Jharkhand Assembly polls 2019: 3rd phase of voting begins; over 56,000 voters to decide fate of 309 candidates

Jharkhand Assembly polls: Urging all those whose seats go to the polls today to vote in large numbers; I particularly urge my young friends to vote, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Jharkhand Assembly elections: The third phase voting for 17 Assembly constituencies in Jharkhand started at 7 AM on Thursday. The Election Commission of India (ECI) and state authorities have made tight security arrangements at all sensitive polling stations. In critical areas, including Kodarma, Barhi, Barkagaon, Mandu, Hazaribag, Simaria (SC), Dhanwar, Gomia, Bermo, Ichagarh, Silli, and Khijri (ST), polling will take place till 3 am only. Voting at Ranchi, Hatia, Kanke, Barkatha and Ramgarh seats will end at 5 pm. Over 56 lakh voters will exercise their franchise in this phase of elections to choose the fate of 309 candidates, including 32 women nominees. “A total of 56,18,267 voters are eligible to cast votes in the 17 constituencies across eight districts. The voters include a total of 26,80,205 women and 86 third gender voters,” Vinay Kumar Choubey, the Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand, said. The Assembly elections to the 81-member Jharkhand House began on November 30 and will culminate on December 20 as two more phases of voting are yet to take place.

Check out all the latest updates on Jharkhand Assembly polls 2019 on BusinessToday.In live blog.

9.15 AM: Former Union Minister and BJP MP Jayant Sinha at a polling booth in Hazaribagh to cast his vote. Polling is underway in 17 constituencies in the state for the third phase of elections.

Former Union Minister & BJP MP Jayant Sinha at a polling booth in Hazaribagh to cast his vote. Polling is underway in 17 constituencies in the state for the third phase of elections.

8.51 AM: People queue up to cast their votes at a polling station in Bokaro.

People queue up to cast their votes at a polling station in Bokaro during the third phase of voting for assembly elections.

8.30 AM: Polling going on at St Anne’s School in Ranchi.

A woman after casting her vote at a polling booth in St. Anne’s School in Ranchi

8.00 AM: Urging all those whose seats go to the polls today to vote in large numbers; I particularly urge my young friends to vote, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

7.15 AM: Voting underway at polling booth number 82 in Chatra. Polling in 17 constituencies in the state for the third phase of elections being held today.

Voting underway at polling booth number 82 in Chatra. Polling in 17 constituencies in the state for the third phase of elections being held today