UditVani, Jamshedpur : The high-stakes Ghatshila Assembly by-election recorded an impressive 73.88% voter turnout by 5 pm, reflecting strong public engagement despite intermittent queues and heavy security arrangements across the constituency.
According to the District Election Officer’s media cell, polling remained largely peaceful throughout the day, with voters turning up in significant numbers from morning.
Special arrangements such as wheelchair support, drinking water facilities, and women-friendly booths were kept in place to ensure smooth voting.
Security forces, including state police and central paramilitary units, were deployed across all sensitive and hyper-sensitive booths to prevent any untoward incidents.
Flying squads and static surveillance teams kept constant vigil to enforce the Model Code of Conduct.
Champai Soren Lodges Complaint with Election Commission
In a political escalation, former Chief Minister Champai Soren submitted a formal complaint to the Election Commission alleging serious violations by senior leaders of the ruling dispensation.
He accused minister Deepak Birua and several other political figures of influencing voters and misusing official machinery to tilt the poll atmosphere.
Soren demanded strict action and immediate intervention to ensure a free and fair electoral process.
Party representatives accompanying him claimed that multiple reports of intimidation and unauthorised visits to booths were forwarded to the poll authorities.
Background of the By-Poll
The Ghatshila by-election was necessitated due the death of the then MLA-cum – minister Ramdas Soren, earlier this year.
The seat holds strategic political importance for both the ruling alliance and the opposition.
Key political contenders have been campaigning intensely, focusing on issues such as tribal rights, unemployment, land protection, welfare schemes, and local infrastructure development.
Counting and Next Steps
Polling teams have begun sealing EVMs and transferring them to the designated strong room under multi-layer security.
Counting of votes is scheduled as per the Election Commission’s notified timeline on November 14, with results expected to significantly influence the political equation in Kolhan and Jharkhand.
