The outcome will decide the fate of 683 candidates vying for legislative seats, including 17 general seats, 20 reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and six for Scheduled Castes.

Ranchi: Defying threats and boycott calls from Maoist factions, voters in Jharkhand's Left Wing Extremism-affected areas turned out in remarkable numbers on Wednesday, showcasing a commitment to democracy despite the region’s volatility.

All Indian citizens possess the right to vote without regard to their caste, religion, race, gender, or ethnicity.

In the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, voter turnout hit 64.86%, slightly above the 63.9% recorded in 2019. With the ruling JMM-led INDIA alliance and BJP-led NDA vying for power, this election could significantly reshape the state's political landscape.

Among the constituencies participating in today's voting, Khunti reported the highest turnout at 34.1%, while East Singhbhum recorded the lowest at 28.3%

Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni casts his vote at a polling booth in Ranchi to cast his vote for the Jharkhand assembly elections. Watch here. Jharkhand election 2024 live updates: Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni,