Latest Politics News
Increase VVPAT verification from one to five EVMs per Assembly segment, SC tells EC
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
With three days to go before voting for the first phase of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Supreme Court today (Monday, April 8) ordered the Election Commission to increase VVPAT verification of EVMs from one per assembly segment or constituency in a Lok Sabha seat to five EVMs per Assembly segment.
The order, passed by a Bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjeev Khanna, came on a plea filed by 21 Opposition parties that sought directions to the poll body to randomly verify at least 50 per cent of electronic voting machines (EVMs) using voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips in the assembly and general elections beginning Thursday, April 11.
The Supreme Court said it is increasing sample verification of VVPAT slips keeping in mind confidence of voters and credibility of electoral process.
This order, the court clarified, was not a commentary on any deficiency in the existing system whereby the Election Commission picks up one EVM every constituency for matching the votes with the paper audit trails.
It directed that the EVMs will continue to be picked up randomly and added that the existing set up of having five officials from the EC should be able to carry out this direction effectively.
“The present direction should not also cause much delay in the declaration of the result,” said the bench.
In the earlier hearings, the Election Commission told the SC Bench that it was in the favour of continuing the existing system of random checking of VVPAT slips from one EVM per assembly segment for the Lok Sabha and assembly polls. It also said the results would be delayed by six whole days if the Opposition parties’ demand is met.
The Opposition, however, countered the EC’s reply stating that they do not mind the delay in results, saying it is not a “serious delay” if it ensures the integrity of the electoral process. “If delay of 5.2 days is to be balanced with the integrity of electoral process, the balance will certainly tilt towards the latter,” they said in an affidavit submitted to the court.
The petitioners include Chandrababu Naidu of the TDP, Sharad Chandra Pawar of the NCP, Congress leader K C Venugopal, TMC leader Derek O’Brien, Sharad Yadav of the Loktantrik Janata Dal, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, Satish Chandra Mishra of the BSP, DMK leader M K Stalin, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and National Congress leader Farooq Abdullah.
The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19 this year. The counting of votes for all phases will take place on May 23.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Latest Politics News
BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri appointed as election in-charge of Tonk constituency in Rajasthan
Ramesh Bidhuri’s appointment comes amid speculation that Congress leader Sachin Pilot would be contesting from the Tonk constituency in the upcoming assembly election.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ramesh Bidhuri has been appointed as the party’s election in-charge of the Tonk constituency in Rajasthan, according to reports. Earlier, the party had issued a showcause notice to him for anti-Muslim slurs against his Parliament colleague Danish Ali of the BSP.
During the discussion of Chandrayaan 3 success, Bidhuri’s remarks calling Danish Ali a terrorist, militant etc triggered an uproar in the House with opposition leaders demanding strong action against him. On Monday, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri met party’s President JP Nadda.
Nonetheless, Ramesh Bidhuri’s appointment comes amid speculation that Congress leader Sachin Pilot would be contesting from the Tonk constituency in the upcoming assembly election. Notably, Tonk is Sachin Pilot’s stronghold. The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be carried out in or before November of this year to elect representatives for the 200-member house.
Previously, speaking on Bidhuri’s remarks, BSP MP Danish Ali expressed that he will now see if the BJP is taking any action against Bidhuri or if he will be promoted and included in the central cabinet of ministers, adding that maybe it has become a competition among BJP leaders to make such statements not just outside but even inside Parliament.
Danish Ali added that when this is the condition of an elected member like him then what will be the condition of a common people. He voiced that he hopes that he will get justice and the Speaker will conduct an enquiry or else he will leave the Parliament with a heavy heart as this can not be tolerated. He further mentioned that the party did not only insult him and his followers but also insulted the whole nation.
As per reports, when the incident took place, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla took cognizance of the matter and cautioned the BJP member for his remarks in the House, adding that strict action would be taken against him if he repeats such behaviour in future.
India News
Happy Birthday Manmohan Singh: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Stalin, Kharge greet ex PM Manmohan Singh on his 91st birthday
Rahul Gandhi posted on X former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji’s economic upliftment of the masses, unwavering commitment to nation building and integrity will always remain an inspiration for him. He wished him happiness and good health on his birthday.
PM Narendra Modi, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge greeted ex PM Manmohan Singh on his 91 st birthday. PM Modi took to X (Formerly twitter) and wrote birthday wishes to former PM Dr Manmohan Singh Ji. He prayed for his good health and long life. Kharge wrote on X (formerly twitter) he extended his best wishes to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh ji. He is a rare example of grace, dignity and grace in politics. Kharge said the nation is grateful for his tremendous contribution to the nation.
Rahul Gandhi posted on X former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji’s economic upliftment of the masses, unwavering commitment to nation building and integrity will always remain an inspiration for him. He wished him happiness and good health on his birthday.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra greeted Singh on his birthday. She wished Manmohan Singh Ji a very very Happy Birthday. She said as a leader he showed her the value of humility and patience in politics. She added as a Prime Minister his wisdom, vision, courage and his honesty made the way for the country to move ahead in the 21st century with pride and self assurance. She said she always had deep respect for him.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin greeted Manmohan Singh on his birthday. He wrote on X (formerly twitter) birthday greetings to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh! As PM his leadership during the global financial crises and his commitment to inclusive policies reshaped India’s future. He said his humble, intellectual and composed approach serves as an example and provides valuable lessons for leadership in every era. His legacy of stability and progress endures. Dr Manmohan Singh was the two time Prime Minister during the 2004 to 2014. He attended the Parliament’s Special Session on a wheel chair.
Latest Politics News
Lok Sabha elections 2024: AIADMK cuts ties with BJP, NDA, to contest alone
AIADMK deputy coordinator K P Munusamy stated that the state leadership of the BJP has been continuously making unnecessary remarks about their former leaders, their general secretary EPS and their cadres for the past one year.
In a major setback to the BJP-led NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK on Monday announced that it is breaking the alliance with the BJP. The AIADMK unanimously passed a party resolution in this regard.
Announcing the decision, AIADMK deputy coordinator K P Munusamy said the BJP state leadership has been continuously making unnecessary remarks about their former leaders, their general secretary Edapaddi Palaniswami and their cadres for the past one year.
The decision to part ways follows months of speculation over the strained relationship between the AIADMK and the BJP. Notably, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai had repeatedly commented against AIADMK leaders and that did not earn him any wrath as the BJP was seemingly okay with Annamalai’s assault on the AIADMK leadership.
As far as reports are concerned, even though the AIADMK’s relationship with Annamalai had not been smooth for more than a year, the latter’s observations on DMK founder CN Annadurai, the AIADMK is a breakway from the DMK and founded by MG Ramachandran after Annadurai’s death, for the last couple of weeks had provoked the latest round of spat between the two parties.
AIADMK spokesperson D Jayakumar termed Annamalai a destructive pest for his comments on Annadurai and this back and forth between the two allies clouded their future. The decision was welcomed by AIADMK party workers and they celebrated the announcement by bursting crackers in Chennai.
This break-up was developing in the background when Palaniswami met Amit Shah on September 14. Following that, an AIADMK delegation made a trip to Delhi where they are believed to have discussed the alliance issue with BJP chief JP Nadda and BJP leader Piyush Goyal.
As per reports, these trips did not come up with any positive results as the BJP national leadership did not intervene in the state-level feud. Meanwhile, the AIADMK is not part of the opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, which is supported by the DMK. The AIADMK affirmed on Monday that it will lead a separate front in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
