Mock polling begins ahead of first phase of Jharkhand assembly elections

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 13 (ANI): Ahead of the voting for the Jharkhand Assembly elections, officials conducted mock polling at various polling stations across the state on Wednesday morning. The mock polling began at around 5.30 am.
"We started the mock poll from 5:30 am. Our agents are here. We are fully prepared, and all voters are welcome," said Presiding Officer Nitasha at Polling Booth Number 291, speaking to ANI.
Voting will take place today in 43 Assembly constituencies as part of the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections on Wednesday. Voting will be held from 7 am to 5 pm. However, at 950 booths, the voting time will end at 4 pm, though people standing in the queue at that time will still be allowed to vote, as per the election commission.
In the first phase, voting will be held from 7 am to 5 pm. However, in 950 booths, the voting time will end at 4 pm, though people standing in the queue at that time will be able to vote.
Earlier on Tuesday, Jharkhand Chief Election Officer K Ravi Kumar said that everything is ready for the peaceful conduct of Phase 1 of the elections.
Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "There is polling in 15 districts and 43 constituencies. Polling parties have been dispatched, and security arrangements at all booths have been made. Everything is ready for the peaceful conduct of Phase 1 of the elections."
Earlier on Tuesday, Returning Officer for the Ranchi Assembly constituency, Utkarsh Kumar, said that security forces and CAPF personnel have been deployed at polling stations for the first phase of the Assembly polls.
"All basic facilities, including drinking water, toilets, and webcasting facilities, are available at all polling stations. All preparations are in place for polling. Security and CAPF have been deployed at polling stations. All rules and regulations laid down by the Election Commission are being followed," he said.
Deputy Commissioner of East Singhbhum, Ananya Mittal, said that in East Singhbhum district, there are a total of 1,913 booths, with more than 600 locations designated as critical polling stations.
"There are a total of 1,913 booths in JEast Singhbhum district. Teams have been dispatched from two dispatch centres. More than 600 locations come under the critical polling stations. Over sixty companies of Police and CAPF teams have been deployed. Webcasting is being done on all the booths," he told ANI.
In Jharkhand, the BJP-led NDA is aiming to unseat the JMM-led coalition, with key candidates like former Chief Minister Champai Soren and Congress leader Ajoy Kumar in the fray.
Key candidates in the first phase include former Chief Minister and BJP candidate Champai Soren, who is contesting from Seraikella.
In Jamshedpur West, Congress leader Banna Gupta is up against JD(U) leader Saryu Roy, who had defeated Raghubar Das in the previous election.
In Jamshedpur East, Congress leader Ajoy Kumar is pitted against Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Odisha Governor Raghubar Das.
In Jaganathpur, BJP's Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, is contesting against Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has fielded sitting Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji from Ranchi.
Polling in the remaining 38 constituencies of Jharkhand will be held on November 20, and votes will be counted on November 23. In the previous assembly elections, JMM won 30 seats, the BJP won 25, and Congress secured 16 seats. (ANI)