SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 30: Despite the rise of regional parties, Dhanbad has recorded a decrease in the number of nominations filed for the 2024 elections compared to the previous assembly elections in 2019. The elections in Dhanbad district are set for the second phase on November 20.
On the last day of nomination filing, a total of 40 candidates from various political organisations and independent contestants submitted their nominations.
Breakdown of nominations
According to the list released by the district elections team on Tuesday evening, a total of 89 candidates—comprising national, regional, and independent participants—have filed for six seats in the district.
The Tundi seat attracted the highest number of nominations at 24, followed by 19 for Dhanbad, 13 for Baghmara, 12 for Jharia, 11 for Nirsa, and the lowest at 10 for the Sindri assembly seat.
Under party alliances, the BJP is contesting all six seats, while the Congress is fielding candidates in three, CPI(ML) in two, and JMM in one.
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Comparison with previous elections
In the 2019 assembly elections, a total of 90 candidates contested across six Dhanbad seats, with the highest nominations—21—coming from the Dhanbad Sadar seat, followed by 16 each for Jharia and Sindri, and 13 for Tundi. In contrast, the lowest number of nominations recorded in 2019 was nine for the Nirsa seat.
In the 2014 assembly elections, a total of 77 candidates submitted nominations across six seats in the Dhanbad district. The Sindri constituency saw the highest number of nominations, with 21 candidates vying for the seat. This was followed by 14 nominations for the Baghmara seat. The Dhanbad Sadar constituency registered 12 nominations, while Nirsa had 11 and Tundi received 10. Jharia recorded the lowest number, with just nine candidates.
Impact of election costs on candidate participation
Prof. Mukul Ravi Das from the postgraduate department at Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (BBMKU) attributes the decline in candidate nominations to the high costs associated with elections.
He explained that the financial burden makes it increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens to enter the political fray. “Today, there are lots of social activists who do social service selflessly in society, but when such people enter the poll fray, voters prefer other candidates who possess wealth,” he noted.
“So, the decreasing number of candidates in elections is not surprising, as common people cannot afford to contest,” he added.
