Jharkhand Assembly elections Phase 1 highlights: 65% voter turnout in 43 seats till 5 pm

Jharkhand Assembly elections LIVE: Voters to decide if JMM stays in power or BJP-led NDA stages a comeback, catch all the LIVE updates here

12:37 PM

Jharkhand Assembly elections LIVE: BJP and allies will bag 14 seats in Kolhan, says Champai Soren

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren on Wednesday asserted that the BJP and allies will win all 14 seats in the Kolhan region. "There is no ifs and buts about it,” Soren said.

12:11 PM

Jharkhand Assembly polls update: Voter turnout of 29% recorded in 43 seats till 11 am

11:34 AM

Illegal infiltration: ED arrests 2 Bangladeshi nationals, 1 Indian

Three people, including two Bangladeshi nationals, have been arrested by the ED during searches connected to a money laundering case related to illegal Bangladeshi infiltration into Jharkhand, official sources said on Wednesday. Rony Mondal and Sameer Chowdhary are nationals of the neighbouring country while Pintu Haldar is an Indian. The three, suspected to be touts, were arrested on Tuesday night from West Bengal in the Bangladeshi Infiltration case for facilitating illegal human trafficking in India, the sources said.

11:00 AM

Simdega registers highest voter turnout at 9 am

According to Election Commission of India, Simdega registerd the highest voter turnout in Jharkhand at 15.09%, followed by Lohardaga at 14.97% and East Singhbhum recorded the lowest voter turnout at 11.25% at 9 am.

10:51 AM

MP bypolls: Vijaypur records 17.86% turnout, Budhni 16.9% till 9 am

A voter turnout of 17.86 per cent was recorded in Vijaypur and 16.90 per cent in Budhni till 9 am as polling was underway on Wednesday for byelections to the two assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, a poll official said. The bypoll to Vijaypur in Sheopur district was necessitated after sitting Congress MLA Ramniwas Rawat joined the BJP. He is currently a minister in the Mohan Yadav cabinet.

10:25 AM

Priyanka will be your sister, your daughter, and your advocate: Rahul to Wayanad voters

"I'm reaching out to my family in Wayanad this election, my sister Priyanka Gandhi is ready to be your voice in Parliament," Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X. "She will be more than just a representative: she will be your sister, your daughter, and your advocate. I am confident she will help unlock Wayanad's full potential," Rahul Gandhi said.

10:06 AM

Jharkhand Assembly elections 2024: Over 13% voter turnout registered in 43 assembly seats till 9 am

Nearly 13.04 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 9 AM on Wednesday in 43 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where voting is underway in the first phase, officials said.

9:52 AM

Think of forming inclusive govt not one that divides: Kharge to voters

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday urged people to vote to strengthen democracy and said they must think about forming a government that ensures the participation of all and not one that "divides, misleads and polarises". His remarks came as polling began for 43 Assembly seats in Jharkhand, Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election and bypolls in 31 Assembly constituencies in 10 states. In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said all voters are requested to cast their valuable votes to strengthen democracy and the Constitution.

9:40 AM

Jharkhand Assembly elections 2024 LIVE: Priyanka Gandhi appeals people to vote in large numbers

“My dear brothers and sisters of Jharkhand, Today is the day to use the rights given to you by the Constitution and elect a welfare government for yourself. For the respect of the tribals, for the self-respect of Jharkhand and for the protection of your water, forest and land, participate enthusiastically in this great festival of democracy, vote in large numbers and make India victorious,” Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi wrote on X.

9:25 AM

Rajya Sabha Dy Chairman Harivansh casts vote in Ranchi

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh exercised at a polling station in Ranchi,  news agency ANI reported.

9:11 AM

Assam bypolls 2024: Voting starts in five assembly seats

Voting for by-elections to five assembly constituencies in Assam began on Wednesday to decide the fate of 34 candidates, an official said. By-elections are being held in Dholai (SC), Sidli (ST), Bongaigaon, Behali and Samaguri assembly constituencies as these seats fell vacant with the representatives of them winning the recent Lok Sabha elections. Voting began at 7 AM and is scheduled to conclude at 5 PM.

9:03 AM

Home Minister Amit Shah urges people of Jharkhand to cast votes in record numbers

Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to those voting in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly polls on Wednesday to exercise their franchise in record numbers to end corruption, infiltration and appeasement in the state. Voting for 43 Assembly seats in Jharkhand began this morning, with 683 candidates, including former chief minister Champai Soren and ex-MP Geeta Kora, trying their luck.

8:26 AM

Jharkhand elections 2024: Vote with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged voters to exercise their franchise with "full enthusiasm" in the first round of voting in the Jharkhand assembly elections. Voting for 43 assembly seats in Jharkhand began this morning with a total of 683 candidates trying their luck, including former chief minister Champai Soren and ex-MP Geeta Kora.

7:59 AM

Jharkhand election 2024: Governor of Jharkhand appeal to people to exercise their franchise

7:48 AM

Jharkhand elections 2024: Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Governor of Jharkhand casts his vote

Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Governor of Jharkhand casts his vote during the first phase of Assembly election.