The air buzzes with electoral fervor in Jharkhand as voting unfolds across 48 urban local bodies today. Over 43 lakh citizens are set to shape their local leadership from 7 AM onwards, with polls closing at 5 PM sharp.
Non-partisan battles feature 6100 candidates vying via ballot papers at 4307 stations. Pink slips elect mayors and chairs in 9 corporations, 20 councils, 19 panchayats; white ones pick ward members. Amid 2445 sensitive and 896 critical booths, CCTV eyes every move, backed by male-female police teams.
Post-2018 hiatus fuels enthusiasm – serpentine queues snake through Ranchi streets pre-dawn. Past turnouts paint a patchwork: 61% in Giridih corporation, 72% in Koderma panchayat. Experts predict an uptick.
Inclusivity shines: Voter ID absentees vote with Aadhaar, PAN, pensions – name on list suffices. Wheelchairs ferry the differently-abled; water quenches long-waiting throats.
Ranchi’s mega-poll – 10L+ voters, 909 booths, ST mayor seat – exemplifies scale. Peaceful conduct is priority, promising a higher voter percentage. Eyes now on February 27 countdown for winners.