AMN / NEW DESK
Over 58 per cent voter turnout recorded in single phase Assembly elections in Maharashtra; Around 68 per cent voting registered in second Phase of Jharkhand Assembly Elections.
Voting has concluded peacefully for the second and final phase of Assembly Elections in Jharkhand and single phase polling in Maharashtra. The Election Commission has said that Maharashtra has recorded more than 58 cent voter turnout and Jharkhand recorded around 68 per cent voting when reports last came in.
In Jharkhand, voting was held in 38 constituencies in 12 districts in the state. Our correspondent reports that after today’s polling, the political fortune of 528 candidates, including 55 women have been sealed in EVMs.
In the decisive phase of the Jharkhand Assembly election, polling was conducted across 38 seats primarily in the Santhal and Koyalanchal region. The Santhal region is bastion of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, while in the Koyalanchal region, fierce competition was witnessed among political parties. The electoral fate of several political heavyweights was sealed in this phase including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Jharkhand BJP Chief Babulal Marandi, AJSU Party Chief Sudesh Mahto, Wife of the Chief Minister, Kalpana Soren and Chief Minister brother Basant Soren. This phase is also interesting in many ways. A neck to neck fight among women candidates was witnessed on four seats. If we talk about the results in 2019 assembly elections, in these 38 seats, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha had secured 13 seats, BJP 12, Congress 8, and CPI (ML) 1 seat. The political battle fought between NDA and INDIA bloc in this phase will determine the political destiny of the Jharkhand.
In Maharashtra, elections for all 288 seats were held in a single phase in the state. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu had been keeping a close watch on every aspect of the poll process including measures to enhance poll participation.
By-elections were also held for Parliamentary constituency of Nanded in Maharashtra and 15 Assembly seats spread over four states. 53.78 percent of voters exercised their franchise in the Nanded Lok Sabha by-poll till 5 pm. In Uttar Pradesh, more than 49 per cent polling was recorded on all nine assembly seats where by elections were held today.