Page 592 - Politics
ANC holds onto power in South Africa as other parties increase vote share
The African National Congress (ANC) has held onto power in South Africa, albeit with a reduced majority, while two parties to the right and left have increased their votes share as the General Election for the sixth National Assembly since Nelson Mandela assumed power in 1994 drew to a close Friday. The proportional representation system used in South Africa requires voters to choose a party to lead the country and Legislative Assemblies in its nine provinces, rather than specific President and Premiers respectively for these positions. There was consensus among analysts that the ANC gained the trust of the electorate because of the appointment of Cyril Ramaphosa as President early last year after Jacob Zuma was recalled from the position. This was despite earlier concerns that disillusionment with Zuma and his cabinet over rampant allegations of corruption and state capture would see voters choosing other parties. Besides being returned to the National Parliament with 58% of the ...
South Africa elections: ANC set to win with reduced majority
The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party, is set to win the country's parliamentary elections but with a diminished majority, the country's election commission said on Friday.According to unofficial results released by the commission, the ANC has a strong lead with just over 57 per cent of the votes. So far, 90 per cent of the votes have been counted, CNN reported.However, the ANC's voter support has never fallen below 60 per cent, since the end of apartheid in 1994, the commission said.The fall in vote share comes as the ruling party has its task cut out to take steps in strengthening South Africa's stagnated economy, besides improving its image, which took a hit after corruption allegations involving former president Jacob Zuma and others surfaced.In the 2009 and 2014 elections, the ANC won 66 per cent and 62 per cent of voter support respectively.The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is way behind the electoral race, garnering just under ..
They're people who wear 'janeu' once in 5 yrs: Irani takes dig at Rahul
Union Minister Smriti Irani took a veiled jibe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and its general secretary Priyanka Gandhi saying that they are people who wear "janeu" once in five years and come for "Ganga-darshan" only during elections."Prime Minister Narendra Modi served nation and hypocrites, mahamilawati people and corrupt Congress didn't give him anything else except insults. They are people who wear a 'janeu' once in 5 yrs, who go on foreign tours for 5 yrs and come for 'darshan' of Ganga at the time of elections," she said without naming anyone while addressing an election rally here on Friday.The Union Minister also criticised Priyanka for choosing not to contest from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat."They go to Ayodhya but don't bow their heads before Ram Lalla as they remember their vote bank. They're people who ask in Amethi if they should contest from Varanasi but when it is time to draw swords in the battlefield, they leave not only Varanasi and Amethi but go to Wayanad," said ..
Algeria witnesses first mass protests on Ramadan
Thousands of Algerians on Friday took to the streets here on the first Friday of Ramadan, pressing their demands for democratic reforms and ousting of key officials from former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika's regime.The demonstrations, which are being held for the 12th week in a row, comes even after 82-year-old Bouteflika stepped down last month following popular uprisings against the ailing leader, Anadolu News Agency reported.Protesters, who are fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan month, are demanding the immediate departure of interim President Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Noureddine Badawi, who were all part of Bouteflika's regime.Bensalah, who was confirmed as Algeria's interim president by the Parliament last month, has promised to hold presidential elections within 90 days.Despite Bensalah's assurance and his appointment as per the Algerian Constitution, agitators have been demanding his removal as the 76-year-old former Upper House speaker has close links with
US sending assault ship, Patriot battery to Middle East amid Iran 'threat'
The Pentagon announced Friday that it is deploying an amphibious assault ship and a Patriot missile battery to the Middle East to bolster an aircraft carrier force sent to counter alleged threats from Iran. "These assets will join the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a US Air Force bomber task force in the Middle East region in response to indications of heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against US forces and our interests," the Pentagon said in a statement.
EC orders re-polling at two polling stations in West Bengal on May 12
Election Commission of India (EC) has declared "void", the polls held on May 6 at polling station no-116 in Barrackpur parliamentary constituency and polling station no-110 in Arambag parliamentary constituency of West Bengal.Re-polling for these polling stations will be held on May 12 from 7 am to 6 pm, an order issued by EC on Friday said."After taking all material circumstances into account, the Election Commission of India hereby declares under Sub-Sections (2) of Section 58 of clause (b) under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 that the poll taken on May 6, 2019, for the aforesaid election at following polling stations (polling station no-116 in Barrackpur and polling station no-110 in Arambag) to be void," EC said in its order to Chief Electoral Officer of the West Bengal.The ECI directed the Officer to ensure that wide publicity is given in the polling areas. It also directed the official to inform political parties and contesting candidates about the fresh poll.Prior ..
Wanted Venezuelan opposition lawmaker flees to Colombia
An opposition lawmaker charged with treason for supporting last month's failed uprising in Venezuela announced in a video Friday that he had fled to neighbouring Colombia. "I am out of the country, in Colombia, sheltered from a regime that is willing to imprison deputies," said Luis Florido, one of 10 lawmakers charged with treason for supporting a failed April 30 uprising against President Nicolas Maduro's regime. "Before leaving, I consulted with many friends, all of them told me: 'Luis, don't let yourself get caught, don't give a trophy to the regime that has kept you hungry for so long," Florido said in the video posted on Twitter.
EC issues fresh notice to Sidhu over 'objectionable comments' against PM Modi
The Election Commission (EC) issued a fresh notice to Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday over his "objectionable comments" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi which, it said, prima facie violated the Model Code of Conduct.Sidhu has been given 24 hours time to respond to the notice."The Commission, after considering the available material and extant provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and instructions in the matter, has decided to provide an opportunity to Shri Navjot Singh Sidhu, the star campaigner, Indian National Congress to submit his explanation, if any, in the matter within 24 hours of receipt of this notice failing which the Commission shall take a decision without further reference to him," the EC said in the notice.The poll body had received a complaint from the BJP alleging that the Congress leader made disparaging remarks about PM Modi at a rally in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on April 29.The notice said, "A complaint dated April 30 was received in the ...
WB: Senior BJP leaders bringing boxes full of money to woo voters, says Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday alleged that BJP leaders with Z and Y-plus security cover were involved in mobilising money to influence voters in the Lok Sabha elections."Why should so much money be spent on elections? How is so much money being circulated through Hawala? Yesterday, one BJP candidate was caught with crores of rupees. Even today, BJP leaders with Z-plus, Y-plus security cover are bringing boxes filled with money," Banerjee said at a rally here.Rs 1.13 lakh cash was seized from Ghatal BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh's car on Thursday night.Earlier in the day, state Chief Electoral Office sent a report to the Election Commission regarding the seizure.Ghosh is up against Bengali actor and Trinamool Congress candidate Deepak Adhikary for the Ghatal seat which will go to polls in the sixth phase of general elections on Sunday.
Yogi Adityanath terms SP-Congress as 'supporters of terrorists'
Terming the Congress and the Samajwadi Party as "supporters of terrorists", UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the previous SP government in UP of withdrawing cases against terrorists."The first task, the Akhilesh-led SP government undertook, was taking back all the cases against terrorists. Cases were withdrawn against terrorists who attacked the Ram Janmbhoomi in Ayodhya and Sankatmochna temple in Kaashi," Yogi Adityanath said while addressing a rally here on Friday.Adityanath was seeking votes for the BJP candidate from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituency and Bhojpuri film star, Ravi Kishan.Taking on the Congress party over its manifesto promise of repealing the sedition law, UP Chief Minister said, "The Congress says that their government will repeal the sedition law. In other words, their government will support terrorists and Naxals."Yogi also urged voters to teach a lesson to the Congress, SP, and BSP for "playing with the national security."Commending PM Modi for striking .
Mamata, Naidu will lose ground in their states: Jaitley
Union Minister Arun Jaitley said on Friday that Mamata Banerjee and Chandrababu Naidu believe that they are the 'anchors" of the Opposition but when results are declared on May 23, they would have realised that they "have lost large ground" in their own states.
BJP MP Parvesh Verma sends notice to AAP candidate
West Delhi sitting MP and BJP candidate Parvesh Singh Verma has sent a legal notice to his opponent, AAP's Balbir Singh Jakhar accusing him of "character assassination". The Bharatiya Janata Party leader has sought an unconditional apology from Jakhar failing which he will initiate legal proceedings against him. According to the notice, Jakhar, in an interview, had accused Verma of distributing alcohol and cash among the voters of his constituency. No immediate reaction was available from Jakhar. Verma is pitted against Jakhar and Congress' Mahabal Mishra for the seat which goes to polls on May 12 along with six other seats in the national capital.
J-K administration sets up panels to probe irregularities in 5 departments
The Jammu and Kashmir governor's administration has set up fact finding committees to probe irregularities and scams in five government organisations and departments, including the sports council, an official said Friday night. Following a large number of complaints from various quarters regarding irregularities in the functioning of different departments, the administration has decided to constitute fact-finding committees headed by senior officers to look into those, a spokesperson said. The panels will look into irregularities in appointments in J-K Sports Council and in Skill Development department, in awarding dredging contracts, macadamization contracts and in lack of progress in implementation of SWAN Project, he said. All the fact-finding committees will submit their reports by 14 June, the spokesperson said.
Pentagon shifting $1.5 billion to border wall construction
The Pentagon is shifting USD 1.5 billion in funds originally targeted for support of the Afghan security forces and other projects to help pay for construction of 80 miles of wall at the US-Mexican border, officials said Friday. Congress was being notified of the move, which follows the Pentagon's decision in March to transfer USD 1 billion from Army personnel budget accounts to support wall construction. Some lawmakers have been highly critical of the Pentagon shifting money not originally authorised for border security. The combined total of USD 2.5 billion is in response to President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the border, where Customs and Border Protection personnel are struggling to cope with increasing numbers of Central American families attempting to gain entry. Trump vetoed Congress' attempt to reverse his emergency declaration. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, who has said he plans to visit the border on Saturday, said in announcing the ..
Italian Embassy shelters Venezuelan MP facing arrest
Rome, May 11 (IANS/AKI) Americo De Grazia, an member of Venezuela's National Assembly who is facing arrest and prosecution, was given refuge at Italy's Embassy in Caracas, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Didn't violate poll code, be fair and non-discriminatory: Rahul to EC on show cause notice
Congress President Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have told the Election Commission to be "fair and non-discriminatory" in dealing with complaints of poll code breach and claimed "not guilty" of its violation by his charge that the Narendra Modi government has enacted a new law that allowed tribals to be shot at. Responding to a show cause notice by the EC, Gandhi is learnt to have told the poll panel that he had tried to summarise a proposed amendment to the Indian Forest Act in a simple language during a political speech. He told the poll panel that his words, in Hindi, were used in a "free flow of a political speech" and there was no intention of "misleading, misrepresenting or stating false and non-existent facts". Gandhi also asked the poll body "to maintain a fair, non-discriminatory, non-arbitrary and balanced approach" besides ensuring a level playing field among leaders of national political parties. He cited a number of statements of BJP leaders including that of Prime Minister ..
BJP is undemocratic, dictatorial, destructive, non-performing: Chandrababu Naidu
Terming BJP as "undemocratic", "dictatorial", "destructive and non-performing", Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday asserted that the aim of 22 opposition parties is to preserve the integrity of the electoral process and Election Commission."On 23rd May, if people reject this undemocratic, dictatorial, destructive and non-performing team and select a new team that will play by the rules, respect the conventions and will preserve the spirit of democracy, then that will save the institutions and save Indian democracy," tweeted Naidu."He killed all democratic institutions in the 5 years of his misrule, unlike anything India has seen before. The collective fight of 22 opposition parties is to preserve the integrity of the electoral process & preserve the institutional integrity of the Election Commission," he added.The Andhra Chief Minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attacking former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh for taking "objective" ..
Pitroda's remarks out of line, should apologise: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed his strong disapproval of remarks of party leader Sam Pitroda concerning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying these were completely out of line and he should apologise.
Pitroda scores a self-goal as Aiyar did in 2014 (News Analysis)
After Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar scored a self-goal in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections by calling Modi "chaiwalllah", party leader Sam Pitroda appears to have done the same with his controversial remarks concerning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots ahead of crucial polling for Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
End Modi, Kejriwal's 'arrogance' democratically: Dikshit
Former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who is contesting from North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, on Friday appealed the people to end the "arrogance" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a democratic way for the city's development.