Jharkhand begins assembly elections with first phase voting on November 13

Voting for the first phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections is set for November 13, covering 43 of the 81 seats. About 1.37 crore voters are eligible, with 683 candidates contesting, including 609 men, 73 women, and one from the third gender. Polling will take place at 15,344 stations, with hours from 7 am to 5 pm, except at 950 stations closing at 4 pm. Special arrangements include 1,152 stations managed by women and 24 by disabled personnel. The political landscape is influenced by recent events, including the arrest of Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering case. The ruling JMM-led alliance currently holds 44 seats in the assembly, while the BJP and its allies aim to regain influence.