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. Voting is also underway in the by-elections for 31 assembly seats across 10 states, as well as the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala. The 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.

Ahead of the polling, mock voting was conducted at various polling stations in Jharkhand. Visuals showed long queues of voters, including women, waiting to cast their votes. 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 spread across 31 constituencies. Over 200 companies of security forces have been deployed at strategic locations to maintain order and safeguard the electoral process.