elections, JMM won 30 seats, the BJP won 25, and Congress secured 16 seats.
Over 200 companies of security forces are deployed in strategic locations to maintain order and safeguard the electoral process. A total of 683 contenders, including 73 women, are competing for seats in the first phase.
The 33 bypolls seats include seven in Rajasthan, six in West Bengal, and five in Assam. The six assembly seats in West Bengal are Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, Taldangra, Sitai, and Madarihat. In Assam, polling will be held for the Samaguri, Behali, Bongaigaon, Sidli, and Dholai seats. Voting for assembly polls in Maharashtra will take place on November 20, along with the remaining bypoll seats.