Polling in Singhbhum, Khunti, Lohardaga, Palamu on May 13

Women and Disabled Election Workers to Play Crucial Roles in Conducting Polls Across Four Parliamentary Seats

The stage is set for the first phase of elections in Jharkhand, scheduled to take place on May 13, encompassing the parliamentary constituencies of Singhbhum, Khunti, Lohardaga, and Palamu.

RANCHI – With all necessary arrangements in place, Jharkhand is gearing up for the first phase of elections across four key parliamentary seats: Singhbhum, Khunti, Lohardaga, and Palamu.

According to the Election Commission, women election workers have been entrusted with the responsibility of managing 519 polling booths, highlighting their pivotal role in the democratic process.

Additionally, 14 polling stations have been designated to be run entirely by disabled election workers, promoting inclusivity and equal participation.

All 7,595 polling centers in the first phase will be model polling centers, ensuring a streamlined and efficient voting experience for the electorate.

Khunti will witness the highest number of women-run polling booths, with the Election Commission establishing 122 such stations in Singhbhum, 210 in Khunti, 115 in Lohardaga, and 72 in Palamu.

The fate of 45 candidates vying for the four seats will be decided by approximately 64 lakh voters.

Notably, all four seats contested in Jharkhand are reserved, with Singhbhum, Khunti, and Lohardaga reserved for Scheduled Tribes and Palamu for Scheduled Castes.

State Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar revealed that the first phase of elections will utilize 9,874 VVPATs, 9,114 CUs, and 9,114 BUs to ensure a fair and transparent voting process.

Among the 639 polling stations set up across the four constituencies, 6,956 are located in rural areas, where voting will be conducted from 7 am to 5 pm.

To promote transparency, the estimated voting status for the first two hours will be released on the Voter Turnout App at 9:30 am, followed by updates every two hours until 7 pm.

Close-up poll data will be available on the app by midnight, with the final data, after scrutiny, accessible the following day by 12 midnight.

The first phase of elections in Jharkhand marks a significant step in the democratic process, with women and disabled election workers playing crucial roles in facilitating the exercise of the fundamental right to vote.

As the nation awaits the outcome, the Election Commission’s comprehensive preparations aim to ensure a smooth and inclusive voting experience for all citizens.