New Delhi, Nov 30 (IANS): Amid polling for the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the voters of the state to participate in the voting.

Taking to twitter, Modi said, "Phase 1 of the Jharkhand elections is in progress. I urge those whose constituencies go to the polls today to vote in large numbers & enrich the festival of democracy."

Polling in Jharkhand, for the first phase, began at 7 a.m. in Chatra, Gumla, Bishunpur, Lohardaga, Manika, Latehar, Panki, Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Chhatarpour, Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur.

Out of these, Latehar, Lohardaga, Chatra, Gumla, Manika, Panki and Daltonganj are Naxal affected areas where polling is going on amid tight security and will conclude at 3 p.m.

189 candidates are contesting in the first phase, fate of those will be decided by 37,83,055 voters in these seats.

There are 28 candidates on the Bhawanathpur assembly seat, the highest on any seat in the first phase.