Mail News Service
Ranchi, Feb 23: Voter apathy marked the urban local body elections across Jharkhand on Monday, with the state capital registering the lowest turnout among major municipal corporations.
According to the State Election Commission, polling concluded at 5 PM with an overall voter turnout of 61.24 percent across all 48 urban local bodies in the state.
The most striking figure came from the Ranchi Municipal Corporation, which recorded a mere 43.28 percent turnout — the lowest among the nine municipal corporation areas.
In contrast, the Seraikela Nagar Panchayat emerged as the highest performer, with an impressive 75.35 percent of voters exercising their franchise.
Among other municipal corporations, turnout figures stood at 49.95 percent in Hazaribagh Municipal Corporation, 57.41 percent in Medininagar Municipal Corporation, 48 percent in Dhanbad Municipal Corporation, 60 percent in Giridih Municipal Corporation, 52.92 percent in Deoghar Municipal Corporation, 49.76 percent in Chas Municipal Corporation, 54.96 percent in Adityapur Municipal Corporation, and 50.70 percent in Mango Municipal Corporation.
VIP Booth Sees Poor Response
Low enthusiasm was particularly evident at some of Ranchi’s prominent polling centres. The ATI Building, considered one of the city’s most high-profile polling stations due to the presence of voters from top administrative and gubernatorial ranks, recorded shockingly low participation. At Booth No. 01, only 132 out of 996 registered voters cast their ballots. Similarly, Booth No. 02 saw just 141 votes polled out of 755 registered voters — keeping turnout below 20 percent at the venue.
Election officials stationed at the centre admitted that the low participation was concerning, especially given the stature of the electorate listed there.
Voter List Errors Add to Chaos
Several voters across urban areas reported difficulties due to discrepancies in the voter list. Many were seen moving from one polling station to another in search of their names.
In some cases, members of the same family were assigned to different wards and polling booths, creating logistical challenges and discouraging participation.
The confusion over polling station locations, coupled with administrative lapses in voter list management, appeared to dampen public enthusiasm. Additionally, a section of high-profile and urban voters reportedly left the city over the extended weekend, taking advantage of consecutive holidays.
A considerable number of registered voters are also currently lemployed in other cities or abroad, though their names remain on local electoral rolls.
Despite a moderate overall turnout statewide, the figures from Ranchi once again highlight a pattern of civic disengagement in the state’s urban centres — raising fresh concerns over voter participation in city governance and grassroots democracy.
CM, Guv cast votes
Ranchi: Prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, exercised their franchise during the ongoing municipal elections in Ranchi, calling on citizens to participate enthusiastically in the democratic process.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren, accompanied by his wife and Gandey MLA Kalpana Soren, cast his vote at Sant Kuldeep School polling station. Their arrival drew large crowds, with many people eager to greet them and take photographs, particularly with Kalpana Soren. Despite the attention, the Chief Minister and his wife stood in queue like other voters before casting their ballots.
After voting, Hemant Soren displayed his inked finger and appealed to residents—especially youth and women—to turn out in large numbers.
Meanwhile, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar cast his vote at the ATI building in Ranchi, describing the civic polls as a “festival of democracy.” Addressing the media, he urged all eligible voters to participate without fail, emphasizing that while the choice of candidate rests with individuals, voting in local body elections is a shared civic duty.
Highlighting the importance of grassroots governance, the Governor called on citizens to elect representatives dedicated to the development and welfare of their localities and the state, and encouraged robust participation to strengthen democratic institutions at the local level.
