India elections: 64% turnout recorded as NDA, INDIA bloc clash in Jharkhand, assembly bypolls

It was a major election day in India, with by-polls held on 31 assembly seats across 10 states and elections held on 43 seats of the 81-member state legislative assembly in Jharkhand on Wednesday (Nov 13). Here is a round-up of all poll-related developments from across India.

The polling on 43 assembly seats of Jharkhand began Wednesday morning, with turnout recorded at 64 per cent until 5:00 pm (IST). Of all assembly seats, Khunti district recorded the highest turnout till 11:00 am at 34.12 per cent, followed by 33.86 per cent in Gumla, 33.44 per cent in Lohardaga and 33.18 per cent in Simdega.

The 43 seats include 17 general seats, 20 reserved seats for Scheduled Tribes and six seats for Scheduled Castes.

On Wednesday, phase 1 of the polls was being held, with the second phase slated to be held on November 20.

In Jharkhand, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is contesting against the national ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). On the other hand, JMM is part of the national opposition INDIA bloc, led by the Congress party. BJP’s allies in the state include All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) and Janata Dal (United) whereas INDIA bloc allies include JMM, Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Left parties.

Along with phase 1 of Jharkhand assembly polls, elections were underway across 31 seats in 10 Indian states, including seven seats in Rajasthan, six in West Bengal, five in Assam, four in Bihar, three in Karnataka, two in Madhya Pradesh, and one each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, and Meghalaya.

In West Bengal, over 45 per cent turnout was recorded till 1:00 pm. Scattered events of violence were reported from the state, with one member of the ruling TMC party getting killed in a bomb attack in Bhatpara.

By-poll was also underway in the high-profile Lok Sabha seat of Wayanad, where Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her electoral debut.

The bypoll is being held after the seat was vacated by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he retained the Raebareli seat in Uttar Pradesh.

Priyanka is competing against 15 candidates, including Sathyan Mokeri of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Navya Haridas of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Polling in Wayanad crossed 50.63 per cent by 3:00 pm IST.

Results for all seats will be declared on November 23.

(With inputs from agencies)