The stage is set for the counting of votes in the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections, marking the culmination of a heated electoral battle. The process begins at 8am today with the counting of postal ballots, with initial trends expected by 9am. These elections could decide whether the BJP-led NDA can wrest power from the JMM-led INDIA bloc or whether the ruling coalition retains power.

Voter turnout this year was a record 67.74%, the highest since the formation of the state in 2000. Elaborate arrangements were made at all counting centers with observers deployed for each assembly constituency. “They are preparing for the day of counting on November 23. Each table will be manned by an ARO to ensure proper counting of postal ballots,” an Election Commission official said. “The entire process will be conducted in a transparent manner, under the full glare of the media and the candidates or their agents.”

Fierce battle between key alliances

The elections, held in two phases on November 13 and 20, saw a strong turnout in the state’s 81 constituencies. In the first phase, 43 places were contested, followed by 38 in the second phase. The contest has been acrimonious, with the NDA targeting issues of corruption and governance under the JMM-led alliance and the INDIA bloc highlighting welfare schemes and accusing the BJP-led Center of political vendetta.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who contested from Barhait, is facing challenges not only from the BJP but also from allegations of corruption and governance lapses. “The opposition party spent more than 500 million lei in malicious campaigns against me,” Soren claimed during the campaign. His wife Kalpana Soren also contested from Gandey. Other key candidates include BJP leader of opposition Amar Kumar Bauri from Chandankiyari and Congress’s Deepika Pandey Singh from Mahagama.

Prominent Leaders and High Stakes Races

The polls also saw the participation of political heavyweights like BJP’s Babulal Marandi in Dhanwar and President Rabindra Nath Mahato (JMM) in Nala. AJSU Party Chief Sudesh Mahto contested from Silli while former Chief Minister Champai Soren contested from Seraikela.

Prominent leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren participated in the campaign. BJP rallies have been heavily critical of the ruling coalition, focusing on corruption and alleged infiltration. “Ek rahenge toh safe rahenge (if we stay united, we will be safe)” was a key slogan for the NDA as INDIA bloc leaders highlighted promises of inclusive development and welfare programmes.

Reserved seats and changing dynamics

Of the 81 assembly seats, 28 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and nine for Scheduled Castes (SCs). In the 2019 elections, the JMM won 19 ST seats, while the BJP secured two. In SC seats, BJP won six with JMM and RJD taking two and one seat respectively. This year, the NDA has fielded candidates in 68 seats, while allies AJSU Party, JD(U) and LJP(RV) are contesting 10, two and one seat each. On the INDIA block side, JMM fielded candidates in 43 seats, Congress in 30, RJD in six and CPI(ML) in four.

What to expect

The state’s political landscape hangs in the balance, with exit polls predicting a close race. According to CNN-News18 poll, NDA is expected to win around 40 seats while INDIA bloc will get 37. Others are expected to win four seats.

Security has been beefed up at counting centres, with strong rooms fortified with surveillance and security personnel. “Observers have been appointed for each constituency and candidates or their agents are encouraged to follow the process closely,” added an Election Commission official.

The results will not only shape the future of Jharkhand’s governance, but also reflect broader political trends as India heads towards the 2024 general elections. Stay tuned for live updates as votes are counted and winners are declared.

With inputs from PTI