Election Commission's police observer inspects strong room security ahead of Jharkhand elections on Nov 13 and 20

The Election Commission's police observer, IPS Rahul Malik, inspected the security arrangements at the strong room located in Pandera, Ranchi, on Saturday. This facility will serve as the storage site for sensitive election materials, including ballot boxes and election equipment. Malik's inspection is part of the Commission's ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections, emphasizing the importance of secure storage and strict access control measures.

Accompanying IPS Malik during the inspection were several key police officials, including Ranchi's City Superintendent of Police (SP), Rajkumar Mehta, along with additional law enforcement personnel. The police observer provided specific directives aimed at bolstering security protocols, which include installing surveillance cameras, deploying additional security personnel, and implementing strict access guidelines for authorized personnel only. These measures are essential to prevent any unauthorized access to the strong room and ensure that election materials remain safe until they are needed for the voting process.

The assembly elections in Jharkhand are set to be held in two phases: the first phase on November 13 and the second phase on November 20. In the first phase, voting will occur for 30 assembly seats spread across 13 districts, while the second phase will cover 36 assembly seats across 16 districts. Election officials have highlighted the importance of these elections, which are critical for the state's governance and political representation. Results are expected to be announced on November 23, a date that will determine the political landscape of Jharkhand for the next legislative term.

The nomination process for the first phase has already concluded, with a remarkable total of 804 candidates submitting their nominations for 43 assembly seats. Among the most competitive constituencies, Jamshedpur East leads with 32 candidates, followed closely by Jamshedpur West with 31 candidates and Hatia with 30 candidates. The notification for the first phase of elections was officially issued on October 18, and candidates had until October 25 to submit their nominations. Following this, the scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for October 28, allowing officials to ensure that all candidates meet the eligibility criteria.