Jharkhand Elections: Filing of Nomination for 43 Seats of Phase 1 Begins

Ranchi: Filing of nomination papers for 43 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand , set to vote on November 13 in phase-1, began on Friday, an election official said.

The nomination process will continue until October 25, with submissions accepted from 11 am to 3 pm.

The elections will take place in two phases, on November 13 and November 20, with counting scheduled for November 23.

"Nomination process for 43 assembly constituencies going to polls on November 13 began today at 11 am. Candidates can file nominations till 3 pm," the official added.

Only five persons, including the candidate, can enter the Returning Officer's chamber to file nominations. The security deposit for general candidates is set at Rs 10,000, while SC/ST candidates must deposit Rs 5,000. Each candidate can spend a maximum of Rs 40 lakh.

About 2.60 crore electors, including 11.84 lakh first-time voters and 1.13 lakh persons with disabilities, third-gender individuals, and senior citizens over 85, are expected to vote, compared to 2.23 crore in the 2019 assembly elections.

Scrutiny of nominations will take place on October 28 and the last date for withdrawal of nomination is October 30.

The constituencies going to polls under the general category on November 13 are Kodarma, Barkatha, Barhi, Barkagaon, Hazaribagh, Baharagora, Jamshedpur East, Jamshedpur West, Ichagarh, Ranchi, Hatia, Panki, Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur.

The ST seats are Ghatsila, Potka, Seraikella, Chaibasa, Majhgaon, Jaganathpur, Manoharpur, Chakradharpur, Kharsawan, Tamar, Torpa, Khunti, Mandar, Sisai, Gumla, Bishunpur, Simdega, Kolebira, Lohardaga and Manika.

In addition, SC constituencies – Simaria, Chatra, Jugsalai, Kanke, Latehar and Chhatarpur – are also scheduled to go to polls on the day.

Candidates with criminal records must disclose this information in newspapers and on television three times during the campaign. Political parties are similarly required to publicise the criminal backgrounds of their nominees.