An Election Commission of India (ECI) team led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reached Ranchi on a two-day visit to State to review preparations for upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand. The team, also comprising Election Commissioners – Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, later in the day met representatives of political parties in Ranchi. 

The Commission first held Meetings with national and state level recognized parties for their feedback and suggestions. During the meeting, the Chief Election Commissioner appealed to all political parties for cooperation in conducting the upcoming assembly elections in a free and fair manner.

After meeting with political parties, the Commission held a meeting with the various central and state enforcement agencies like Income Tax Department, Excise Department, GST, Reserve Bank, Forest, Transport, Civil Aviation, Narcotics etc. and reviewed their action plans. Clear instructions were given by the commission to ensure an inducement free elections.

Subsequently, the Commission reviewed preparations with Chief Electoral Officer of the state K Ravi Kumar and State Police Nodal Officer A.V. Homkar and the nodal officer of CAPF. The officers presented their respective action plans and the Commission gave necessary directions to the officials for a smooth and peaceful conduct of forthcoming assembly elections in the state.

In the series of review meetings held throughout the day today, the Commission, in evening, held a meeting with the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, L. Khiangte and Director General of Police, Anurag Gupta.

The Chief Electoral Officer's office informed that tomorrow i.e. on Tuesday, a review will be done with the Commissioners of all divisions, Zonal IGs, District Election Officers of all districts, all DIGs, all Superintendents of Police

Senior DECs, DECs and other Officials of the Commission were present during the review meetings.

Jharkhand Assembly elections Assembly elections in Jharkhand are scheduled to be held later this year.

In 2019, elections for the 81 assembly seats were conducted in five phases from November 30 to December 20 and the results were announced on December 23. 

According to the Election Commission sources, this time, the polls are likely to take place in two to three phases. Currently, the state is governed by a coalition led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), with Congress and RJD as key partners. 

In the 2019 elections, the JMM won 30 seats, the BJP secured 25, Congress got 16, and other parties shared the remaining 10 seats. The majority mark for the 81-seat assembly is 41 seats.