The filing of nominations ended today for the first phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand. Forty-three constituencies will go to polls in this phase on the 13th of November. Former Chief Minister Champai Soren filed a nomination from Saraikela while AJSU party Chief Sudesh Kumar Mahto filed a nomination from Silli.
Former minister Radhakrishna Kishore filed his nomination from the Chhatarpur assembly seat. Yogendra Prasad Mahto filed a nomination form for Gomia as a JMM candidate. Scrutiny of nominations will be done on the 28th of October, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until the 30th of October.
Meanwhile, in a major development former Indian cricket captain and one of the most popular celebs of Jharkhand, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been appointed as the state's brand ambassador for the Jharkhand assembly elections by the Election Commission (ECI). Dhoni will work to increase awareness among voters under the SWEEP (Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation) program during the upcoming elections in the state. He will be seen telling people to definitely vote.
Actually, the objective of the Election Commission is to make voters understand the importance of their voting rights and motivate more and more people to participate in the election process. Given Dhoni's appeal and popularity, the commission hopes that the enthusiasm will increase especially among the young voters of the state and they will vote in greater numbers.
Also, as per EC drive against malpractices during election, illegal materials and cash worth over 27 crore rupees have been seized from different parts of the state since the announcement of the assembly elections. Fourteen FIRs have been lodged for violations of the model code of conduct.
Chief Electoral Officer, Jharkhand, Ravi Kumar informed that 16 FIRs have been registered so far for violation of Model Code of Conduct. Out of these, 9 FIRs have been registered in Garhwa district. He informed that since the implementation of Model Code of Conduct in Jharkhand, illegal goods and cash worth more than 51.17 crores have been seized. He said, famous cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be a part of the Election Commission's awareness program Sweep in the assembly elections. He has given a letter to this effect to the Election Commission. The Election Commission will use his picture in the programs of Sweep. At the same time, his appeal to motivate voters to vote in maximum numbers will be used to increase the voting percentage.
He informed that he visited various assembly constituencies of Hazaribagh and Ramgarh on Friday and observed the activities of Sweep. During this, some errors were found in the Sweep program, which were directed to be resolved immediately. He informed that the nomination period for the first phase of elections ended on Friday. Scrutiny of nominations will be held on October 28. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 30.
