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An estimated 64.12 per cent votes were cast when voting ended at 3 pm on Saturday, 30 November, in the first of the five-phase Jharkhand assembly elections in 13 constituencies, amid sporadic incidents of violence, officials said.
Naxals blow up a bridge in Bishnupur in Gumla district, where voting was underway.
The fate of 189 candidates, including 15 women nominees, will be decided in the first phase of the polling in Chatra, Gumla, Bishunpur, Lohardaga, Manika, Latehar, Panki, Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Chhatarpur, Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur.
The BJP is seeking a second straight win under the leadership of Chief Minister Raghubar Das
Challenging the BJP is the Opposition alliance of the JMM, Congress and RJD
The five-phase Assembly polls concludes on 20 December
Results will be declared on 23 December
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The BJP, which is seeking a second straight win under the leadership of Chief Minister Raghubar Das, is contesting in 12 seats in the first phase while it is supporting Independent candidate Vinod Singh from Hussainabad.
The AJSU party is contesting on its own.
Challenging the BJP is the opposition alliance of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
Key candidates in the fray are Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee and state Health Minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi from Bishrampur and state Congress president Rameshwar Oraon from Lohardaga seat.
Oraon is taking on the former state Congress chief Sukhdeo Bhagat after the latter joined the BJP recently.
Former BJP chief whip Radhakrishna Kishore, who was denied ticket from Chhatarpur, is contesting on an All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) party ticket from the same seat.
BJP leader and Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das urged the public to turn out in large numbers to cast their ballot.
"Your one vote is important for the development of the state," said the CM Raghubar Das said.
Naxals blow up a bridge in Bishnupur in Gumla district, where voting is underway in the first phase of voting for assembly polls. No injuries reported, said officials speaking to ANI.
Gumla Deputy Commissioner Shashi Ranjan asserted that voting was not affected due to the incident.
Around 27.41% voter turnout recorded till 11 am on Saturday, 30 November, in the first of the five-phase elections that began in 13 Jharkhand assembly constituencies.
Around 48.8% percent polling was recorded till 1:00 pm on Saturday, 30 November, in the first of the five-phase elections that began in 13 Jharkhand assembly constituencies.
An estimated 62.87 per cent votes were cast when voting ended at 3 pm on Saturday in the first of the five-phase Jharkhand assembly elections in 13 constituencies, amid sporadic incidents of violence, officials said.
The percentage is likely to increase as voters who entered the polling stations by 3 pm will be allowed to exercise their franchise, they said.