Champai Soren, Hemant Soren, Babulal Marandi, Sita Soren (File photo)
NEW DELHI: The 2024 Jharkhand legislative assembly election was held in two phases, with the first phase on November 13 and the second phase on November 20, 2024. The results are scheduled to be declared on November 23, 2024.
The Election Commission announced that vote counting will begin on November 23, at 8.00 am.
Key alliances in the fray
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) – The ruling party, which is part of the INDIA alliance (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance). JMM, led by chief minister Hemant Soren, is seeking to retain control over the state.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) – Led by the BJP, this alliance includes the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United), and other allies. The NDA aims to oust the ruling JMM and the INDIA alliance in Jharkhand.
Exit poll results:
Following the conclusion of voting, exit poll results were released. A compilation by TOI and posts on X from official news media handles revealed varied predictions:
1. Four out of seven exit polls favored the NDA
2. One predicted a neck-and-neck contest.
3. Two polls gave the edge to the opposition INDIA bloc
The EC’s guidelines ensure that exit polls are published only after polling concludes to prevent any influence on voters.
Voter turnout
In the Jharkhand Assembly elections, voter turnout has been robust, with significant participation across both phases.
The first phase of voting on November 13, covering 43 constituencies, recorded a turnout of nearly 67%. The second phase, which concluded on November 20, witnessed a higher turnout with 68.45% of eligible voters casting their ballots across 38 constituencies.
A notable trend emerged during the second phase: Women’s voter turnout exceeded that of men in over 85% of the constituencies, reflecting a strong participation of female voters in the state’s democratic process.
With the final phase concluded, all eyes are now set on the vote counting scheduled for November 23 for the 81-member Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.
Contests in key constituencies
The results for the 81 assembly constituencies are highly anticipated, with several high-stakes battles expected in constituencies featuring prominent candidates. Observers are closely monitoring these contests as they could majorly impact the overall outcome.
Here’s a look at the key candidates who contested this high-decibel election:
First phase:
| Candidate Name | Constituency Name | Party Name |
| Champai Soren | Seraikella | BJP |
| Mahua Maji | Ranchi | JMM |
| Banna Gupta | Jamshedpur West | INC |
| Geeta Koda | Jaganathpur | BJP |
| Ajoy Kumar | Jamshedpur East | INC |
| Sukhram Oraon | Chakradharpur | JMM |
Second phase:
| Candidate Name | Constituency Name | Party Name |
| Hemant Soren | Barhait | JMM |
| Babulal Marandi | Dhanwar | BJP |
| Sita Soren | Jamtara | BJP |
| Kalpana Soren | Gandey | JMM |
| Rameshwar Oraon | Lohardaga | INC |
| Basant Soren | Dumka | JMM |
| Sunil Soren | Dumka | BJP |
| Dr. Irfan Ansari | Jamtara | INC |
Where to check results:
The Election Commission of India will release live counting updates on its official website https://results.eci.gov.in/ and through the Voter Helpline App, available for iOS and Android. Citizens can follow these platforms to track constituency-wise results.
Jharkhand’s electoral significance
Jharkhand holds significant weight in Indian politics with its unique blend of tribal and non-tribal dynamics and its pivotal role in eastern India. The stakes in these elections are high, with the outcome expected to shape the state’s political future. As vote counting begins, all attention is on Jharkhand to see which alliance will secure the mandate to govern.
