In Jharkhand, polling for the by-election in Ghatshila Assembly constituency is underway amidst tight security. According to the Election Commission of India, 17.33 voting percentage has been reported till 9 this morning.

Polling began from morning 7 am at 300 polling booths in the constituency and will continue till 5 this evening. A total of more than 2 lakh 55 thousand voters will cast their votes for the bye-election conducted for Ghatshila Assembly constituency. The voter turnout in rural booths can be seen in large numbers as compared to the urban centers.

The bye-election was necessitated following the death of Education Minister and JMM MLA Ramdas Soren. The bye-election witnesses a close fight between Ramdas’s son Somesh Soren from JMM and former Chief Minister Champai Soren’s son Babulal Soren from NDA. A total of 13 candidates are in the fray for the assembly seat.