Women to Operate 519 Polling Booths in Jharkhand Phase IV LS Elections

By: WE Staff | Monday, 13 May 2024

On Monday, May 13, 2024, four Lok Sabha seats—Khunti, Palamu, Singhbhum, and Palamu—will be up for votes in the approaching Jharkhand Phase IV elections. Of the 7,595 voting locations, 519 will be run entirely by women, and 14 will be run by people with disabilities. The remaining three seats have been reserved for STs, while Palamu is only accessible to SCs. While INDIA bloc candidates are focusing on local tribal and Dalit problems, the BJP is highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development initiatives.

JMM MLA, Bishunpur, Chamra Linda has contested independently from Lohardaga creating a triangular fight between BJP and INDIA bloc for the candidate selection addressing drinking water, labor migration, and healthcare issues in the region. However, in Singbhum, Khunti, and Palamu, the BJP and INDIA bloc parties are in direct contest. BJP candidate Vishnu Dayal Ram faces RJD candidate Mamta Bhiyan in Palamu for the third term. The region is facing famine-like conditions, with 80% of the population relying on free rations. RJD candidate Mamta Bhuiyan focuses on the water crisis and migration issues concerning employment.

Two women candidates are contesting for the Singhbhum Lok Sabha seat, with Geeta Koda running as an NDA candidate and Joba Manjhi as an INDIA bloc MLA. Geeta Koda is focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development works, while Joba Manjhi is mobilizing people on tribal respect and the arrest of former Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The constituency is primarily dominated by the Ho community, with Geeta Koda aiming to mobilize people on tribal sentiments.