Over 31 per cent of around 1.23 crore voters exercised their franchise till 11 AM on Wednesday in 38 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where voting is underway in the second and final phase, officials said.

Polling began at 7 AM in 14,218 booths across 12 districts and will continue till 5 PM.

However, polling in 31 booths will end at 4 PM though people standing in the queue at that time will be able to exercise their franchise, the officials said.

The ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, while the BJP-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to wrest it.

"A voter turnout of 31.37 per cent was recorded in the first four hours of polling. Voting has been peaceful," an Election Commission official said.

The highest voting turnout of 35.15 per cent was recorded from Pakur, followed by 34.75 per cent in Ranchi, 33.78 per cent in Jamtara and 33.45 per cent in Ramgarh district.

In the first four hours of polling, Godda recorded a turnout of 33.39 per cent, Dumka 33.05 per cent, Deoghar 32.84 per cent, Giridih 31.56 per cent, Hazaribag 31.04 per cent Sahebganj 30.90 per cent and Dhanbad 28.02 per cent.

The lowest turnout was reported from Bokaro at 27.72 per cent till 11 AM.

A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, are eligible to exercise their franchise on Wednesday, another official said.

Altogether 528 candidates, including Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri of the BJP, are trying their luck in the second phase of the elections.

Taking to X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Today is the second and last phase of the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand. I urge all voters to participate in it enthusiastically and create a new record of voting. On this occasion, I especially congratulate all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time. Your every vote is the strength of the state." The CM also said the second phase of polling would "play an important role in the creation of golden Jharkhand".

"To save Jharkhand from breaking up, we have to unite and vote in large numbers. Today again, voters have to exercise their franchise with the same enthusiasm and zeal," he wrote on X.

"Today the second and final phase of the great festival of democracy is being organised in Jharkhand. Today voting is being held in 38 assembly seats...In the first phase of voting, people of 43 assembly constituencies exercised their franchise with enthusiasm. All sections voted for their rights and a strong Jharkhand. Those who were conspiring against Jharkhand were given a befitting reply," Soren said on the microblogging site.

Urging people to vote, he said, "On this important occasion, an appeal is made to all of you to reach your booth centres in large numbers and exercise your right to vote and inspire everyone else too. Many best wishes and greetings to all the voters, polling officials, and soldiers of the JMM and INDIA alliance who are participating in the voting today." Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi also urged voters to come out for a better future.

Rahul Gandhi posted on X: "I appeal to my voter brothers and sisters of Jharkhand to vote in large numbers today to protect their interests and for a better future. Your every vote for INDIA will protect your water, forest and land and will make your life prosperous with 7 guarantees like Maiyan Samman Yojana." Priyanka Gandhi also urged electors to make INDIA bloc candidates victorious.

"Dear brothers and sisters of Jharkhand, Vote in maximum numbers for yourself, for the strong future of your children, for protection of 'Jal, Jungle, Jameen', for democracy, constitution and social justice and for the better future of Jharkhand. Use your power given by the Constitution to elect a government that works only for you and takes you forward. Make INDIA victorious with a huge majority," she said on the microblogging site.

Eighteen of the 38 constituencies are in the Santhal Pargana region comprising six districts - Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj and Pakur.

The remaining 18 seats are in the North Chotanagpur division and two in South Chotanagpur.

Of the total 14,218 polling stations, the responsibility of the entire voting process at 239 is in the hands of women and 22 are manned by persons with disabilities (PwDs), Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar said.

The ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, while the BJP-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to wrest it.

The first phase of elections was held on November 13, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.

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