Jharkhand: Over 29 pc voter turnout recorded till 11 AM

Ranchi: A voter turnout of 29.31 per cent was recorded in the first four hours of polling on Wednesday in 43 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where voting is underway in the first phase, officials said. Of the remaining districts, Ranchi recorded 24.75 per cent voter turnout, the second lowest poll percentage, while neighbouring Ramgarh saw the lowest turnout of 24.17 per cent till 11 AM. Polling began at 7 AM in these constituencies across 15 districts and will continue till 5 PM.A total of 683 candidates are trying their luck, including former CM Champai Soren and ex-MP Geeta Kora.Long queues of voters were seen outside several booths in the morning.Khunti district registered the highest voter turnout at 34.12 per cent, followed by 33.86 per cent in Gumla, 33.44 per cent in Lohardaga and 33.18 per cent in Simdega.Serailkeala-Kharsawan recorded 32.65 per cent voting, followed by 31.10 per cent in Koderma, 30.59 per cent in Latehar and 30.38 per cent in Garhwa.Hazaribag registered 29.60 per cent polling, Chatra 29.52 per cent, West Singhbhum 29.42 per cent, Palamu 29.36 per cent and East Sinbhum 28.34 per cent.Of the remaining districts, Ranchi recorded 24.75 per cent voter turnout, the second lowest poll percentage, while neighbouring Ramgarh saw the lowest turnout of 24.17 per cent till 11 AM. "While the JMM-led coalition is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, including Maiyan Samman Yojna, the BJP has been campaigning with its aggressive Hindutva agenda, infiltration and alleged corruption by the current dispensation.Top BJP leaders, including PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP chief JP Nadda held several rallies where they attacked the JMM-led coalition over alleged corruption and infiltration.INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress' Rahul Gandhi, its president Mallikarjun Kharge, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife and legislator Kalpana Soren highlighted welfare schemes and accused the BJP-led Centre of unleashing all the central agencies, including ED, CBI and I-T, against opposition leaders.In all, 1.37 crore voters are eligible to participate in the first phase of voting.A total of 683 candidates, including 73 women, and one third-gender candidate, are competing for 43 seats.