MS Dhoni appointed brand ambassador for Jharkhand elections

Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been appointed as the official brand ambassador for Jharkhand’s upcoming assembly elections. Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar confirmed Dhoni's role, noting that the cricket icon has given formal consent for the Election Commission to use his image. Dhoni’s inclusion aims to drive voter awareness, particularly among younger and first-time voters, under the SWEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) program.

Kumar announced at a press conference in Ranchi on Friday that Dhoni will be involved in promoting election participation throughout Jharkhand. The Election Commission expects his popularity to help improve voter turnout and ensure a successful election process. Kumar added that Dhoni’s role will be focused on voter mobilization efforts across the state’s diverse constituencies.

Jharkhand’s 2024 assembly elections will be held in two phases, covering all 81 seats in the state’s legislative assembly. The first phase, scheduled for November 13, will involve 43 constituencies. The filing of nominations for the first phase concluded on Friday, with several prominent figures submitting their candidacies. Election results will be declared on November 23, following the second phase on November 20.

Former Chief Minister Champai Soren filed his nomination as a BJP candidate from the Saraikela constituency. During his nomination filing, Soren stated that the BJP will compete strongly against Congress and its alliance partners in Jharkhand. Meanwhile, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) party president and former Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahto also filed his nomination for the Silli assembly seat on Friday.

Major political parties have released their candidate lists ahead of the elections. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announced its first list of 35 candidates on October 23, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren confirmed to contest from Barhait. The BJP released its own candidate list on October 19, naming 66 candidates as part of an alliance with AJSU, Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). The coalition has divided seat contests among BJP (68 seats), AJSU (10 seats), JD-U (2 seats), and LJP (1 seat).