Jharkhand Assembly Elections Phase 2 Live: Voting Concludes; Exit Poll Gives Edge To NDA

As assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra concluded on Wednesday, Times Now JVC's Exit Poll for Jharkhand Assembly Elections predicts 40-44 seats for NDA, 30-40 for INDIA, and 1-1 for others.

The second phase of Jharkhand assembly election 2024 recorded a turnout of over 67 percent till 5 pm, the ECI said.

As per the ECI data, the second and last phase of the state polls recorded a turnout of 67.59 percent. The polling staff have sealed the EVMs as voting came to an end in the state.

The voting in the second and final phase of Jharkhand assembly elections 2024 concluded with the polling staff sealing the Electronic Voting Machines to transport them to the strong rooms.

Following Godda MP Nishikant Dubey's allegation of favouritism against the polling officer of the Madhupur assembly seat, Ramanand Paswan, the Presiding Officer has been taken into custody. The chief electoral officer has confirmed the development. Dubey had alleged that Paswan, posted in booth No. 111 of Madhupur constituency, was extending undue favours to the JMM, which the party refuted.

As voting in the second phase of Jharkhand assembly polls goes on, Kalpana Soren, wife of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and JMM candidate for Gandey assembly election said that the people had chosen the path of development.

" ...People have chosen the path of development and they are casting their votes...now only a few hours are left for voting to end...by 23rd (November) results will also be out...I am grateful especially towards the people of Gandey, wherever I go, I get their love..." Soren said.

Till 3 pm, nearly over 61 per cent of around 1.23 crore voters exercised their franchise on Wednesday in 38 assembly constituencies during the second and final phase of the Assembly Elections in Jharkhand. Polling began at 7 AM in 14,218 booths across 12 districts and will continue till 5 PM. However, polling in 31 booths ended at 4 PM though people standing in the queue at that time are able to exercise their franchise.

Jharkhand Minister and sitting MLA as well as the candidate from Jamtara, Irfan Ansari said that the party will sweep Santhal Pargana in the assembly elections.

"...I would like to urge everyone to step out and vote...We are going to win all seats of Santhal Pargana with a huge margin. BJP is going to be finished. You (BJP) brought the issue of infiltration, of Bangladesh. You have come from Gujarat, from Madhya Pradesh, from Assam but the people here speak Bengali. That doesn't mean we are Bangladeshis," Ansari said.

Jharkhand recorded a voter turnout of 47.92% in 38 assembly seats till 1 PM in the second and final phase of Jharkhand polls, an official said. The highest voting turnout of 53.83 per cent was reported from Pakur, followed by 52.21 per cent from Jamtara, 51.26 per cent from Ramgarh and 50.28 per cent from Dumka district. In the first six hours of polling, Godda recorded a turnout of 50.27 per cent, Deoghar 49.83 per cent, Hazaribag 48.62 per cent, Giridih 48.01 per cent, Sahebganj 47.51 per cent and Dhanbad 43.16 per cent. The lowest turnout was recorded in Bokaro at 42.52 per cent till 1 PM. A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, are eligible to exercise their franchise on Wednesday, another official said.

Jharkhand Leader of Opposition and BJP candidate from Chandankyari seat, Amar Kumar Bauri on Wednesday exuded confidence on his party's victory, saying it would form the government in the state. Bauri, who is seeking re-election from Chandankiyari, offered prayers at his residence as voting is in progress for Jharkhand election 2024. He said, "I do this every day. I begin my day by offering prayers. With the rising sun today, a new morning for Jharkhand has also begun. It has been 25 years since the formation of Jharkhand. Voters and people of Jharkhand are going to elect their Govt. The second phase of elections is underway. May God bless us in protecting the honour of the natives and tribals, and people vote for their future. With the blessings of the people, BJP is going to form the government."

On Jharkhand assembly elections, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said BJP will come to power in Jharkhand. He said, "The victory of NDA under the leadership of BJP is certain... In Jharkhand, people have expressed their trust in the leadership of PM Modi. NDA will also get a huge lead in Jharkhand. I appeal to the voters to make NDA candidates win for progress in both the states ..."

Amid the polling, a controversy arose in the Madhupur constituency of Deoghar district, where a polling officer at booth number 111 was removed on allegations of influencing voters to support a particular party. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey claimed that the officer was arrested for directing the electorate to vote in favour of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Polling is being conducted across 14,219 booths in 38 constituencies across 12 districts.Voting will end at 5 p.m., though 31 highly sensitive booths will close at 4 p.m. Read more...

Jharkhand recorded 30% voter turnout in 2nd phase of Assembly polls till 10 am on Wednesday. As per the ECI, Deoghar recorded a turnout of 14.24 per cent, Dhanbad 12.76 per cent, Dumka 14.48 per cent, Giridih 12.69 per cent, Hazaribagh 14.02 per cent, Jamtara 14.90 per cent, Ramgarh 15.87 per cent, Ranchi 16.00 per cent and Sahebganj 14.17 per cent.

Hours before the commencement of the second and final phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections on Wednesday, five trucks were torched allegedly by Maoists in Latehar district, police said. The incident occurred in Laat forest under the jurisdiction of Herhanj Police Station around 1.30 am, a senior officer said. The trucks were deployed in coal transportation at the Tubed Coal Project in Latehar. "The trucks were returning after dumping coal when they were set on fire by members of the banned Jharkhand Prastuti Committee (JPC), a splinter group of Maoists. An investigation has been initiated and raids are being conducted to arrest the perpetrators of the crime,” Latehar superintendent of police Kumar Gaurav said.

Union Minister and BJP's Jharkhand election-incharge, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that 'Roti, Beti, Maati' in Jharkhand are in trouble. He said, "The Jharkhand assembly polls have become the elections to save Jharkhand. 'Roti, Beti, Maati' in Jharkhand are in trouble. JMM-Congress Govt has cheated the youth in the name of jobs. The honour of women is not safe. Infiltrators are taking over resources. Law and order situation is bad. People are pained due to massive corruption. So, people are voting for BJP-NDA candidates. I urge everyone to vote for a prosperous, developed, safe and infiltrators-free Jharkhand...BJP-NDA govt will change the face of Jharkhand and fate of people...You can see the results now itself, BJP-NDA is forming the Govt. People are angry and that is why they are defeating the corrupt and anti-people Govt."

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's wife & JMM candidate for Gandey assembly by-election Kalpana Soren pinned hope on people's mandate for the ruling party. She said, "...I am going myself and would like to go and appeal that everyone, be it men, women, old or young, everyone should come out and exercise their right to vote. I am confident about my victory as I have worked very hard for the people of Gandey...In the next 5 years, I would like to continue the work...People in the state are going to vote for Hemant Soren and our mahagathbandhan..."

Jharkhand recorded 12.71% voter turnout in 2nd phase of Assembly polls till 9 am on Wednesday. A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, are voting. A total of 528 candidates, including Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and BJP’s Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, are contesting in the second phase of elections.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who exuded confidence that the BJP will win with a "two-third" majority in Jharkhand, said on Wednesday that their issues like infiltrations and unemployment have reached the public and the party is going to form a government in Jharkhand on its own for the first time. Dubey also cast his vote in the second phase of Jharkhand Assembly polls that are underway. He said, "We are going to form our government here with full majority. Our issues like infiltration, unemployment and corruption have reached the public...Adivasis have taken the resolve to change the government here. We are coming to power with a 2/3rd majority. BJP is going to form its government in Jharkhand on its own for the first time."

Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi, who cast his vote at a polling booth in Giridih for the ongoing Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024, highlighted infiltration and unemployment as major issues in the state and accused incumbent Chief Minister Hemant Soren of betraying the youth. Marandi encouraged everyone to participate in the elections. "Everyone should exercise their franchise. This is a festival of democracy, and we get this opportunity to vote for the development of the state once every five years. The main issues are infiltration and unemployment. CM Soren has betrayed the youth. We have appealed to the youth to support the NDA this time," he said.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday urged the voters of Maharashtra and Jharkhand to cast their votes in their respective state assembly elections. "Today is the second and final phase of voting in Jharkhand. I appeal to all the voters of this phase, especially the youth, to vote in maximum numbers to elect a new government with a massive majority that will bring peace and prosperity to the state. The future of Jharkhand depends on your one vote." he wrote in his post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters in Jharkhand to participate with full enthusiasm in the voting taking place on Wednesday. "Today is the second and last phase of the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand. I urge all voters to participate in it enthusiastically and create a new record of voting. On this occasion, I especially congratulate all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time. Your every vote is the strength of the state," PM Modi wrote on his post on X.

JMM MP Nalin Soren says, "I want to continue with my tradition of voting early...Whoever is elected as the MLA, I would like to tell them to carry on with the tradition...People would vote on the issue of development...My Government would remain in power..."

BJP candidate from Dhanbad Assembly, Raj Sinha says, "As per the current trend and seeing the huge number of voters, it is clear that BJP is going to form its government in this election. We raised the issue of Bangladesh (infiltrators) because it is the truth and the people need to know about it and its consequences..."

People queue up outside a polling booth in Dumka as they await their turn to cast vote for the second and final phase of the state assembly elections. Dumka has been one of the strongholds of the JMM. The constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and its voters are primarily from tribal communities, with a mix of backward classes, minorities, and upper castes.

Basant Soren, the sitting MLA from Dumka and son of JMM president Shibu Soren, is seeking re-election. Sunil Soren, a former BJP MP, has been fielded by the party to challenge the JMM in Dumka. Babu Ram Murmu is contesting from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Dumka has a total of 2,59,079 voters including 1,26,903 male voters and 1,32,175 female voters.

In the 2020 Assembly by-election, Basant Soren (JMM) won the seat with 80,559 votes, against Louis Marandi (BJP), who secured 73,717 votes. As many as 236 polling booths have been set here for the polls.

The second phase of voting will decide the electoral fate of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren (both JMM), and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri (BJP) besides more than 500 other candidates who are contesting in 38 of the total 81 assembly seats.

The Silli Assembly constituency is one of the 81 constituencies in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. It is constituency number 61 of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. The constituency is a general seat not reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto will be facing stiff competition from his long-time rival and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Amit Mahto.

BJP-Jharkhand president Babulal Marandi said that the mood of the people in Jharkhand is to change Hemant Soren led JMM govt as they have gone through pain in these five years. He said, "A few days back I-T department raided many locations related to the PA of the CM. It's not possible without black money, if someone is this much dipped in corruption what option does he have instead of making allegations against some of our leaders. BJP-NDA will get more than 51 seats, and we are going to form the govt."

In the second and final phase of voting for Jharkhand Assembly Election held today, as many as 38 constituencies across 12 districts are going to polls. BJP candidate from Giridih assembly constituency is Nirbhay Kumar Shahabadi while the AJSU has fielded Chandra Prakash Choudhary. In 2019, JMM candidate Sudivya Kumar won the Giridih seat by a margin of 15,884 votes.

As assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra concluded on Wednesday, Times Now JVC's Exit Poll for Jharkhand Assembly Elections predicts 40-44 seats for NDA, 30-40 for INDIA, and 1-1 for others.

The second phase of Jharkhand assembly election 2024 recorded a turnout of over 67 percent till 5 pm, the ECI said.

As per the ECI data, the second and last phase of the state polls recorded a turnout of 67.59 percent. The polling staff have sealed the EVMs as voting came to an end in the state.

The voting in the second and final phase of Jharkhand assembly elections 2024 concluded with the polling staff sealing the Electronic Voting Machines to transport them to the strong rooms.

Following Godda MP Nishikant Dubey's allegation of favouritism against the polling officer of the Madhupur assembly seat, Ramanand Paswan, the Presiding Officer has been taken into custody. The chief electoral officer has confirmed the development. Dubey had alleged that Paswan, posted in booth No. 111 of Madhupur constituency, was extending undue favours to the JMM, which the party refuted.

As voting in the second phase of Jharkhand assembly polls goes on, Kalpana Soren, wife of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and JMM candidate for Gandey assembly election said that the people had chosen the path of development.

" ...People have chosen the path of development and they are casting their votes...now only a few hours are left for voting to end...by 23rd (November) results will also be out...I am grateful especially towards the people of Gandey, wherever I go, I get their love..." Soren said.

Till 3 pm, nearly over 61 per cent of around 1.23 crore voters exercised their franchise on Wednesday in 38 assembly constituencies during the second and final phase of the Assembly Elections in Jharkhand. Polling began at 7 AM in 14,218 booths across 12 districts and will continue till 5 PM. However, polling in 31 booths ended at 4 PM though people standing in the queue at that time are able to exercise their franchise.

Jharkhand Minister and sitting MLA as well as the candidate from Jamtara, Irfan Ansari said that the party will sweep Santhal Pargana in the assembly elections.

"...I would like to urge everyone to step out and vote...We are going to win all seats of Santhal Pargana with a huge margin. BJP is going to be finished. You (BJP) brought the issue of infiltration, of Bangladesh. You have come from Gujarat, from Madhya Pradesh, from Assam but the people here speak Bengali. That doesn't mean we are Bangladeshis," Ansari said.

Jharkhand recorded a voter turnout of 47.92% in 38 assembly seats till 1 PM in the second and final phase of Jharkhand polls, an official said. The highest voting turnout of 53.83 per cent was reported from Pakur, followed by 52.21 per cent from Jamtara, 51.26 per cent from Ramgarh and 50.28 per cent from Dumka district. In the first six hours of polling, Godda recorded a turnout of 50.27 per cent, Deoghar 49.83 per cent, Hazaribag 48.62 per cent, Giridih 48.01 per cent, Sahebganj 47.51 per cent and Dhanbad 43.16 per cent. The lowest turnout was recorded in Bokaro at 42.52 per cent till 1 PM. A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, are eligible to exercise their franchise on Wednesday, another official said.

Jharkhand Leader of Opposition and BJP candidate from Chandankyari seat, Amar Kumar Bauri on Wednesday exuded confidence on his party's victory, saying it would form the government in the state. Bauri, who is seeking re-election from Chandankiyari, offered prayers at his residence as voting is in progress for Jharkhand election 2024. He said, "I do this every day. I begin my day by offering prayers. With the rising sun today, a new morning for Jharkhand has also begun. It has been 25 years since the formation of Jharkhand. Voters and people of Jharkhand are going to elect their Govt. The second phase of elections is underway. May God bless us in protecting the honour of the natives and tribals, and people vote for their future. With the blessings of the people, BJP is going to form the government."

On Jharkhand assembly elections, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said BJP will come to power in Jharkhand. He said, "The victory of NDA under the leadership of BJP is certain... In Jharkhand, people have expressed their trust in the leadership of PM Modi. NDA will also get a huge lead in Jharkhand. I appeal to the voters to make NDA candidates win for progress in both the states ..."

Amid the polling, a controversy arose in the Madhupur constituency of Deoghar district, where a polling officer at booth number 111 was removed on allegations of influencing voters to support a particular party. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey claimed that the officer was arrested for directing the electorate to vote in favour of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Polling is being conducted across 14,219 booths in 38 constituencies across 12 districts.Voting will end at 5 p.m., though 31 highly sensitive booths will close at 4 p.m. Read more...

Jharkhand recorded 30% voter turnout in 2nd phase of Assembly polls till 10 am on Wednesday. As per the ECI, Deoghar recorded a turnout of 14.24 per cent, Dhanbad 12.76 per cent, Dumka 14.48 per cent, Giridih 12.69 per cent, Hazaribagh 14.02 per cent, Jamtara 14.90 per cent, Ramgarh 15.87 per cent, Ranchi 16.00 per cent and Sahebganj 14.17 per cent.

Hours before the commencement of the second and final phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections on Wednesday, five trucks were torched allegedly by Maoists in Latehar district, police said. The incident occurred in Laat forest under the jurisdiction of Herhanj Police Station around 1.30 am, a senior officer said. The trucks were deployed in coal transportation at the Tubed Coal Project in Latehar. "The trucks were returning after dumping coal when they were set on fire by members of the banned Jharkhand Prastuti Committee (JPC), a splinter group of Maoists. An investigation has been initiated and raids are being conducted to arrest the perpetrators of the crime,” Latehar superintendent of police Kumar Gaurav said.

Union Minister and BJP's Jharkhand election-incharge, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that 'Roti, Beti, Maati' in Jharkhand are in trouble. He said, "The Jharkhand assembly polls have become the elections to save Jharkhand. 'Roti, Beti, Maati' in Jharkhand are in trouble. JMM-Congress Govt has cheated the youth in the name of jobs. The honour of women is not safe. Infiltrators are taking over resources. Law and order situation is bad. People are pained due to massive corruption. So, people are voting for BJP-NDA candidates. I urge everyone to vote for a prosperous, developed, safe and infiltrators-free Jharkhand...BJP-NDA govt will change the face of Jharkhand and fate of people...You can see the results now itself, BJP-NDA is forming the Govt. People are angry and that is why they are defeating the corrupt and anti-people Govt."

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's wife & JMM candidate for Gandey assembly by-election Kalpana Soren pinned hope on people's mandate for the ruling party. She said, "...I am going myself and would like to go and appeal that everyone, be it men, women, old or young, everyone should come out and exercise their right to vote. I am confident about my victory as I have worked very hard for the people of Gandey...In the next 5 years, I would like to continue the work...People in the state are going to vote for Hemant Soren and our mahagathbandhan..."

Jharkhand recorded 12.71% voter turnout in 2nd phase of Assembly polls till 9 am on Wednesday. A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, are voting. A total of 528 candidates, including Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and BJP’s Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, are contesting in the second phase of elections.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who exuded confidence that the BJP will win with a "two-third" majority in Jharkhand, said on Wednesday that their issues like infiltrations and unemployment have reached the public and the party is going to form a government in Jharkhand on its own for the first time. Dubey also cast his vote in the second phase of Jharkhand Assembly polls that are underway. He said, "We are going to form our government here with full majority. Our issues like infiltration, unemployment and corruption have reached the public...Adivasis have taken the resolve to change the government here. We are coming to power with a 2/3rd majority. BJP is going to form its government in Jharkhand on its own for the first time."

Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi, who cast his vote at a polling booth in Giridih for the ongoing Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024, highlighted infiltration and unemployment as major issues in the state and accused incumbent Chief Minister Hemant Soren of betraying the youth. Marandi encouraged everyone to participate in the elections. "Everyone should exercise their franchise. This is a festival of democracy, and we get this opportunity to vote for the development of the state once every five years. The main issues are infiltration and unemployment. CM Soren has betrayed the youth. We have appealed to the youth to support the NDA this time," he said.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday urged the voters of Maharashtra and Jharkhand to cast their votes in their respective state assembly elections. "Today is the second and final phase of voting in Jharkhand. I appeal to all the voters of this phase, especially the youth, to vote in maximum numbers to elect a new government with a massive majority that will bring peace and prosperity to the state. The future of Jharkhand depends on your one vote." he wrote in his post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters in Jharkhand to participate with full enthusiasm in the voting taking place on Wednesday. "Today is the second and last phase of the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand. I urge all voters to participate in it enthusiastically and create a new record of voting. On this occasion, I especially congratulate all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time. Your every vote is the strength of the state," PM Modi wrote on his post on X.

JMM MP Nalin Soren says, "I want to continue with my tradition of voting early...Whoever is elected as the MLA, I would like to tell them to carry on with the tradition...People would vote on the issue of development...My Government would remain in power..."

BJP candidate from Dhanbad Assembly, Raj Sinha says, "As per the current trend and seeing the huge number of voters, it is clear that BJP is going to form its government in this election. We raised the issue of Bangladesh (infiltrators) because it is the truth and the people need to know about it and its consequences..."

People queue up outside a polling booth in Dumka as they await their turn to cast vote for the second and final phase of the state assembly elections. Dumka has been one of the strongholds of the JMM. The constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and its voters are primarily from tribal communities, with a mix of backward classes, minorities, and upper castes.

Basant Soren, the sitting MLA from Dumka and son of JMM president Shibu Soren, is seeking re-election. Sunil Soren, a former BJP MP, has been fielded by the party to challenge the JMM in Dumka. Babu Ram Murmu is contesting from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Dumka has a total of 2,59,079 voters including 1,26,903 male voters and 1,32,175 female voters.

In the 2020 Assembly by-election, Basant Soren (JMM) won the seat with 80,559 votes, against Louis Marandi (BJP), who secured 73,717 votes. As many as 236 polling booths have been set here for the polls.

The second phase of voting will decide the electoral fate of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren (both JMM), and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri (BJP) besides more than 500 other candidates who are contesting in 38 of the total 81 assembly seats.

The Silli Assembly constituency is one of the 81 constituencies in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. It is constituency number 61 of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. The constituency is a general seat not reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto will be facing stiff competition from his long-time rival and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Amit Mahto.

BJP-Jharkhand president Babulal Marandi said that the mood of the people in Jharkhand is to change Hemant Soren led JMM govt as they have gone through pain in these five years. He said, "A few days back I-T department raided many locations related to the PA of the CM. It's not possible without black money, if someone is this much dipped in corruption what option does he have instead of making allegations against some of our leaders. BJP-NDA will get more than 51 seats, and we are going to form the govt."

In the second and final phase of voting for Jharkhand Assembly Election held today, as many as 38 constituencies across 12 districts are going to polls. BJP candidate from Giridih assembly constituency is Nirbhay Kumar Shahabadi while the AJSU has fielded Chandra Prakash Choudhary. In 2019, JMM candidate Sudivya Kumar won the Giridih seat by a margin of 15,884 votes.