Voting for the first phase is underway in 43 out of 81 seats in Jharkhand. Wayanad, where Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi contests for bypolls, has recorded a voter turnout of 27.04% till 11 am.

Jharkhand Elections 2024 Live Updates: 683 candidates will be in the fray along with some big-time leaders including former Chief Minister Champai Soren and six existing cabinet ministers who are in Hemant Sorens administration.

A voter turnout of 29.31 per cent was recorded in the first four hours of polling on Wednesday in 43 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where voting is underway in the first phase, officials said.

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.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for polling, which will begin at 7 am and continue until 5 pm. Polling will end at 4 pm at 950 sensitive booths spread across 31 constituencies

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged people to vote to strengthen democracy and said they must think about forming a government that ensures the participation of all and not one that 'divides,

Voting is underway for 43 assembly seats in Jharkhand on Wednesday, with a total of 683 candidates trying their luck, including former CM Champai Soren and ex-MP Geeta Kora

Voting for 43 assembly seats in Jharkhand began on Wednesday, with the JMM-led coalition seeking to retain power and the BJP campaigning aggressively. Key contests include former CM Champai Soren facing a challenge from the JMM and BJP's Geeta Kora competing against Congress.