Polling has begun for the first phase of Assembly Elections in Jharkhand amidst tight security arrangements. Voting is being held in Forty-three constituencies spread over 15 districts today. It will conclude at 5 in the evening except at 950 sensitive booths in 31 constituencies, where polling will be concluded by 4 pm. Over one crore 37 lakh electorates will decide political fortune of 683 candidates including 73 women. Former Chief Minister Champai Soren of BJP from Saraikela, Rajya Sabha MP and JMN candidate Mahua Maji from Ranchi, Rameshwar Orao of Congress  from Lohardaga, Saryu Rai of Janta Dal (United) from Jamshedpur (West) and Hare Lal Mahto of AJSU from Ichagarh are among important candidates whose fate will be sealed in EVMs today. The Chief Electoral Officer K.Ravi Kumar has appealed to the electorates to cast their vote fearlessly.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polls. Two hundred companies of central para military forces have been deployed across the the state.

Inter- district borders have been sealed. A joint operation has been launched in the bordering areas of UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to check the activities of naxals. Helicopters have also been pressed into service to meet any eventuality.