Ranchi, Feb. 10 -- The battle for the Ranchi Mayor's chair has reached a fever pitch as the final 11 candidates hit the streets with their newly allotted symbols. The city's political landscape is now a colourful mosaic of competing visions, ranging from seasoned political veterans to fresh independent faces. At the forefront of this high-stakes contest are Rama Khalkho, the Congress and JMM-backed heavyweight carrying the Bench symbol, and Roshni Khalkho, the BJP-backed contender identified by the Biscuit symbol. While Rama is leveraging her past experience and a message of communal harmony, Roshni is banking on the Smart City vision and administrative reform to capture the urban vote. "True development of Ranchi is only possible with the participation of all religions and communities. The development of Ranchi remains incomplete until the voices of all communities are included in the mainstream," said Khalkaho while visiting different religious places in the city after she got the symbol. "For nearly three years, Ranchi has been functioning without an elected Mayor. The city is crying out for decisive leadership and accountable governance that actually reaches every household, not just the files," said Roshni while talking to voters in different areas. The independent field is equally diverse, adding a layer of unpredictability to the race. Kiran Kumari is cooling her heels with the Air Conditioner symbol, while Devi Dayal Munda has taken up the Stick to signal a firm stance on city issues. Traditional and modern imagery collide as Praveen Kachhap campaigns with Bangles, Vinod Kumar Badaik lights the way with a Torch, and Sujata Kachhap seeks voter trust through the Box. The construction of a new Ranchi is symbolized literally by Sujit Vijay Anand Kujur and his Bricks, while Suman Kant Tigga offers the Bucket as a promise of better water management. Rounding out the list, Surendra Linda and Sonu Khalkho are focusing their lenses on the public via the Camera and Carpet symbols, respectively. The Jharkhand State Election Commission (SEC) and the Ranchi District Election Office are currently executing several critical measures to ensure the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) mayoral election on February 23, 2026, is conducted fairly and transparently. An official at district collectorate said since the election schedule was announced on January 27, the MCC has been strictly enforced in Ranchi. This includes monitoring campaign activities and preventing the use of official machinery for electoral gain. "The commission has deployed Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) to monitor illegal cash movements and campaign spending. Direction for completion of door-to-door distribution of voter slips at least 12 days before polling has been given," the official said....