LS polls highlights: Control Room set up at CEO's office to monitor voting in Manipur

General Elections 2024 news updates: Catch all the news updates on the announcements related to Lok Sabha polls here

9:16 PM

Control Room set up at Chief Electoral Officer's office to monitor voting in Manipur

Control Room set up at Chief Electoral Officer's office to monitor voting in Lok Sabha polls in Manipur. The state votes on 19th April and 26th April for 2 parliamentary seats.

 

Manipur Joint CEO Daulat Khan says, "The way a control room has been set up in the CEO's office, similarly, control rooms have been set up at offices of district election officers. We will be able to monitor all polling stations and EVMs from here. Using an app, any technical problems being faced by any polling station can be reported and detected. If there is any such incident, we can send technical teams immediately. Webcasting is being done for at least 50% of the polling stations..."

9:16 PM

Imphal East District promotes green initiatives for polls

Khumanthem Diana Devi said, "In LokSabha Elections 2024, Imphal East district has initiated green initiative in which we are encouraging eco-friendly election materials for decorative items. We are also adopting bamboo dustbins in place of plastic garbage bins. We are encouraging earthen pot water filter in place of the plastic water jars. We have also used electric vehicles today for transportation of polling personnel..."

9:16 PM

Control Room set up at Chief Electoral Officer's office to monitor voting in Manipur

Control Room set up at Chief Electoral Officer's office to monitor voting in Lok Sabha polls in Manipur. The state votes on 19th April and 26th April for 2 parliamentary seats.

Manipur Joint CEO Daulat Khan says, "The way a control room has been set up in the CEO's office, similarly, control rooms have been set up at offices of district election officers. We will be able to monitor all polling stations and EVMs from here. Using an app, any technical problems being faced by any polling station can be reported and detected. If there is any such incident, we can send technical teams immediately. Webcasting is being done for at least 50% of the polling stations..."

9:15 PM

PM Modi pulled up Indian economy from 11th to 5th spot, it would rise to third position in his next term: Shah

7:49 PM

"It was a regular towel," Congress's Vikas Agrahari refutes rumors of joining BJP

Vikas Agrahari said, "I had gone to meet them over the issues of my area. A formal welcome takes place when people meet each other. The same happened there as well. But later when I came back, I came to know that there are reports in the media that I have joined the BJP. But the truth is that I made no statements there, there is no video of mine which establishes that I have joined the BJP...I am here to refute this...The saffron clothing was not a 'BJP gamchha', it was a regular towel..."

6:46 PM

Atishi alleges BJP is targeting Arvind Kejriwal's health with false claims

Delhi Minister & AAP leader Atishi says, "To control his sugar level, Arvind Kejriwal takes 54 units of insulin every day. This many units of insulin are taken by those who have severe diabetes. What food you eat, and which exercise you do, all are necessary for a diabetic patient. That's the reason the court has allowed him to have home-made food. But the BJP with the help of its ancillary institution ED is trying to deteriorate the health of Arvind Kejriwal and trying to stop his home-made food. ED said in the Court that Arvind Kejriwal is having sweet tea and eating sweets, it's a blatant lie."

6:41 PM

PM Modi's leadership transforms Indian politics to development-oriented agenda, says Nadda in rally in Assam

BJP national president JP Nadda, addressing a public rally, says, "Under the leadership of PM Modi, the Indian politics have changed. Earlier, there were conflicts, and appeasement politics was done. It was carried out by the Congress party for a long time. But, PM Modi has changed the definition of politics. Today's politics is based on development... Today, the politics of accountability and performance is done... Now, Assam is a synonym for peace, security, good governance and empowerment..."

6:41 PM

Security tightened for Uttar Pradesh lok sabha polls tomorrow

On Lok Sabha polls in 8 seats in Uttar Pradesh tomorrow, Amitabh Yash, ADG Law and Order says, "In the 8 Lok Sabha seats, where polling will take place tomorrow, 248 barriers have been put in place, 348 flying squad teams, 459 surveillance and static teams and 55 QRT teams are keeping an eye...25,000 Home Guards, 60 companies of PAC, 220 companies CAPF have been deployed. Social media is also being monitored. 11 check posts established on the India-Nepal border points to check the movement of people."

5:08 PM

General Elections 2024 updates: Mehbooba Mufti files nomination from Anantnag-Rajouri LS seat

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti today filed nomination papers from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir which is going to polls in the third phase of elections on May 7.

5:06 PM

Voting for Naxal-hit Bastar Lok Sabha seat to be held tomorrow amid tight security

The Naxal-affected Bastar Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh will go to polls in the first phase of General Elections tomorrow, where 11 candidates are in fray. Congress' firebrand leader Kawasi Lakhma will take on BJP's Mahesh Kashyap, a fresh face, in Bastar, which the saffron party has lost in 2019. 

4:49 PM

General Elections 2024: Supriya Sule, sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar file nominations for Baramati LS seat

Three-term Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule and her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar today filed their nominations for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra's Pune district on the NCP (SP) and NCP tickets, respectively. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, husband of Sunetra Pawar, also filed a set nomination papers for the seat, which an NCP functionary described as a back-up plan in case Sunetra Pawar's nomination does not stand scrutiny or any discrepancy is found in it.

4:31 PM

General Elections 2024: After the elections, the Congress party will dissolve, says BJP leader R Ashoka

Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJP leader R Ashoka said: "This time, after the elections, the Congress party will dissolve. There will be no Congress in the nation. Bengaluru is the stronghold of the BJP. We will win."

4:28 PM

Over 1.325 million voters to decide fate of 3 candidates in Nagaland tomorrow

All arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of elections to the lone Lok Sabha in Nagaland where over 13.25 lakh voters tomorrow will decide the fate of three candidates in the fray. Congress nominee S Supongmeren Jamir, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate Chumben Murry and Independent Hayithung Tungoe Lotha are contesting the elections.

3:40 PM

Kerala will be sending double-digit MPs from NDA to the Parliament: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

"From yesterday, I am seeing the kind of attraction and enthusiasm the people of Kerala are showing towards the BJP and PM Modi, I am confident that this time, Kerala will be sending double-digit MPs from NDA to the Parliament. Under the leadership of PM Modi the stature of the nation has seen newer heights. Earlier, India's voice wasn't taken seriously but now people listen to India at International forums.India has the strength, it doesn't provoke anyone but if someone provokes us, India has the strength to respond," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said at a public meeting in Kollam.

3:36 PM

He should contest from Amethi: Amit Shah taunts Rahul Gandhi

Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister Amit Shah stated the Congress leader should stand in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Amit Shah told India Today TV it was obvious to the voters and the media why Rahul Gandhi was not entering the fray from Amethi.

2:37 PM

PM Modi has visited Northeast 70 times in 10 years: BJP chief JP Nadda

2:33 PM

Patna Lok Sabha polls: Over 7.5 million voters to decide fates of 38 candidates in 4 seats

The stage is set for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Bihar where more than 75 lakh voters will decide the fate of 38 candidates standing in four constituencies. Robust security arrangements are in place at Nawada and Aurangabad. Of the four seats, Nawada has the highest number of 20.06 lakh voters, where altogether eight candidates are in the fray.

1:46 PM

Rahul Gandhi does not have courage to contest from Amethi, says BJP leader Rajnath Singh

Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh today took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating that after his defeat from Amethi Lok Sabha seat in 2019, he does not have the courage to stand from there this time.Singh stated that while various space programmes and projects were being launched in the country, "the launching of Congress' young leader has not happened for the last 20 years".

1:28 PM

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan hits out at Congress over candidature of Lal Singh

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today slammed the Congress for fielding Choudhary Lal Singh, who allegedly supported the accused in the Kathua rape case, from the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. The veteran CPI(M) leader alleged that Singh, a former BJP leader, had participated in a rally in support of the accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in January 2018.

1:14 PM

BJP fields Union minister Rane from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg seat

The BJP today fielded Union minister Narayan Rane from the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg constituency in Maharashtra for the General Elections. The coastal seat has not been contested by the BJP earlier.

12:51 PM

Five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand to go to polls in 1st phase tomorrow

Polling for the five Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttarakhand will take place tomorrow with the BJP aiming to retain the seats for a third time. Voting will begin at 7 am across 11,729 polling stations and continue until 5 pm, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Kumar Jogdande said. The BJP won all the five seats in Uttarakhand in 2014 and 2019 general elections.

12:24 PM

LIVE: Trinamool Congress lodges complaint with EC against Bengal Governor

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) today filed a complaint with the Election Commission against West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose for allegedly interfering in the General Elections in the state. "A complaint against Governor C V Ananda Bose has been lodged with EC for repeatedly interfering with the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections, 2024 and attempting to visit poll-going areas during the silent period and on polling day," a TMC leader said.

12:06 PM

Exercise right to vote to elect 'pro-Bahujan' govt, says BSP chief Mayawati

Ahead of polling for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, BSP chief Mayawati today appealed to people to exercise their right to vote and elect a "pro-Bahujan" government. In a post on X, Mayawati  said the right to vote is a "democratic power to obtain the master key to power" which will enable the poor to uplift themselves.

11:51 AM

No ordinary election, it's to save Constitution, democracy, Rahul to Cong workers

"You are the backbone of our party. I thought that since it is election time, I should talk to you directly. This is not an ordinary election, this is an election to save the Constitution and democracy in which 'Babbar Sher' (lion-hearted) workers like you have a huge responsibility," Rahul Gandhi said in his message to Congress workers.

11:48 AM

Poll preparations underway in Imphal West ahead of General Elections phase I

Manipur will hold two phases of elections for its parliamentary constituencies. The Inner Manipur constituency will go to the polls on April 19, while voting in the Outer Manipur constituency will be held on April 26. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh as its candidate for the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, while the Indian National Congress has fielded Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.

 

 

11:41 AM

PM Modi sends personalised letters to BJP, NDA candidates for Lok Sabha polls

On the occasion of Ram Navami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent personally written letters to all Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates contesting the General Elections scheduled for the first phase on April 19.

 

11:26 AM

BJP leader Jagdish Shetter challenges Congress to secure 40 seats in Lok Sabha elections

In response to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi's statement that the NDA would not cross 180 seats, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagdish Shetter challenged Congress to win 40 seats in the General Elections.

11:01 AM

Lotus will bloom in South Chennai: BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) South Chennai Lok Sabha candidate, Tamilisai Soundararajan, asserted that the people have been benefited from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's schemes and that the lotus symbol of BJP will bloom in Tamil Nadu. She also said that her decision to enter the political fray would turn out to be the correct one.

 

10:22 AM

Why are heavyweight leaders visiting Cooch Behar?: Congress candidate Piya Roy Chowdhury

Congress' candidate from Cooch Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal, Piya Roy Chowdhury, questioned why big leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, are visiting the area amid the poll campaign. The Cooch Behar parliamentary seat is currently held by the BJP. Nisith Pramanik, the incumbent BJP MP and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, won the seat in 2019 and is seeking re-election from Cooch Behar.

10:20 AM

To keep Manipur's territorial integrity intact, people need to vote for BJP, says CM Biren Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated that the work needed to be done by the Centre under the leadership of PM Modi to keep Manipur's territorial integrity intact has started, and to complete the process, people need to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the General Elections. "Whatever Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the day before yesterday--to keep Manipur's territorial integrity intact. He used very meaningful words. An attempt was made to destroy Manipur by imbalancing its demography by infusing people from the outside. The Prime Minister removed the FMR (Free Movement Regime) and took the decision on fencing. That is the point that the Manipur people want to hear from the central leaders," he said.