Jharkhand Municipal Elections: Governor, MPs and Ministers Vote, Appeal for Active Public Participation

Ranchi: Polling continued across 48 urban local bodies in Jharkhand on Monday, with several prominent leaders, including the Governor, Members of Parliament and state ministers, casting their votes and urging citizens to actively take part in the democratic exercise.

Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar voted at a polling station located on the Administrative Training Institute campus in Ranchi. Addressing the media, he said that local body elections play a crucial role in grassroots development and called upon voters to choose representatives dedicated to the progress of their regions and the state. He emphasised that while voters are free to choose their candidates, participating in elections is a fundamental civic duty.

Godda MP Nishikant Dubey cast his vote along with his family in the Deoghar Municipal Corporation area. Sharing his experience on social media, he encouraged people to vote. He also expressed concern over the use of ballot papers, suggesting that in the digital era, such a system could slow development, while expressing confidence in BJP-backed candidates.

Hazaribagh MP Manish Jaiswal also voted, describing the municipal polls as vital for development, cleanliness and transparency, and appealed to voters with the slogan “First vote, then refreshment.”

State ministers Sudivya Kumar and Shilpi Neha Tirkey cast their votes in Giridih and at Sant Ajay Middle School in Dahisot Banhora respectively. They stressed that voting is both a right and a responsibility, especially urging youth participation, and called for educated and visionary leadership in urban bodies.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Defence and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth alleged mismanagement in the conduct of elections, claiming that the use of a single ballot box for multiple posts raised doubts. He arrived at the polling station on a motorcycle and stood in queue like an ordinary voter.

Polling began at 7 a.m. under tight security and will continue till 5 p.m., with enthusiastic turnout seen across 4,304 polling stations. Counting of votes will take place on February 27.

With inputs from IANS