Page 46 - Elections

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal sounds bugle for elections in Chhattisgarh

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Partynational convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress of looting Chhattisgarh for the last 23 years and appealed people to give a chance to his party in the state to rid it of corruption and 'mafia raj'. Sounding the poll bugle for the Assembly elections scheduled in Chhattisgarh this year-end, he also asked people to keep their children's future in mind before casting their votes. He was addressing a rally of AAP workers at Jora ground on the outskirts of the capital Raipur. Kejriwal hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he loves industrialist Gautam Adani like his 'muh-bola' brother and is handing over everything in the country to him. Calling Manish Sisodia, who was recently arrested in Delhi excise policy case, a 'sant' (saint) and 'mahatma' (great soul), he said PM Modi will face the curse of students and poor people in Delhi for putting him in jail. "Chhattisgarh is a mineral-rich ..

Nagaland elects its first-ever women lawmakers 60 years after statehood

History was scripted in Nagaland on Thursday when the state elected its first women legislators in its 60 years of statehood. The two women lawmakers - Hekhani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse of the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) are greenhorns in politics but defeated the sitting MLAs in Western Angami and Dimapur-III seats respectively. By virtue of the result of her constituency being declared earlier in the day, Jakhalu became the first woman MLA in the Nagaland Assembly. She defeated her nearest rival and sitting MLA Azheto Zhimomi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) by 1,536 votes. The victory is not mine alone, it belongs to my people who trusted me with their hopes and aspirations. I dedicate this victory to God and pledge to serve my constituents with honesty and integrity, Jakhalu tweeted. A lawyer by education and social entrepreneur by profession, she is also the founder and chair of YouthNet Nagaland, an organisation working for the uplift

BJP succeeds in maintaining momentum in its favour in Assembly polls

The maiden alliance of the Left and the Congress in Tripura and the emergence of TIPRA Motha as a dominant force in tribal seats did not prove enough to topple the BJP from power in the state as the ruling party's development plank and ideological resonance surmounted local factors to deliver it another victory. Among the three northeastern states that went to assembly polls, Tripura's verdict was the most keenly watched due to the high stakes for three national parties - the BJP, Congress and the Left - and the results underscored the continuity of momentum in the saffron party's favour despite the occasional setbacks it has suffered in state polls. "If our 2018 victory was an endorsement of our ideological and development agenda, the win now shows its popular acceptance," a BJP leader involved in the Tripura polls said. The party had benefited from popular anger against the Left "misrule" for 25 years in 2018 and it has now received a positive mandate for the Centre and state ...

NPP wins 20 seats, ahead in five; UDP bags 11 constituencies in Meghalaya

The ruling National People's Party (NPP) in Meghalaya won 20 seats, and was leading in five other constituencies, the Election Commission said on Thursday as results of 52 of the 59 assembly seats that went to polls on February 27 were declared. The United Democratic Party (UDP) bagged 11 constituencies, while the Congress won five seats. The Voice of the People Party (VPP) and the Trinamool Congress won four seats each, while the Mamata Banerjee-led party was ahead in one constituency. The Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP), the People's Democratic Front and the BJP won two seats each, while the saffron party was leading in one constituency. Two Independent candidates also emerged victorious. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was leading in the South Tura seat by a margin of 2,830 votes, while his deputy Prestone Tynsong won Pynursla seat by 8,140 votes. Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma of the TMC won Songsak seat by a margin of 507 votes, but lost Tikrikilla constituency

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma wins South Tura seat with 10,090 votes

Sangma expressed satisfaction and thanked people for voting for his National People's Party (NPP)

NPP wins 13 seats, ahead in 12; UDP bags nine in Meghalaya Assembly polls

The ruling National People's Party (NPP) in Meghalaya won 13 seats, and was leading in 12 other constituencies, the Election Commission said on Thursday as the counting of votes for the assembly elections was underway. The United Democratic Party (UDP) bagged nine constituencies and was ahead in two seats. The Congress won four seats and was leading in one constituency. The Trinamool Congress won three seats and was ahead in two other constituencies. The Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the Voice of the People Party (VPP) won two seats each. The VPP was ahead in two constituencies. The BJP was leading in three seats, and the People's Democratic Front in two constituencies. Two Independent candidates emerged victorious, as per the latest trends available. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was leading in the South Tura seat by a margin of 2,830 votes, while his deputy Prestone Tynsong was leading in Pynursla seat by over 8,140 votes. State Congress president and MP Vin

AJSU leads by 21,960 votes after 9th round of counting in Ramgarh bypoll

AJSU party candidate Sunita Choudhary was leading by 21,960 votes over her nearest rival Bajrang Mahto of the Congress after the ninth round of counting in the Ramgarh by-election, an official said on Thursday. The AJSU party, which has tied up with the BJP for the bypoll, got 1,04,442 votes while the Congress, an ally of the ruling JMM-led coalition, got 82,482 after the completion of the ninth round of counting, the official said. Counting of votes for the Ramgarh assembly by-election began at 8 am at Ramgarh college, some 40 km from the state capital Ranchi, said Ramgarh SDO cum Returning officer Md Javed Hussain. A voter turnout of over 67.96 per cent was recorded in the Ramgarh assembly constituency bypoll on February 27. Though 18 candidates, including 14 Independents, were in the fray, the contest is mainly between the Congress, an ally of the ruling JMM-led coalition, and the AJSU party, which has tied up with the BJP for the bypoll. The by-election was necessitated after

BJP alliance likely to return in Tripura, Nagaland; trailing in Meghalaya

In neighbouring Meghalaya, the ruling National People's Party (NPP) won 6 seats and was leading in 19, while the BJP was leading in 3 seats

Turkish President Erdogan announces govt's plan to hold elections on May 14

"The time is coming. This nation will do what is necessary on May 14. No credit will be given to those who empty talk," Erdogan told his party members in Parliament

How will the markets read into the state election outcome in 2023?

While markets eye both economic and political issues, in the medium-to-long term, analysts believe election results do not matter much

No method in the madness

A new critique of the V-Dem democracy rankings highlights where the problem lies

EVM Glitches: Bypolls in three Assembly seats held peacefully

Bypolls in three Assembly constituencies in as many states passed off peacefully on Monday with around 63-70 per cent turnout, though some technical glitches in EVMs were reported in Tamil Nadu and the ruling TMC in West Bengal alleged that the CRPF was "influencing" voters. A voter turnout of more than 63 per cent was recorded till 3 pm in the by-election to West Bengal's Sagardighi assembly constituency in Murshidabad district while over 67.96 per cent voting was registered till 5 pm in the Ramgarh assembly constituency bypoll in Jharkhand. Around 70.58 per cent of the voters cast their ballots till 5pm in the bypoll to Tamil Nadu's Erode East by-election, EC officials said. No untoward incident was reported during the voting at the three places, Election Commission officials said. In West Bengal, the ruling TMC accused the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of trying to influence the electors to vote for the BJP. The opposition BJP, however, charged the TMC with trying to crea

Voting in Meghalaya, Nagaland peaceful, no demands for re-poll: EC

Voting for the Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly polls went off peacefully on Monday, the Election Commission (EC) said, adding that there was no demand for a re-poll from the two northeastern states. While both states have 60 Assembly seats, polling was held on 59 seats each, the EC pointed out. Polling for the Sohiong seat in Meghalaya was adjourned due to the death of one of the candidates. Since the Akuluto seat in Nagaland remained uncontested with only one candidate, no election was required there. "Polling across 3,419 polling stations in Meghalaya and 2,291 in Nagaland went off peacefully today.... Advance planning and extensive monitoring by the commission led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar...ensured smooth conduct of elections in the two states with no re-poll reported in any of the 5,710 polling stations," the EC said. In 2018, 11 re-polls were held in Nagaland and one was held in Meghalaya. Polling was also held in the Erode (East) Assembly seat in Tamil Nadu

Meghalaya assembly polls peaceful; over 75% voters' turnout recorded

More than 75 per cent of the 21.6 lakh electors in Meghalaya cast their votes on Monday till 5 pm and the polling was peaceful, Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor said. The figure is expected to increase as the polling continued for several hours after the scheduled time of conclusion. The ruling National People's Party (NPP) is contesting to retain power while the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other regional parties are attempting to bring about a change in the government in the northeastern state. The Congress and the BJP are contesting in 59 seats, while the NPP has put up nominees in 56 constituencies, the TMC in 57 and the UDP in 46. Though Meghalaya has a 60-member assembly, polling in Sohiong constituency has been adjourned following the death of one of the candidates. "At 5 pm, over 75 per cent turnout was recorded. In 200 odd polling stations in four districts, voting is likely to go on till 9 pm, Kharkongor said. Polling is being held in a free and fair manner. No unto

Over 67% polling for Jharkhand's Ramgarh assembly by-election till 5 pm

A voter turnout of over 67.96 per cent was recorded till 5 pm on Monday in the Ramgarh assembly constituency bypoll in Jharkhand, with the polling process being "peaceful", an Election Commission official said. Polling for the by-election began at 7 am amid tight security arrangements and it concluded at 5 pm. However, voters' queue was witnessed in many booths even till 5.30 pm, the official said. Ramgarh deputy commissioner (DC) Madhvi Mishra told PTI that 67.96 per cent of 3.34 lakh electors exercised their franchise in the Ramgarh assembly seat. "Voting passed off peacefully. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the constituency," Mishra said. Though 18 candidates, including 14 Independents, were in the fray, the contest would be mainly between the Congress, an ally of the ruling JMM-led coalition, and the AJSU Party, which has tied up with the BJP for the bypoll. The by-election was necessitated after the disqualification of Congress legislator Mamta Devi, follo

Over 82% turnout recorded in Nagaland, stray incidents of violence reported

Polling percentage was 83.85 in the 2018 Assembly polls, and the 2023 turnout is likely to increase after compilation of the reports of the Returning Officers, the officials said

Security tightened in Tripura ahead of vote counting, says Official

Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure that the vote counting process on March 2 was peaceful, with Director General of Police (DGP) Amitabh Ranjan keeping a close watch on the preparations, a senior officer said. Top officials, including the chief secretary, DGP and the chief electoral officer (CEO), have visited all districts and held meetings with police chiefs, issuing instructions to them to take stock of the situation in their respective areas, he said. Across the state, patrolling has been intensified, nakas set up, and personnel of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), state police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) deployed to prevent any untoward situation. The CAPF is carrying out flag marches regularly in the state, especially in the border areas, in coordination with the BSF. A special drive to randomly check hotels and cars is underway, the police officer said. All political parties have been requested to maintain peace and harmony during and after the coun

Election officials reach polling booths crossing rivers in Meghalaya

Election officials made their way to the polling booths across Meghalaya, trekking steep mountainous paths, crossing muddy rivers and walking for hours, as the northeastern state gears up for the assembly polls on Monday. Over 19,000 polling officials have been deployed at 3,419 booths set up for the elections to the 59 assembly seats, Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor told PTI. "All the teams that left for their respective polling booths since Saturday have now arrived," he said. The polling teams had to trek steep mountain paths, cross muddy rivers while travelling through difficult terrains -- in some areas through ropeways, to reach their destinations, Kharkongor said. A team headed to Nongriat polling station of Shella assembly constituency in East Khasi Hills district trekked 6,000 steps to reach its destination located near the scenic root bridge, he said. Election officials had to row a boat to reach the Amlarem constituency's Kamsing polling station, which has only 3

Nagaland Assembly elections: A look at key issues dominating state

Earlier, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) had called for the boycott of the polls until its demands are met by the Centre

Polling officials injured in road accident in West Garo Hills in Meghalaya

One of them is seriously injured while the others sustained minor injuries