Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: JMM, BJP express confidence about forming next government in Jharkhand

"Till November 23, JMM can smile and live in the world of dreams, and can claim that they are winning. However, once the counting gets completed by the evening of November 23, they would once again start complaining about EVMs," says BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo

"The counting will begin at 8 am. At first, the postal ballots will be counted and the EVM counting will begin from 8.30 am. At around 9.30 am, the first round of result will be declared. Similarly, the results for the other rounds will be declared at intervals of 20 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively," says state Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar at a press conference in Ranchi.

EC reported a turnout of nearly 68.5% across 38 constituencies at 5pm in the final phase, marking a marginal increase from 67% in these seats in 2019. Maheshpur (ST) in the minority-dominated Pakur district led with over 79%.

Kalpana Soren, the JMM candidate from Gandey Assembly constituency and wife of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, observed on Wednesday that constituents are exercising their voting rights whilst choosing progressive governance.

"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," she said to news agency ANI.

She conveyed sincere appreciation to Gandey residents, recognising their consistent backing and affection throughout her campaign visits.

"I am grateful especially towards the people of Gandey, wherever I go, I get their love. I wish that I continue to receive his love like this," she expressed.

After the debacle for Indian pollsters in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year and the recently finished Haryana elections, most TV channels refrained from commissioning exit polls for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections.

The governing JMM and opposition BJP both expressed optimism about establishing the next administration in Jharkhand as voting concluded on Wednesday evening. Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated that the state's residents have bestowed their support upon the JMM-led coalition.

"The elderly, youth, workers, women, farmers -- all gave their unprecedented blessings with enthusiasm and zeal in this great festival of democracy. All, especially the half population of the state - our Maiyas (women), enthusiastically gave their infinite blessings to the JMM and INDIA alliance in a historic manner for their rights, dignity and respect," he shared on X.

State BJP leader Babulal Marandi asserted that the NDA would secure more than 51 seats out of the total 81 in the state.

"In the Lok Sabha polls, NDA had a lead on 51 assembly seats in the state. We are confident that NDA will win over 51 seats in the assembly polls," he stated to journalists.

Voter turnout of 67.59 pc registered in 38 assembly seats till 5 PM in second and final phase of Jharkhand polls: Official.

EVMs are being sealed by polling officials as the voting for the Jharkhand's second phase concludes. (ANI)

Jharkhand BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday said he had filed a complaint with the Election Commission against a presiding officer for allegedly "favouring a ruling party candidate" in Madhupur assembly constituency during voting. Dubey claimed that following his complaint, the officer was arrested.

"I filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the presiding officer at booth number 111 in Madhupur, Deoghar district, for favouring Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate and Minister Hafizul Hassan. The commission took my complaint seriously and arrested the officer," Dubey told reporters in Deoghar.

However, the Deoghar administration said the officer was replaced after being found too close to the voting compartment, which is against Election Commission rules.

An official statement from Deoghar administration clarified that the presiding officer at booth number 111 had been replaced.

"During monitoring in the webcasting room, the presiding officer was found too close to the voting compartment, which violates Election Commission rules and demonstrates gross negligence in performing duties," the statement read. (PTI)

Voter turnout of 61.47 pc registered in 38 assembly seats till 3 PM in the second and final phase of Jharkhand polls, poll official.

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren's wife and JMM candidate from the Gandey Assembly seat, Kalpana Soren, on Wednesday expressed confidence in the victory of the Mahagathbandhan alliance in the assembly elections, stating that the people of the state will vote for Hemant Soren and our Mahagathbandhan.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Kalpana Soren said, "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 (alliance)."

She also accused BJP of prioritising division over discussions about development.

"This is the first time after the formation of Jharkhand that the women in the state have been given the respect that they deserve...Hemant Soren has been working very well as a young chief minister. They (BJP) do not want to talk about development, they only want to talk about division. We are definitely going to form our government in the state."

"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...Adivasis too speak Bengali, Muslims also speak Bengali, Dalits speak Bengali. Does that make us Bangladeshis? You abused the Bengali community...People have rejected this...Jharkhand doesn't share a border with Bangladesh," Jharkhand Minister & sitting MLA as well as the candidate from Jamtara, Irfan Ansari said. (ANI)

Amar Kumar Bauri, the Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand and BJP's candidate contesting from Chandankyari constituency, displayed optimism about his party forming the next government. He is contesting to retain his seat from Chandankiyari.

As the polling for Jharkhand elections 2024 was underway, Bauri performed his daily ritual of offering prayers at his residence.

He stated, "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 people, BJP is going to form the Government."

Voter turnout of 47.92 pc recorded in 38 assembly seats till 1 PM in second and final phase of Jharkhand polls.

Nishikant Dubey, a BJP MP from Jharkhand, reported filing a complaint with the Election Commission regarding alleged misconduct by a presiding officer in Madhupur assembly constituency during the voting process. According to Dubey, the officer was subsequently arrested after the complaint was lodged.

Speaking to reporters in Deoghar, Dubey stated, "I filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the presiding officer at booth number 111 in Madhupur, Deoghar district, for favouring Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate and Minister Hafizul Hassan. The commission took my complaint seriously and arrested the officer."

Union minister and BJP's Jharkhand election-incharge, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "The Jharkhand Assembly Polls 2024 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."

Voter turnout of 31.37 per cent recorded in 38 assembly seats of Jharkhand till 11 am in second and final phase of Jharkhand polls,

During the second phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand, JMM leader Kalpana Soren expressed strong optimism on Wednesday about the INDIA bloc's electoral prospects, stating with certainty their forthcoming government formation in the state.

In her remarks, Kalpana Soren commended the performance of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, highlighting his effective leadership in the role of Chief Minister.

"This is the first time after the formation of Jharkhand that the women in the state have been given the respect they deserve, as Hemant Soren has fulfilled the responsibility of being a son and brother... Hemant Soren has been working very well as a young Chief Minister. I will fulfil whatever responsibility I will be given with more than my capability and will try to tell my thoughts through my work. They (BJP) do not want to talk about development, they only want to talk about division. We are definitely going to form our government in the state..." Soren said.

RJD president and former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav expressed confidence in the defeat of the BJP in the upcoming Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly elections.

He stated, "The BJP will lose in both Jharkhand and Maharashtra."

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha candidate Stephen Marandi, after casting his vote in Maheshpur, expressed confidence about his party's prospects.

He stated, "We are stronger than before as it is definite that the alliance will grow in Santhal Pargana."

Jharkhand Minister Dipika Pandey Singh expressed her satisfaction after casting her vote in Godda for the ongoing elections.

She urged the public to participate in the "festival of democracy" in large numbers, adding, "I fulfilled my duty to vote. I am expecting good results."

After casting his vote in Bokaro, BJP candidate from Chandankiyari, Amar Kumar Bauri, expressed confidence in his party's win.

"Counting will happen on November 23, but BJP will definitely win. People have chosen BJP for change and protection of 'Maati, Beti, Roti'," he said, emphasising the party's strong appeal among voters.

Kalpana Soren, wife of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, called on all voters to exercise their democratic right. "I am going myself and appeal to everyone—men, women, young or old—to come out and vote. I am confident about my victory, having worked hard for the people of Gandey," she said.

Soren also expressed her commitment to continuing the development work for the people of Gandey in the next five years, adding, "The people of the state are going to vote for Hemant Soren and our mahagathbandhan."

12.71% voter turnout recorded till 9 am in the second and final phase of Jharkhand assembly elections.

Voting is in progress for 38 assembly constituencies in second and final phase of Jharkhand elections, with robust security measures in place, as confirmed by officials. The voting commenced at 7 am across 12 districts, encompassing 14,218 polling stations, and shall continue until 5 pm.

Officials have specified that whilst voting will conclude at 4 pm in 31 polling stations, individuals already queued at that time shall be permitted to cast their votes.

Babulal Marandi, the BJP-Jharkhand President, criticised the Hemant Soren-led JMM government, highlighting issues of corruption and poor governance throughout their five-year tenure.

Discussing the current assembly polls, Marandi said, "The mood of the people in Jharkhand is to change the Hemant Soren-led JMM government as they have gone through enough pain in these five years, be it old or the youth, everybody has faced a crisis. Hence, today the opportunity has arrived when the people will vote for transformation in favour of the NDA."

Marandi pointed to the recent Income Tax investigations at premises connected to the Chief Minister's assistant, suggesting illicit financial activities. "It's not possible without black money. If someone is this deep 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 government," he said while talking to news agency ANI.

The Santhal Pargana region, which consists of six districts - Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj and Pakur, accounts for eighteen out of the total 38 constituencies.

Whilst North Chotanagpur division holds eighteen constituencies, South Chotanagpur contains the remaining two seats.

A total of 528 candidates - 472 men, 55 women, and one candidate from the transgender community - are contesting for 38 assembly seats.

Rajmahal Borio (ST) Barhait (ST) Litipara (ST) Pakaur Maheshpur (ST) Sikaripara (ST) Nala Jamtara Dumka (ST) Jama (ST) Jarmundi Madhupur Sarath Deoghar (SC) Poreyahat Godda Mahagama Ramgarh Mandu Dhanwar Bagodar Jamua (SC) Gandey Giridih Dumri Gomia Bermo Bokaro Chandankiyari (SC) Sindri Nirsa Dhanbad Jharia Tundi Baghmara Silli Khijri (ST).

BJP candidate from Dhanbad Assembly, Raj Sinha, while talking to news agency ANI, said, "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".

• Barhait
• Dhanwar
• Gandey

Voting for second phase of Jharkhand assembly elections began across 38 constituencies.

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar on Tuesday took note of press conferences held by the JMM and BJP during the silence period ahead of the second phase of assembly elections scheduled for Wednesday. He directed the District Electoral Officer of Ranchi to register FIRs against both parties for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The JMM and BJP had organized press conferences at their respective party offices earlier that day.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on the last day of campaigning for the Jharkhand Assembly elections, accused the central government of "working against Jharkhand" by withholding Rs 1.36 lakh crore in dues that the state is allegedly owed. Addressing a press conference in Ranchi, Rahul Gandhi urged voters to support the JMM-led alliance, framing the election as a battle between two competing ideologies.

"This election is a battle of ideologies," Gandhi said. "On one side is the INDIA alliance, which is committed to protecting the Constitution and wants to run a government that works for the poor and tribals. On the other side are forces that seek to crush the Constitution. Senior leaders of the BJP and the RSS have openly said they want to change the Constitution. We are committed to conducting a caste census and removing the 50 per cent reservation limit."

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Kalpana Soren held an election campaign in the Gandey Assembly constituency on Monday, urging the people to support her candidacy, highlighting her efforts over the past 4-5 months to bring about positive change in the region. Kalpana, who is contesting from Gandey, expressed confidence in her work, stating that she has instilled a "new ray of hope" among the locals.

"I just want love and blessings from everyone in the Gandey constituency. I want the people to showcase their support for me based on the work I have done here in the last few months. I have raised a new ray of hope amongst the people. If I get five years, there will be a lot of work to do. Please give your vote on bow and arrow (JMM's election symbol) on November 20," Kalpana Soren said at a public meeting, urging voters to back her vision for the constituency.

Earlier in the day, Kalpana criticized the BJP for not supporting the JMM government in addressing key public issues, accusing the opposition of being indifferent to the welfare of the people of Jharkhand. She pointed out that despite the short tenure of the JMM government, including a five-month period when Chief Minister Hemant Soren was in jail, the government continued to work for the people.

Campaigning for the second and final phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections came to a close on Monday evening, as voters prepare to cast their ballots on November 20 across 38 constituencies. These include 18 seats from the Santhal Pargana region, 18 from North Chotanagpur, and 2 from South Chotanagpur divisions.

Of the 38 constituencies, eight are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs), three for Scheduled Castes (SCs), and the remaining 27 are general category seats.

Some of the prominent candidates in the fray include Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren (JMM) from Barhait, state BJP president and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi from Dhanwar, and JMM's star campaigner Kalpana Soren from Gandey. Other notable contenders include Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato (JMM) from Nala, Leader of Opposition Amar Bauri from Chandankiyari, and Congress leaders Deepika Pandey Singh from Mahagama, Irfan Ansari from Jamtara, and Hafizul Hasan from Madhupur.

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on Monday took a sharp dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning its right to raise the issue of "Beti" (daughters) in Jharkhand while women in Manipur, under BJP rule, are allegedly suffering. In an apparent response to the BJP's framing of the election as one for "Hindu pride," Soren argued that democracy transcends caste and religion.

Speaking at rallies in Dumka and Ranchi on the final day of campaigning, Soren asked, "What do they (BJP leaders) know about the plight of our people? Why are they talking about Roti, Beti, and Mati (bread, daughter, and land)?" This was a direct rebuttal to the BJP’s accusations that the JMM-led government was supporting Bangladeshi infiltrators, allegedly facilitating marriages between tribal women and outsiders to grab tribal land.

Soren turned the tables on the BJP, specifically targeting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been actively campaigning for the BJP in Jharkhand. "Himanta Biswa Sarma must speak out about what’s going on in Manipur. Tribal women there were made to run naked on the roads, and riots are taking place every day. And yet, they are questioning about Beti?" Soren remarked, referencing the violence that has plagued Manipur since May last year, where ethnic clashes have led to horrific assaults on women from one community by members of another.

Jharkhand CM and JMM leader Hemant Soren launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, accusing the party of making empty promises to deceive voters. Speaking at a public meeting in Deoghar, Soren dismissed the BJP's pledge to provide gas cylinders for Rs 500 as a mere "lollipop" to trap the electorate.

"They (BJP) say they will provide cylinders for Rs 500. For so long, Assam's CM has been roaming around here—ask him what the price of a cylinder is in Assam. Ask about the price in Bihar, or Uttar Pradesh. And here they say they’ll give it for Rs 500? This is just a jumla. They are dangling a lollipop in front of you to trap you. Beware of them; they are very cunning," Soren remarked.

Soren also criticized the rising prices under the BJP-led central government, citing the financial hardships faced by ordinary families. "I read about a family that went into such debt because of the rising prices that they could not repay the loans. Eventually, the whole family—husband, wife, and child—died by consuming poison," he said, emphasizing the devastating impact of price hikes on the common people.

Ahead of the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo expressed confidence that the party would secure a two-thirds majority in the state. He suggested that the BJP's momentum was growing, particularly in contrast to the INDI alliance, claiming that the "bhagwa" (saffron) flag was overpowering the "fatwa" issued by Muslim clerics supporting the opposition alliance.

"We are entering the second phase of elections in Jharkhand in a few hours, and the trends are clear. In Jharkhand, 'bhagwa' is overpowering 'fatwa.' The way leaders of the INDI alliance issued fatwas through Muslim clerics, asking people to vote for their candidates, is shameful," Shah Deo said. "The people of Sanatan Dharma are enraged, and they are going to take the INDI alliance out of the state. We are coming to power with a two-thirds majority."

Shah Deo also criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for advocating a caste census in Jharkhand, questioning why it was not carried out during the five years the INDIA alliance held power in the state.

Ahead of the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, BJP leader and former Chief Minister Champi Soren launched a scathing attack on the Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), accusing them of neglecting issues concerning Adivasis in the state. Soren, who is contesting from the Saraikela Assembly constituency, claimed that the people of Jharkhand no longer trust Congress, citing its historical injustice to the state's indigenous communities.

Soren, highlighting his party's growing support across Jharkhand, stated, "We have received a very positive response from the people. From Santhal Parganas to Palamu, there is a BJP wave sweeping through all the constituencies. People do not trust Congress in Jharkhand anymore because they have always been unjust to the people of the state."

He further criticized Congress for its role in suppressing the Jharkhand Andolan (movement) and creating martyrs during that period. "The Jharkhand Andolan went on for so long because of Congress. They were the ones who crushed the movement and created martyrs. They never understood the pain of the Adivasis and Moolnivasis in the state," Soren said, emphasizing that the ruling parties have failed to address the concerns of the tribal communities.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed rallies in Jharkhand, emphasizing that the ongoing assembly elections were crucial for the state's poor, women, and youth. Sarma, who is also the BJP's election co-incharge for Jharkhand, took a sharp dig at the ruling JMM-led coalition, accusing it of failing to fulfill promises made during the 2019 elections.

"Chief Minister Hemant Soren is busy talking about his wife, while his wife says 'ek hi naara, Hemant dobara' (Only one slogan, Hemant for a second time). I want to ask, who will talk about the youth, women, and the poor?" Sarma said, suggesting that this time there would be no "Hemant dobara" (Hemant again).

Sarma further stated that this election is not just about political slogans but about addressing the real needs of the state's people, including the poor, women, and youth. "This time, the polls are for the poor, women, youths, as well as Hindu pride and protection," he said.

The Assam CM criticized the Hemant Soren-led government for its failure to deliver on key promises made during the last election cycle, including the provision of five lakh jobs and unemployment allowances. "These promises were never fulfilled," Sarma claimed, as he sought to galvanize voter support for the BJP in the state.

A day left before the second phase of polling in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, political parties left no stone unturned in their efforts to connect with voters. The second and final phase of voting will take place across 38 assembly constituencies, following the first phase for 43 seats on November 13. Both the ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are working aggressively to garner support through a mix of door-to-door canvassing and social media outreach.

Candidates and party workers from various political factions have been engaged in intense door-to-door campaigning since last night, visiting households to personally appeal for votes. Despite the official end of election campaigning on Monday, there are no restrictions on door-to-door canvassing by a group of up to five workers, as per the Election Commission's guidelines.

After accusing the BJP of launching a "whisper campaign" to sway voters, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren intensified his criticism of the opposition. He alleged that the BJP had spent over Rs 500 crore on "malicious campaigns" aimed at tarnishing his image. Soren further accused the BJP of exploiting hatred as a political tool, claiming the party was an expert in fulfilling its political ambitions by inciting division among people.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Soren stated: "It is the easiest thing for leaders to fulfill their political ambitions by inciting hatred. This campaign is the easiest, and the BJP is an expert in it. But I am from Jharkhand—our culture doesn't allow this, and I will never do this."

The JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) leader also alleged that the BJP had spent significant sums on orchestrating shadow and hate campaigns against him. "According to one estimate, the BJP has spent more than Rs 500 crore on whisper and hate campaigns against me," Soren said, further criticizing the BJP’s tactics.

Union textiles minister Giriraj Singh launched a sharp attack on the Hemant Soren-led government in Jharkhand on Tuesday, accusing it of attempting to transform Ranchi into Karachi. The remarks came just a day before the second phase of the state’s Assembly elections, with Singh urging voters to support the NDA (National Democratic Alliance).

In his statement, Singh called on the electorate to consider the future of their children and the safety of their families before casting their votes. He accused the Soren government of failing to maintain law and order and protect the cultural and religious identity of the people.

The Union Minister further claimed that the Hemant Soren administration was responsible for the declining Hindu population in the state, a statement that has raised significant controversy. He also argued that women wearing burqas should undergo voter identification checks to ensure electoral transparency.