Elections

Assam assembly polls record nearly 76% turnout till 3pm as voting continues

A voter turnout of nearly 76 per cent was recorded till 3 pm on Thursday in the assembly elections in Assam, where the BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power, while the Congress is looking to reclaim a state it lost a decade ago. Polling began at 7 am for the 126-member assembly, and 75.91 per cent of the state's 2.5 crore voters had exercised their right till 3 pm, defying overcast skies and rains in many parts of the state. The polling will continue till 5 pm. In the 2021 assembly elections, held in three phases, voter turnout of around 82 per cent was recorded. A total of 722 candidates are in the fray in this single-phase election, which is largely witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led ruling coalition and the opposition bloc helmed by the Congress. Chamaria in Kamrup recorded the highest turnout of 84.43 per cent till 3 pm, while New Guwahati witnessed the lowest at 60.57 per cent, officials said. This is the first assembly poll in the state after

Tamil Nadu polls: A contest shaped by welfare politics, shifting alliances

As Tamil Nadu heads to polls on April 23, the Assembly election will test Dravidian politics, alliance cohesion, and the enduring impact of welfare-driven governance across regions

Poll neutrality at risk if EC relies on contestants: Justice Nagarathna

Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna, while highlighting that the Election Commission is the primary institution entrusted with maintaining the integrity of polls, has said if those who conduct elections are dependent on those who contest them, the neutrality of the process cannot be assured. The apex court judge raised a critical concern regarding the structural independence of those tasked with overseeing the ballot while delivering the Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture at the Chanakya Law University in Patna on Saturday. Citing a 1995 verdict where the Supreme Court recognised the Election Commission as a constitutional authority of high significance, entrusted with ensuring the integrity of elections, she said, "The concern, once again, was structural: if those who conduct elections are dependent on those who contest them, the neutrality of the process cannot be assured." Justice Nagarathna said elections are not merely periodic events but a mechanism through which politica

SC expresses concern over intimidation of judicial officers in West Bengal

Supreme Court orders central forces and probe after judicial officers were allegedly confined during electoral roll revision in West Bengal, raising concerns over rule of law

Infra push meets fiscal reality in Assam ahead of Assembly elections

Development, fiscal stress and identity issues dominate Assam polls, as parties battle over growth claims and governance ahead of elections

Kharge announces Congress' 'five guarantees' for poll-bound Assam

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday announced his party's "five guarantees" for poll-bound Assam, with a focus on women's welfare, healthcare for all, land rights and justice in the Zubeen Garg death case. He also took a swipe at the BJP-led government in the state, accusing it of indulging in rampant corruption and working "to fill the coffers" of its leaders and their families. Addressing a rally at Naoboicha in Lakhimpur district, Kharge listed the party's 'five guarantees', which include a monthly cash transfer to women, along with an additional Rs 50,000 assistance to women willing to set up or expand a business. "Our transfer will be unconditional. It will not be like what the BJP government is doing, where women are asked to be members of their party," he said. The Congress, which is looking to wrest power from the BJP, pledged Rs 25 lakh cashless health insurance for all families, permanent land pattas for 10 lakh indigenous people and Rs 1,250 per month for sen

TN Assembly polls: Battle lines drawn, AIADMK switches to campaign mode

With a month to go for Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, the battle lines are clearly drawn and the AIADMK camp is making apparent efforts to get a headstart ahead of the ruling DMK bloc by quickly finalising the seat-sharing deal, identifying constituencies for itself and allies and switching on to the campaign mode. The Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK, which leads the NDA in Tamil Nadu will take on the DMK in certain urban centres considered to be the ruling party's stronghold. The assembly polls will be held on April 23 and counting of votes taken up on May 4. Determined to win over 210 out of the 234 Assembly constituencies in the state, the AIADMK has announced that it would contest from 169 seats, leaving the rest to allies, while the DMK has readied its poll battle machinery in as many as 175 constituencies. For its part, the Stalin-led party has set a target to secure over 200 seats. DMK has announced that 'Rising Sun' will be in fray from 175 Assembly segments, indicating it wo

West Bengal election: Job creation main plank of CPI(M)-led Left Front

The CPI(M)-led Left Front is making job creation its main plank in the upcoming West Bengal assembly election to attract young voters back to its fold. CPI(M) central committee member Samik Lahiri said the party is banking on a large number of young candidates fielded by it this elections as well as young volunteers to gain the support of the younger generation, a crucial factor for the Left as it suffered a huge dent in support from these sections in the last few elections in the state. "The main plank of our campaign is job creation," he said. "There is no job in the state; nearly 1.25 crore people, from unskilled to super-skilled, have left the state owing to lack of employment," the CPI(M) leader told PTI. He said that the Left Front has developed an alternative job creation policy for the state, which it will unveil in its manifesto for the assembly elections. The Left Front's poll manifesto is in its final stages and will be released very soon, Lahiri said. "We are placing

Millions in Vietnam to vote for new legislature in general election

Voters in Vietnam cast their ballots to select a new National Assembly on Sunday, two months after the ruling Communist Party reelected leader To Lam to the country's top political post. Nearly 79 million voters across the country are eligible to pick 500 representatives from 864 candidates to the rubber-stamp National Assembly. All candidates are vetted and pre-approved by the Communist Party, ensuring the assembly remains aligned with the party's political direction. The Communist Party tightly controls political activity, arguing that centralised leadership allows the country to pursue longterm development goals without disruptions. The new National Assembly is expected to implement the policy agenda shaped at the congress, prioritizing sustained economic growth and political stability. The election follows the Communist Party's national congress in January, a political event held every five years that sets the country's leadership lineup and policy priorities. At the congress,

Nepal general election: Balendra Shah's RSP wins 20 seats, leads in 98

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was on Saturday heading towards a sweeping victory in Nepal's first general elections since the violent Gen Z protests, shattering the dominance of established political parties in the politically fragile nation. According to the latest Election Commission data, the RSP has won 20 seats and is ahead in 98 others. The election is being closely watched by India, which hopes for a stable government in the politically fragile Himalayan nation to take forward the developmental partnership between the two sides. "We look forward to working with the new Government of Nepal to further build on the robust multifaceted ties between our two countries and peoples for mutual benefit," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in Delhi on Thursday. He said India has "consistently supported peace, progress and stability in Nepal and in keeping with our commitment, provided logistical ...

Nepal votes peacefully in crucial election, first since Gen Z protests

Nepalese on Thursday morning started to reach polling booths to cast their vote in crucial general elections, the first since a violent Gen Z-led protest that toppled the K P Sharma Oli-led government last year. More than 18.9 million eligible Nepalese will be exercising their franchise to elect the 275-member House of Representatives from among the 3,406 candidates vying for 165 seats under direct voting, and 3,135 candidates vying for 110 seats through proportionate voting. The voting started at 7 am and will conclude at 5 pm. The counting will start immediately after the ballot boxes are collected. Addressing a press meet here on the eve of the polls, Acting Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari on Wednesday had said that all preparations for the election had been completed and urged voters to participate actively and enthusiastically in the democratic exercise.

Nepal election pits former rapper against old guard vying for Gen Zs

Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper-turned-politician who was previously the mayor of the capital Kathmandu, has emerged as a front-runner with backing from many of the young voters

Indo-Nepal border to remain closed from March 2 ahead of Nepal elections

The India-Nepal border will remain closed from midnight of March 2 to midnight of 5 in view of the general elections scheduled in Nepal on March 5, officials said on Friday. Sudhir Sharma, in-charge of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Rupaidiha, Bahraich, told PTI that Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an official communication dated February 26 regarding the closure. According to the letter, all border outposts along the entire stretch of Banke district adjoining India will remain closed from 12 am on the intervening night of March 2 and 3 till 12 am on March 5 to ensure that the election process is conducted in a free, fair, fearless and credible environment. Sharma said that import and export of goods through the ICP would remain suspended during the period, but movement of essential medicines and other critical commodities will not be stopped. Commandant Ganga Singh Udawat of the 42nd Battalion of Sashastra Seema Bal said instructions have been issued to enforce ...

SC flags fiscal strain of pre-poll freebies, questions power subsidies

Bench led by the CJI warns that unchecked largesse strains taxpayers, deepens deficits and may weaken economic foundations as States expand subsidies ahead of elections

Takaichi will be reappointed as Japan's PM with goal of pushing to right

Last week Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi won a landslide election that she hopes will allow her to move her nation's policies hard right. On Wednesday she will be reappointed as prime minister by the parliament and form her second Cabinet. It's a formality, but Takaichi will look to use the symbolism of the day to further boost her Liberal Democratic Party as it looks to capitalize on a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house, the more powerful of Japan's two parliamentary chambers. Her goals include an increase in military power, more government spending and strengthened conservative social policies. The power of a supermajority Having two-thirds control of the 465-seat lower house allows Takaichi's party to dominate top posts in house committees and push through bills rejected by the upper house, the chamber where the LDP-led ruling coalition lacks a majority. Takaichi wants to bolster Japan's military capability and arms sales, tighten immigration policies, push ...

BNP chief Tarique Rahman to take oath as new PM of Bangladesh today

Tarique Rahman will take oath as Bangladesh's new Prime Minister on Tuesday after leading his party to a forceful victory in the crucial general elections. Breaking with a long-standing tradition, the swearing-in ceremony of the 60-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairman would be held at the South Plaza of the Parliament Complex instead of Bangabhaban. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the new cabinet members at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday afternoon, state-run BSS news agency reported on Monday. "The Parliament Secretariat is set to hold the oath-taking ceremony of the new cabinet members at 4:00 pm tomorrow. Earlier, the Parliament Members (MPs) will be sworn in at 10:00 am at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex," Secretary of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat Kaniz Maula told BSS earlier. BNP has called a parliamentary party meeting at the Parliament Building at 11:30 am to elect the parliamentary party leader. "As the

BNP secured 50% votes, Jamaat gets 31% in Bangladesh general election

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which swept to power with a two-thirds majority in the recent general elections, received nearly 50 per cent of the votes while its once ally the Jamaat-e-Islami secured 31.76 per cent, according to the Election Commission on Sunday. An EC spokesman said independent candidates collectively won 5.79 per cent of the votes while "other political parties lagged far behind". According to the EC, the BNP led by former prime minister Khaldea Zia's son Tarique Rahman secured 49.97 per cent of the votes as it bagged 209 out of 297 seats. The right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to the country's 1971 independence from Pakistan, emerged as the main opposition party, registering its best ever performance as it won 68 seats. The BNP alliance won 212 seats compared to 77 for the Jamaat alliance. The National Citizen Party, formed by the Students Against Discrimination, which led the mass protests against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina in Aug

SIR discrepancy hearings in Bengal end; final rolls to be released Feb 28

The hearing for 'logical discrepancy' cases in the SIR exercise concluded across West Bengal on Saturday, a senior EC official said, adding that the the final electoral rolls is scheduled to be published on February 28. The hearings, which addressed omissions and inconsistencies in name spellings, began on December 27 and continued across the state at camps set up in schools, club rooms and administrative buildings. "The poll officials will now scrutinise documents till February 21, and the final electoral rolls is slated for publication on February 28," the official said. Any pending data for Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) must be uploaded by Monday. During the enumeration exercise, around 58 lakh names (deceased/duplicate/shifted voters) were referred as fit for omission and kept out of the draft electoral rolls published in December. The last date of publication of the final electoral rolls was February 14, which was later extended by the EC to February 28.

Datanomics: New Bangladesh govt faces muted growth, high inflation

From 2019 to 2024, Bangladesh beat India in terms of per capita income

Preserve SIR records for 5 years: CEC Gyanesh Kumar to Bengal officials

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Friday directed that all records related to the SIR of electoral rolls be preserved for five years and warned of strict disciplinary action against officials found responsible for errors or deliberate lapses, an official said. At a meeting held virtually with district magistrates (DMs), electoral registration officers (EROs) and assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) of Bengal, Kumar said decisions taken during the SIR process would remain stored in the commission's database for many years. "These records will not remain for one or two years, but for several years. If any foreign national's name is found in the voter list in future, the officer concerned will face action," Kumar was quoted as saying. In a stern message to the district election officers (DEOs), he cautioned that the poll panel would be empowered to initiate action even years later. "Do not assume you can escape. Even after two years, the commission can proceed