Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 13 (HBTV): A voter turnout of 13.04 percent was recorded till 9 am in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly Elections, as per the Election Commission of India.

Voting for the first phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections began on Wednesday morning, with voting taking place in 43 out of the state's 81 seats.

According to data shared by the ECI, as of 9 am, Simdega district was leading with a 15.09 percent turnout, followed by Lohardaga and Koderma with 14.97 percent each. The voter turnout for Seraikella-Kharsawan was 14.62 percent, Ramgarh and Khunti recorded 14.37 percent, Gumla 13.93 percent, West Singhbhum and Latehar 13.80 percent, Garhwa 13.41 percent, and Hazaribagh 13.20 percent.

According to the ECI, the state's capital city Ranchi recorded a turnout of 12.06 percent, while Palamu district recorded 11.84 percent. The lowest voter turnout of 11.25 percent was recorded in East Singhbhum district.

As polling is underway, Jharkhand Police is using drones for surveillance in Ranchi.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Annapurna Devi cast her vote at a polling station in Koderma and urged everyone to participate in the "great festival of democracy" by casting their votes.

"Today is the great festival of democracy. Voting is being held for 43 seats in Jharkhand. We request and appeal to everyone to participate enthusiastically in this great festival of democracy and cast their vote," she said.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh also cast his vote in Ranchi and said, "Voting is the strength of a democracy. Through elections, we choose our representatives who later work for the welfare of society and the country. We should work to achieve the dreams for which Jharkhand was formed. We are far from achieving that dream."

Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also cast his vote in the first phase of the State Assembly polls and appealed to the people of the state to use their vote "wisely" and come out in large numbers.

Polling for Jharkhand's first phase began at around 7:00 am, with voters across 43 constituencies in 15 districts casting their ballots. The results will determine the fate of 683 candidates, including 73 women.

Voting also began this morning in the by-elections for 31 assembly seats across 10 states, including the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for polling, which will continue until 5.00 pm. It will end at 4.00 pm at 950 sensitive booths across 31 constituencies. Over 200 companies of security forces have been deployed at strategic locations to maintain order and safeguard the electoral process.

The BJP-led NDA is aiming to unseat the JMM-led coalition, with key candidates such as former Chief Minister Champai Soren and Congress leader Ajoy Kumar in the fray.

Key candidates in the first phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections include former Chief Minister Champai Soren (BJP) in Seraikela and Ajoy Kumar (Congress) in Jamshedpur East, where he is facing Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das. In Jagannathpur, BJP's Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, is contesting against Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has nominated sitting Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji from Ranchi.

Counting of votes is scheduled for November 23. (ANI)