Jharkhand Election 2024: The first hour of counting of the EVM votes is over with the initial trends indicating BJP-led NDA and the JMM-led INDIA bloc are locked in a neck-and-neck fight. The fight has been a see-saw since the first few rounds of counting of postal ballots.


AT 9:30 AM, the INDIA bloc led on 35 seats, while the BJP-led NDA was ahead in 39 constituencies. Other smaller parties and independents led on 6 seats.


The major upset in Jharkhand seemed to be in the Seraikella constituency where JMM turncoat in the BJP Champai Soren, who is also a former CM, trailled in his Seraikella bastion.


Another major upset was in the Jamtara constituency where Congress's Irfan Ansari seemed to be staring at a defeat against another JMM turncoat in the BJP Sita Soren. This is Sita Soren's first electoral fight without the support of the Soren family and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.


Hemant Soren was ahead in Barhait, while his wife Kalpana Soren was leading in her current seat of Gandey. 


Polling And Voter Turnout  


The Jharkhand assembly elections concluded in two phases, recording higher voter participation compared to 2019.  


- First Phase (November 13): Voting was held for 43 seats, with a turnout of over 66% from 1.37 crore eligible voters.  


- Second Phase (November 20):  Voting was conducted for the remaining 38 seats, with a 68% turnout from 1.23 crore voters.  


  The combined voter turnout stood at 67.71%, surpassing the 63.9% recorded in the 2019 assembly elections.  
  - Highest turnout: 76.16% in Jamtara district.  
  - Lowest turnout: 60.97% in Bokaro district.  


NDA Vs INDIA Bloc


In the 2019 elections, the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance secured a majority with 47 seats, while the BJP’s tally fell from 37 in 2014 to 25 seats. The JMM emerged as the single largest party, winning 30 seats. 


BJP-Led NDA:  
- The BJP contested 68 seats.  
- Allies: AJSU Party (10 seats), JDU (2 seats), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (1 seat).  


INDIA Bloc:  
- JMM: 43 seats  
- Congress: 30 seats.  
- RJD: 6 seats
- CPI(ML): 4 seats, with some constituencies witnessing friendly fights.