Jharkhand Election 2024 Live: BJP predicts victory in 33 seats as Jharkhand wraps up Phase 1 voting

'People want change': BJP leader predicts 33-34 seats in Jharkhand Phase 1 polls

"As per the polling that was held on 43 seats, it was evident that people want a change, they voted enthusiastically, and they want to get rid of the Hemant Soren government. As per our calculations, we will win at least 33-34 seats in this phase," said BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo

Congress released Jharkhand manifesto violating poll code: chief electoral officer

Jharkhand's chief electoral officer K Ravi Kumar said on Wednesday that the Congress released its manifesto for the assembly polls in violation of the model code of conduct, and a report regarding this has been submitted to the Election Commission. The Congress released its manifesto on Tuesday, a day before the first phase of polling in the state. It promised 250 units of free electricity, a caste-based census and the filling up of all vacant government posts within a year.

The state BJP had lodged a complaint with the EC, seeking action against the Congress and JMM for releasing their manifestos during the silent period.

"We have sent a detailed report to the EC. Our report also states that the manifesto was released violating the Representation of People Act," Kumar said.

The state Congress, however, denied having violated the model code of conduct.

Jharkhand Phase 1 Election Live: 64.86% voter turnout at 5 pm; surpasses 63.9% voting in 2019 assembly polls

The first phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections, which began on Wednesday, recorded a voter turnout of 64.86% by 5 pm across 43 assembly constituencies, surpassing the 63.9% turnout seen in the 2019 elections, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Voting commenced at 7 am and concluded peacefully, with no incidents of violence reported. The ECI noted an enthusiastic and festive atmosphere throughout the districts, many of which have significant tribal populations and areas previously affected by Left Wing Extremism.

Voters from diverse backgrounds, including first-time voters, senior citizens, women, persons with disabilities, and tribal communities, turned out in large numbers across the 15 districts that participated, undeterred by threats and calls for a boycott.

Jharkhand Phase 1 Election Live: 'BJP does not focus on the rural areas,' says Congress leader Rajesh Thakur

Former Jharkhand Congress President Rajesh Thakur said, "Wherever PM Narendra Modi visited or held a road show, the polling percentage is very low... People from rural areas came out in large numbers to vote for the INDIA alliance... BJP does not focus on the rural areas. Their only focus lies on urban areas..."

Maharashtra Election 2024 Live: 'Mahayuti govt committed to develop infrastructure in Palghar,' says CM Shinde

Campaigning for Mahayuti candidates, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said his government was committed to develop infrastructure in the coastal Palghar district. During the day, Shinde spoke at rallies in support of Rajendra Gavit, the candidate from Palghar assembly constituency, and Vilas Tare, candidate from Boisar ahead of the November 20 state elections. He highlighted major ongoing and upcoming projects including the Vadhvan Port which involves an investment of Rs 76,000 crore and plans to extend the Mumbai Sea Link from Versova to Virar, Palghar and Dahanu.

Voter turnout in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency bypolls drops

The Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, where Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her electoral debut, saw a voter turnout of around 65 per cent during the bypoll on Wednesday. This was a decline from the close to 74 per cent turnout recorded in the polls held in April, when her brother and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi contested from the hill constituency.

It was over 80 per cent when Rahul contested the polls from the hill constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

When polling started at 7 am, it progressed briskly, raising hopes among the political parties that the voter turnout would surpass the previous one. However, those hopes faded as the turnout crossed the 50 per cent mark after eight hours of polling.

Maharashtra Election 2024 Live: Milind Deora on upcoming polls

"I would say that there is a huge difference between what happened in the Lok Sabha elections and the Assembly polls. I think in the Lok Sabha elections there was a huge fake narrative being propagated against the government and Mahayuti that if Modi ji becomes the PM again, then elections would not be held and Constitution would be changed. People have seen in six months that none of that has happened... I think the Haryana election win also debunked the fake narrative that was trying to be spread in Haryana also. So, I am confident that the fake narrative is over and now it would be purely on development and who wants to take Maharashtra forward," said Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora

Maharashtra Election 2024 Live: 'People of Maharashtra have understood fake promises,' says Piyush Goyal

Union minister Piyush Goyal said, "In the Lok Sabha elections, there was a difference of merely 2 lakh votes between MVA and us. They can mislead people with fake narratives just once. The people of Maharashtra have understood the fake promises. Sharad Pawar was a Union Minister for 10 years and even he did not do anything for the farmers and Marathas."

Nearly 65 per cent polling till 5 pm in Rajasthan bypolls

In the bypolls for seven assembly seats in Rajasthan on Wednesday, a voter turnout of over 64% was recorded by 5 pm, according to election officials. Polling took place in Jhunjhunu, Dausa, Deoli-Uniara, Khinvsar, Chorasi, Salumber, and Ramgarh constituencies, beginning at 7 am under tight security arrangements.

Ramgarh led with the highest voter turnout at 71.45%, closely followed by Khinvsar at 71.04% and Chorasi at 68.55%. Salumber recorded a turnout of 64.19%, Deoli-Uniara saw 60.61%, Jhunjhunu had 61.8%, and Dausa had the lowest turnout at 55.63%.

The voting process was largely peaceful, with no reports of significant incidents. However, a minor disruption occurred in Deoli-Uniara, where an independent candidate reportedly slapped an area magistrate — a Rajasthan Administrative Service officer — due to tensions over locals boycotting the polling process.

As Maharashtra assembly elections draw nearer, Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday launched a strong attack on the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, calling it an “Aurangzeb fan club” and alleging that its leaders are against the interests of Maharashtra.

During a campaign rally at Maharashtra's Dhule, Shah said that the MVA alliance — which includes the Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena, and Sharad Pawar's NCP — stands in opposition to key initiatives, including the renaming of Aurangabad, the Ram temple construction, the abrogation of Article 370, and surgical strikes against Pakistan.

“Mahayuti means ‘Vikas’ (development) and Aghadi means ‘Vinash’ (destruction). You have to decide whether to bring to power those who drive development or those who cause destruction,” Shah said.

Jharkhand Phase 1 Election Live: Voter turnout till 5pm

Jharkhand (Phase-1) recorded 64.86% voter turnout till 5 pm, as per the Election Commission of India.

Wayanad voter turnout

Wayanad recorded 60.79% voter turnout till 5 pm, as per the Election Commission of India.

Jharkhand Phase 1 Election Live: 'JMM wants to keep Jharkhand in the clutches of poverty,' says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam CM and BJP Jharkhand co-incharge Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "We have not written our election manifesto overnight. We took ideas from the governance model of BJP-governed states, talked to the people of Jharkhand, and took 4-5 months of extensive deliberations before drafting our manifesto... Money won't be a problem for us in Jharkhand. The state has been blessed with natural resources... JMM wants to keep Jharkhand in the clutches of poverty, but it has the potential to be the most prosperous state of the country..."

Jharkhand Phase 1 Election Live: PM Modi in Jharkhand

"Modi is going to make your electricity bill zero. We will give Rs 75,000 to Rs 80,000 to every household for installing solar panels. The electricity that will be generated from it will have zero electricity bill and if there is more electricity than your requirement, then the government will buy your electricity."

Jharkhand Phase 1 Election Live: 'Jharkhand govt not allowing pucca houses for people,' PM slams JMM govt

"People from all corners are only saying one thing, 'roti, beti, maati ki pukaar, Jharkhand mein NDA ki sarkar'. I want to express my gratefulness to them. When our governments take a decision, we get the blessings from people of Jharkhand. They tell that whatever schemes we bring, the people of JMM, RJD, and Congress loot them. Now I am sending money directly into accounts of people. The government is not allowing pucca houses for people. I know your agonies, you don't get sand, these people sell them. I brought a scheme for tap water at homes. The places where NDA governments are there, these taps are being installed, but it is not getting implemented here, the money was looted by them," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Jharkhand Phase 1 Election Live: Brisk voting in Maoist-affected areas despite call to boycott polls

Brisk voting was recorded in Maoist-affected areas in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district despite a call given by the red rebels to boycott assembly elections on Wednesday, officials said. The Maoists had put up posters and banners at the gates of a polling station in Rabanga village in Manoharpur constituency, calling upon electors to boycott the polls, and also placed an object which was suspected to be a bomb, they said.

Voting was delayed by half-an-hour as police cordoned off the area and removed the banners and posters, along with the suspicious object as sniffer dogs and a bomb squad were deployed at the spot.

Despite the incident, hundreds of voters gathered at the polling centre from the morning to cast their votes.

Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar said that tight security arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polls.

Maharashtra Election 2024 Live: 'Mahayuti is going to form govt,' says Amit Shah

Addressing a public rally in Chalisgaon, Union home minister Amit Shah said, "I have come to North Maharashtra for the second time... I went everywhere... The result of this election is going to be that on November 23, the Aghadi is going to be wiped out... The Mahayuti is going to form the government... In Haryana, the BJP government was formed. The polling is underway in Jharkhand. The BJP will form a government in Jharkhand and Mahayuti will form a government in Maharashtra... Congress's politics is based on lies and misguiding the people... Rahul Baba was waving the Constitution in Maharashtra... but when the copy of the Constitution was opened, the pages were blank... I doubt if he has even read the Constitution..."

Jharkhand Phase 1 Election Live: Congress 'shehzada' conspiring to scrap reservations, alleges PM Modi

In an apparent dig at Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the Congress 'shehzada' of conspiring to scrap reservations for people belonging to SC, ST and OBC communities in an attempt to "weaken" them. He also alleged that the ruling JMM-led coalition in Jharkhand "helped infiltrators become permanent citizens" of the state.

"This is a deep-rooted conspiracy that will change Jharkhand's identity," the PM said while addressing a BJP rally in Deoghar.

Promising to thwart such attempts, including that of weakening SC, ST and OBC communities, Modi exuded confidence that the BJP-led NDA was going to form government in Jharkhand and he would come to attend the oath ceremony.

Maharashtra Election 2024 Live: 'Politics of Congress is based on lies,' says Amit Shah

Addressing a public rally in Chalisgaon, Union home minister Amit Shah says, "The politics of Congress is based on lies. They are saying that the investment in Maharashtra decreased after the Mahayuti government was formed... After the government of Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar was formed, Maharashtra became no. 1 in India in terms of FDI... One vote of yours will deposit Rs. 2100 in the accounts of Ladli Behna of Maharashtra, it will deposit Rs. 15,000 in the accounts of farmers and strengthen the government..."

Maharashtra Election 2024 Live: Amit Shah targets MVA

Maha Vikas Aghadi grouping is Aurangzeb Fan Club; BJP-led Mahayuti follows ideals of Shivaji Maharaj and Savarkar: Amit Shah in Dhule.

Maharashtra Election 2024 Live: Union home minister Amit Shah takes aim at Congress

Sonia-Manmohan regime didn’t act against Naxalism and terrorism for sake of vote bank politics: Amit Shah at rally in Jalgaon district

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: Cricket legend MS Dhoni casts his vote

Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni casts his vote at a polling booth in Ranchi to cast his vote for

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: 'Under JMM-Congress, every wrong thing has been done to make infiltrators permanent residents,' says PM Modi

Addressing a public rally at Deoghar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the biggest worry in the state was that of the Bangladeshi infiltrators and the need to protect the tribal families was at the top.

"I have been travelling around Jharkhand and I have noticed that the biggest worry here has been about the Bangladeshi infiltrators. As per whatever data has been available, we have learnt that the tribal population in Santhal has now reduced to half. We have to protect our tribal families and Jharkandi from this and that should be our first priority," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi proceeded to launch an attack on the JMM-Congress party and said that they had done every wrong thing to make the infiltrators permanent residents in the state.

"There is a huge conspiracy being done to change the identity of Jharkhand. Under JMM Congress, every wrong thing was done to make these infiltrators the permanent residents in the state. These infiltrators have snatched your 'roti' and jobs. The government has become two-faced on this and said in the court that there has been no infiltration in the state. It has become difficult for the local people here to even live peacefully, for 'Roti, Beti and Makaan', the Prime Minister said.

Jharkhand Election 2024 Live: MS Dhoni and wife Sakshi arrive at Ranchi polling booth to cast their votes

Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni along with his wife, Sakshi arrives at a polling booth in Ranchi to cast his vote for Jharkhand assembly elections.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: Voters in Dandinapete locality of Savanur refused to participate in the Shiggaon assembly election

Voters in Dandinapete locality of Savanur refused to participate in the Shiggaon assembly election. Their protest stems from the lack of property documentation, despite residing in the area for eight decades. The residents displayed banners expressing their grievance about authorities transferring the mutation rights of their long-occupied properties to another organisation.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: 46.25% voter turnout recorded till 1pm

By 1pm on Wednesday, the first phase of Jharkhand’s assembly elections recorded a voter turnout of 46.25%, according to the Election Commission of India. Voting, which began at 7 am, is taking place in 43 out of the state’s 81 seats.

Gumla led with the highest turnout at 52.11%, followed by Lohardaga (51.53%) and Khunti (51.37%). Other districts with strong voter participation include Seraikella-Kharsawan (50.71%), Simdega (50.66%), and Latehar (50.41%).

Turnout in additional districts is as follows: Kodarma (47.33%), Ramgarh (46.81%), Garhwa (46.75%), West Singhbhum (46.41%), Hazaribagh (45.77%), Chatra (45.76%), East Singhbhum (44.88%), and Palamu (44.00%).

Ranchi, the state capital, recorded the lowest turnout at 40.98% by 1 pm.

Rahul Gandhi, listen, PM Modi will definitely amend the Waqf Act, says Amit Shah in Maharashtra

"People in this country are troubled by the Waqf law. Recently, the Waqf Board in Karnataka decided that entire villages are Waqf property. 400-year-old temples, farmers' land and people's houses became Waqf property. We have brought a bill to amend the Waqf Act, but Rahul Baba and Pawar Sahab are opposing the bill. Rahul Gandhi, listen, PM Modi will definitely amend the Waqf Act," he said.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: BJP leader Jayant Sinha casts his vote in Hazaribag

Wayanad bypolls: 34.38% voter turnout till 12.30pm

Polling in the Wayanad Lok Sabha and Chelakkara assembly constituencies in Kerala continued at a brisk pace on Wednesday, with voter turnouts of 34.38% and 36.08%, respectively, after the first five hours. The election process, conducted under tight security, proceeded largely without incident, though some electronic voting machines (EVMs) experienced breakdowns at a few booths in both constituencies. These issues were quickly addressed by election officials.

Emotional scenes unfolded at the polling stations for landslide survivors in Wayanad, who were voting in the bypoll for the first time since the devastating landslides of July. Many voters were reunited with neighbors and friends they had not seen since the disaster.

To assist the survivors, a special free vehicle service was arranged to help them travel from their temporary residences to the polling stations.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: Hemant Soren urges people to cast vote to save 'democracy'

West Bengal bypolls: 30% voter turnout recorded till 11am in 6 assembly seats

By 11am, a voter turnout of over 30% was recorded for the bypolls to six assembly seats in West Bengal, according to election officials. Voting began at 7am in the Sitai, Madarihat, Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, and Taldangra constituencies, with tight security measures in place. The polling will continue until 5 pm, the official added. "Polling has been peaceful. No untoward incident has been reported from the constituencies where voting is underway," the Election Commission official said.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: CM Hemant Soren casts his vote

The JMM leader was accompanied by Kalpana Soren, who also cast her vote.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: 29.31% voter turnout till 11am

As of 11am, Jharkhand recorded a voter turnout of 29.31% in the first phase of the assembly elections, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Khunti district led with the highest turnout of 34.12%, while Ramgarh had the lowest turnout at 24.17%.

Other districts with notable turnouts include Gumla (33.86%), Lohardaga (33.44%), Simdega (33.18%), Seraikella-Kharsawan (32.65%), and Koderma (31.10%). Latehar and Garhwa also saw relatively high turnout rates, with 30.59% and 30.38%, respectively.

Meanwhile, turnout figures for other districts were as follows: Chatra (29.52%), Hazaribagh (29.60%), West Singhbhum (29.42%), Palamu (28.36%), East Singhbhum (28.34%), and Ranchi (24.75%).

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: People voting to fulfill dream of 'developed Jharkhand', says PM Modi

"Today, the first phase of voting is being held in the neighbouring state of Jharkhand. The people of Jharkhand are voting to fulfill the dream of a 'developed Jharkhand'. I would request all the voters of Jharkhand to participate in the voting in maximum numbers," he said.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: Former CM, BJP candidate Champai Soren casts vote

"Today, voting will be held for 43 seats in the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections. The opportunity to elect a government of your choice in the state comes only once in five years. Therefore, all of you are requested to exercise your democratic rights and vote," he had earlier said in a post on X.

Wayanad bypolls: 20.54% voter turnout till 10.30am

Brisk polling was observed for the Wayanad Lok Sabha and Chelakkara assembly bypolls in Kerala on Wednesday, with voter turnouts of 20.54% and 19.08%, respectively, after the first three hours of voting. The election process, conducted under tight security, proceeded largely without incident, although some electronic voting machine (EVM) breakdowns were reported at a few booths in both Wayanad and Chelakkara. These technical glitches were promptly addressed by election officials.

In Wayanad, the voter turnout at 9:30 am was 13.7%, slightly increasing to 13.91% by 10 am, before sharply rising to 20.54% by 10.30am, according to the Election Commission. Meanwhile, in the Chelakkara assembly bypoll, the turnout was recorded at 14.64% at 9:30 am and increased to 19.08% by 10.10am.

Voters in Wayanad, which has over 14 lakh registered voters and 1,354 polling booths, began arriving early in the morning to cast their ballots in the hill constituency.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: Vote to protect rights, strengthen Constitution, Rahul Gandhi tells voters

"Brothers and sisters of Jharkhand, today the first phase of voting is taking place in your state. I appeal to all the voters to cast your vote to protect your rights and strengthen the constitution and democracy," Gandhi said in a post on X.

"Your every vote for INDIA will bring prosperity in your life through 7 guarantees, will protect 'jal-jungle-zameen (water, forest and land) and will strengthen social justice," he added.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: Police use drones for surveillance in Ranchi with voting underway

Jharkhand police are deploying drones for surveillance in Ranchi to ensure robust security during the first phase of voting in the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly Elections. "The message to the people of Ranchi is to exercise their franchise. We want people to vote peacefully for bright future of their children. Drones are being used for security purposes. Senior citizens should be allowed to vote first," city SP Raj Kumar Mehta said.

Watch: BJP candidate Bharath Bommai and MP Basavaraj Bommai in queue at Shiggaon for casting their votes

Madhya Pradesh bypolls: Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan casts his vote in Sehore for for Budhni by-elections

"Voting is the ultimate duty in a democracy, I request everyone to definitely vote... This area, this family belongs to BJP, people have faith in BJP, PM Modi. Ramakant Bhargava will win here with record votes...First phase of polling is underway in Jharkhand, people have come out to vote for BJP, NDA. JMM-Congress alliance will lose badly, we will win with more than two-third majority... We don't believe in division... Other parties, INDI alliance are working to divide. BJP works to unite," he said.

Karnataka bypolls: 10.14% voting till 9am in 3 assembly seats

The by-polls for three Karnataka assembly constituencies—Shiggaon, Sandur, and Channapatna—saw an estimated voter turnout of 10.14% in the first two hours of voting on Wednesday, election officials reported. Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm. More than seven lakh eligible voters are casting their ballots at about 770 polling stations, where a total of 45 candidates are competing.

As of 9am, Channapatna recorded the highest turnout at 10.34%, followed by Shiggaon at 10.08% and Sandur at 9.99%. Voters, including women and the elderly, were seen lining up outside polling booths across these constituencies.

The by-polls were called after the seats became vacant due to the election of their respective representatives—E Tukaram of Congress, former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP, and Union minister H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S)—to the Lok Sabha in the May elections. Channapatna has 31 candidates in the race, while Sandur and Shiggaon have six and eight contenders, respectively.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: 13.04% voter turnout till 9am

Voting for the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly Elections began on Wednesday morning, with a voter turnout of 13.04% recorded by 9am, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Among the districts, Simdega leads with a turnout of 15.09%, followed closely by Lohardaga and Koderma with 14.97%. Other districts saw the following participation rates: Seraikella-Kharsawan at 14.62%, Ramgarh and Khunti at 14.37%, Gumla at 13.93%, West Singhbhum and Latehar at 13.80%, Garhwa at 13.41%, and Hazaribagh at 13.20%.

In the state capital, Ranchi, voter turnout stood at 12.06%, while Palamu recorded 11.84%. The lowest turnout was in East Singhbhum, with just 11.25% of voters casting their ballots by 9am.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: Voting under way as focus is on tribal belt with Seraikela, Ranchi and Jagannathpur being crucial seats

As the Jharkhand assembly elections began today, the ruling JMM, a key partner in the INDIA bloc, faces a tough challenge from the BJP as it seeks a second consecutive term in office. The first phase of voting will cover 20 of the state's 28 ST-reserved seats. The BJP, buoyed by its surprise victory in Haryana and a rebound from its Lok Sabha performance, has focused its campaign on issues such as infiltration by outsiders, corruption, and unemployment.

On the other hand, the JMM is banking on its flagship initiatives, including the Maiya Samman Yojana, which provides a monthly payout to women, and the restoration of the old pension scheme for state government employees. Additionally, the JMM hopes that the ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) action against Chief Minister Hemant Soren will be viewed as an attack on tribal pride, rallying support for the party.

Jharkhand Election Phase 1 Live: NDA candidate Saryu Rai casts his vote from Jamshedpur West

As voting began for the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections on Wednesday, NDA candidate and JDU leader Saryu Rai cast his vote in the Jamshedpur West constituency. Rai took the opportunity to criticize his rival, state Health Minister Banna Gupta, stating that Gupta posed no real challenge to him and that any other Congress candidate could have been a stronger contender.

Expressing confidence in the outcome, Rai voiced optimism about a change in the state's government and expressed his belief that the BJP-led coalition would emerge victorious in the elections.

"Results on November 23 will tell what will happen. We hope that there will be a change and NDA government will be formed in the state. Banna Gupta is not a challenge. As a Health Minister has made the state and the government 'ill', which is why there is no challenge from him. Although there are traditional votes of Congress. It could be better and more challenging if there was some other candidate from Congress. We have been to several places in our constituency and watched the public's mood, after which I can say the results will come in my favour..." he said.