As many as 260 candidates — 231 men and 29 women — are in fray for the second phase of elections in 20 Assembly constituencies slated on December 7 here, a press communiqué from the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office said on Wednesday. Among the 20 constituencies, maximum women candidates are contesting from Potka, Chaibasa and Manoharpur, it added. The each of the three constituencies has three women candidates.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi-led Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) are the only two parties that have fielded candidates in all the 20 constituencies. While Indian National Congress has fielded candidates in six constituencies, its ally Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has nominated candidates in the remaining 14 seats. With four women candidates, JVM-P has given the highest share of seats to women in the second phase of elections here.
CEO Vinay Kumar Choubey on Wednesday said that a prohibition on liquor sale will be imposed in East Singhbhum, Saraikela Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla and Simdega districts from 3 pm on December 5 till the conclusion of voting in all the 20 constituencies. “The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed that the districts going to polls, and adjoining districts, will have dry days at least 48 hours prior to the voting. The directions will be religiously followed here,” said Choubey, adding that the concerned Deputy Commissioners have been asked to ensure that the liquor shops and bars remain closed during the stipulated period. Choubey said that ECI’s Booth App will be used in Jamshedpur East, Jamshedpur West and Chaibasa during the second phase of polls to facilitated real-time monitoring of voting trends. The Booth App will be used in only 10 of 81 Assembly constituencies in Jharkhand during this election, he added.
Through the Booth App, voters will be able to get real-time status of their polling booth and time their visit accordingly in order to avoid waiting in queue. The BLOs will also be able to use the App and know the real-time status of voter turnout in a particular polling station. The App was used in pilot projects during the Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Haryana elections.
The ongoing five-phase Assembly elections in Jharkhand began on November 30 and will conclude on December 20. The final counting will be done on December 23. Maximum number of constituencies will go to polls in the second phase of elections on December 7.