Voting for 43 seats spread across 15 districts in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections concluded on Wednesday evening. The second phase for 38 seats is scheduled to take place on November 20 while the results will be declared on November 23. In the State capital, along with the citizens, the Governor, CM and other officials too stepped out to exercise their right to vote and participate in the election. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar exercised his franchise by visiting the polling booth at Srikrishna Institute of Public Administration, Ranchi. Extending his greetings to the people of the State on this festival of democracy, Gangwar called upon all the voters to actively participate in this great festival and exercise their franchise compulsorily. Being a responsible citizen, it is the duty of all of us to vote, said the Governor. Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife MLA Kalpana Soren stepped out cast their votes in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly election in Ranchi on Wednesday. Today we took this festival of democracy as a festival of our own opinion and we went to our respective polling booths to cast our votes. I appeal to every citizen of the State to strengthen this system of democracy. We all should accept and strengthen this system of democracy which has been going on for years and will continue for as long as this as this country will exist said the CM. Former Indian cricket captain and SVEEP icon of Jharkhand assembly elections Mahendra Singh Dhoni along with his family exercised his franchise. Dhoni arrived at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir to cast his vote. Chief Election Officer K Ravi Kumar along with his wife cast his vote at Rajkrit Model High School, Doranda. Kumar appealed to the urban voters to cast their vote by overcoming their indifference towards voting. Citizens can exercise their franchise till 5 pm and that it is not only your right but also your duty towards democracy, said Kumar. Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dr Neha Aroroa used her franchise at the Tehsil Kachhari, Ratu Road polling booth while Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sandip Singh cast his vote at Nehru Sanskriti Kendra, Jawahar Nagar under Kanke Assembly constituency. Preeti, a first year college student was very excited to exercise her voting rights this election. Voting is a very important process as every single vote counts and the leader chosen is responsible for the betterment of our lives in the coming years. My vote will be for the party addressing issues like better job opportunities, education and health facilities. Arjun Basu a senior citizen feels that the government which will come to power should do something about the increasing pollution levels. The rising level of pollution, excessive harsh temperature during the summer and winter months, climate change- all are very pressing issues and need immediate attention. I hope my vote will help in bringing such a government to power that will take necessary steps in protecting the environment.

Stay updated with all the Latest Ranchi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.