The Congress’ resurgence coincides with high voter turnout in the constituencies where it won, in a Lok Sabha election that has reported an overall dip in votes cast from 2019. While the vote share per candidate is yet to be made public by the Election Commission, it is clear that of the nearly 100 seats where the Congress has scored victory, most seats reported a high voter turnout of 6570% or more. As many as 68 of the 98 seats where the Congress was leading prominently or seen winning on the counting day have reported a voter turnout of over 65%, EC data show. Of these, 38 posted a turnout of more than 70% — from 92% at Dhubri in Assam that elected Rakibul Hussain with a margin of 9.5 lakh votes, to 84% in Lakshadweep. Wayanad, which Rahul Gandhi won with a 3.6 lakh vote margin, reported a 73.5% voter turnout. Pradyut Bordoloi retained his seat in Nagaon which reported a near 85% voter turnout. In BJP stronghold Gujarat, Geniben Nagaji Thakor of the Congress broke through and won the party its sole Lok Sabha seat in Banaskantha, which reported a near 70% turnout. Inner Manipur, with its 80% turnout, brought in Congress’ Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. Even overall trends on turnout bear out this pattern. When seen conversely, of the 58 seats across the seven phases which reported a poor voter turnout – lower than 55% – only seven have gone with the Congress while as many as 30 have been won by the BJP. BJP’s Vivek Thakur won Nawada in Bihar which posted a 43% turnout, while Ravi Shankar Prasad scored a victory in Patna Sahib where only about 46% voters turned out to vote. Ajay Tamta of the BJP scored victory in Almora in Uttarakhand which recorded a 48.7% turnout. In all, among the ten constituencies which reported the lowest turnout, six have gone to BJP. In contrast, three of the ten constituencies with highest turnout have gone to the Congress, while the TDP has won four. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesThe BJP has only one of these ten — Bishnupur in West Bengal which recorded an 85% turnout where BJP’s Soumitra Khan had a 6,000plus lead Tuesday night. For the Congress, votecount wise, after Rakibul Hussain’s 9.5 lakh lead in Dhubri, Sasikanth Senthil has a lead of 5.5 lakh margin in Tiruvallur. In Rohtak, Deepender Singh Hooda was leading with a near 3.4 lakh margin. Kumar Selja recorded a 2.6 lakh margin win in Sirsa, while Hibi Eden retained Ernakulam with a 2.5 lakh margin. However, while there is a clearly high voter turnout in seats wrested by the Congress, there is a question that arises on the female voters and its support to the grand old party
Tag: Election Commission
-
Byelections in 26 ACs across India; 6 Himachal Congress rebels' seats to go on polls on June 1
Byelections in 26 ACs across India; 6 Himachal Congress rebels' seats to go on polls on June 1
-
Big Jolt To Sharad Pawar As EC Says Ajit Pawar-Led Faction Is ‘Real’ NCP |
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday dealt a major blow to the faction helmed by veteran Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar by settling the dispute within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in favor of the faction led by his nephew and state’s deputy chief. minister Ajit Pawar. According to the sources, the poll panel has given the Nationalist Congress Party name and symbol to the faction led by Ajit Pawar in a significant decision that is likely to have a bearing on the upcoming polls. The Election Commission also provided the Sharad Pawar faction with a one-time option to choose a name for its new political entity and provide three preferences to the poll body. The concession is to be utilized by 3 pm on February 7, 2024, the poll body said.
EC settles the dispute in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), rules in favor of the faction led by Ajit Pawar, after more than 10 hearings spread over more than 6 months.
Election Commission of India provides a one-time option to claim a name for its new political formation… pic.twitter.com/1BU5jW3tcR — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2024
Welcoming the EC decision, Ajit Pawar faction leader Praful Patel said, “We welcome the ruling of the Election Commission…We live in a democracy and any decision can be challenged. Maybe attempts will be made to challenge this at the Supreme Court or High Court…All I would like to say is that the decision we made was correct and through EC, our decision has been proven correct.”
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also congratulated NCP leader Ajit Pawar after ECI ruled the NCP name and symbol matter in favor of his faction.
However, Sharad Pawar’s daughter and MP Supriya Sule said, “…Our documents were fine. The founder member and founder leader of this party is only Sharad Pawar…But now the atmosphere is something else right now. There is an ‘ adrishya shakti’ in the country which is doing all this. We will fight…We will definitely go to Supreme Court…”
She went on to add, ”…I think what happened with Shiv Sena is what is happening with us today. So, this is not a new order. Just the names have been changed but the content is the same…”
Celebrations At Ajit Pawar’s Mumbai Office
Celebrations began outside Ajit Pawar’s office in Mumbai soon after the EC ruled in favor of their faction.
EC Decision Shakes Up NCP Dynamics
The decision, announced on Tuesday, not only grants legitimacy to the Ajit Pawar faction but also bestows upon it the coveted NCP name and symbol, setting the stage for upcoming electoral contests. Facing a tight deadline, the Sharad Pawar-led faction has been offered a one-time opportunity to christen its new political entity and submit three preferred names to the Commission by February 7, 2024, by 3 pm.
EC Verdict After More Than 10 Hearings
Following an exhaustive process spanning over six months and encompassing more than ten hearings, the EC meticulously weighed the merits of both factions’ contentions.
Prolonged Legal Battle In Court
The legal battle witnessed formidable representation from luminaries such as Mukul Rohatgi, Neeraj Kishan Kaul, and Maninder Singh for the petitioner, countered by the expertise of Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Devdatt Kamat from the respondent camp.
Central to the EC’s decision was the determination of the faction holding sway over the party’s legislative wing, which ultimately favored the Ajit Pawar-led contingent. Serious discrepancies in the Sharad Pawar faction’s claims, particularly regarding organizational majority and adherence to the party constitution, undermined the credibility of their assertions. Given the imminent Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra, the EC has extended a special allowance to the Sharad Pawar faction, urging compliance with electoral regulations.
EC Seeks Transparency In Political Processes
In a broader admonition, the Commission urged political entities to embrace transparency in their internal affairs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive disclosures regarding organizational elections and democratic procedures.
Call For Public Disclosure
Proposing voluntary public disclosures, including party constitutions, electoral procedures, and office-bearer lists on party websites, the EC seeks to empower the electorate with crucial information, thereby enriching the democratic process.
-
Ahead of upcomig state polls, Election Commission pushes for eco-friendly campaigns
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Ahead of meeting polls in 5 states, the Election Commission has expressed concern over the usage of non-biodegradable supplies for campaigning and urged political events to keep away from plastic and polythene for making posters and banners.
The ballot panel has come out with consolidated directions issued by it from 1999 onwards on making election marketing campaign “eco-friendly”.
In a letter to presidents of all recognised nationwide and state events on August 18, the ballot panel stated, “In today’s world, the environmental concerns have become more significant. Election Commission is also very concerned with the issue of environment hazards caused by use of non-biodegradable materials in elections.”
The fee identified that since 1999, it has been urging all political events and candidates to keep away from the usage of plastic and polythene for preparation of posters, banners throughout election marketing campaign.
“Protecting the environment is not an individual task but a collective responsibility and hence the Election Commission urges all the political parties to avoid the use of plastic/polythene and similar non-biodegradable materials for preparation of posters, banners during election campaign in the interest of environment and human health,” the letter stated.
In one in every of its directions issued in February, 2019, the ballot panel had stated that a whole lot of the campaigning materials together with posters, cut-outs, hoardings, banners, and political ads is product of plastic.
After the elections, the campaigning materials is discarded and turns into waste.
“Such single-use plastic waste generated during campaigning does not get collected and causes choking of drainage and river systems, ingestion by stray animals…leading to adverse impacts on human health and environment,” it had famous.
It cautioned that a few of these plastics are poly vinyl chloride (PVC) based mostly, which produces poisonous emissions on burning.
“A number of alternative options to use of plastic in campaigning material are available such as compostable plastics, natural fabrics, and recycled paper material, which have a lesser environmental impact. Such materials need to be promoted as a sustainable and environmentally sound management practice,” it had stated.
NEW DELHI: Ahead of meeting polls in 5 states, the Election Commission has expressed concern over the usage of non-biodegradable supplies for campaigning and urged political events to keep away from plastic and polythene for making posters and banners.
The ballot panel has come out with consolidated directions issued by it from 1999 onwards on making election marketing campaign “eco-friendly”.
In a letter to presidents of all recognised nationwide and state events on August 18, the ballot panel stated, “In today’s world, the environmental concerns have become more significant. Election Commission is also very concerned with the issue of environment hazards caused by use of non-biodegradable materials in elections.”googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );
The fee identified that since 1999, it has been urging all political events and candidates to keep away from the usage of plastic and polythene for preparation of posters, banners throughout election marketing campaign.
“Protecting the environment is not an individual task but a collective responsibility and hence the Election Commission urges all the political parties to avoid the use of plastic/polythene and similar non-biodegradable materials for preparation of posters, banners during election campaign in the interest of environment and human health,” the letter stated.
In one in every of its directions issued in February, 2019, the ballot panel had stated that a whole lot of the campaigning materials together with posters, cut-outs, hoardings, banners, and political ads is product of plastic.
After the elections, the campaigning materials is discarded and turns into waste.
“Such single-use plastic waste generated during campaigning does not get collected and causes choking of drainage and river systems, ingestion by stray animals…leading to adverse impacts on human health and environment,” it had famous.
It cautioned that a few of these plastics are poly vinyl chloride (PVC) based mostly, which produces poisonous emissions on burning.
“A number of alternative options to use of plastic in campaigning material are available such as compostable plastics, natural fabrics, and recycled paper material, which have a lesser environmental impact. Such materials need to be promoted as a sustainable and environmentally sound management practice,” it had stated.
-
After Covid-induced break, EC restarts overview of recognised social gathering standing; hears 3 nationwide, 6 state events
By PTI
NEW DELHI: After a halt because of the Covid pandemic, the Election Commission (EC) has restarted the method of reviewing the recognised standing of political events primarily based on their efficiency within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and has given particular person hearings to NCP and CPI, two of the eight recognised nationwide events.
EC sources stated TMC was additionally known as. When requested whether or not he had represented his social gathering earlier than the EC on Thursday, TMC MP Sukhendu Shekar Ray replied within the detrimental.
The fee has additionally heard six recognised state events primarily based on paras 6A, B and C of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The paragraphs cope with standards for events to get nationwide or state social gathering standing.
After the 2019 parliamentary polls, the EC had issued notices to TMC, CPI and NCP, asking why their standing shouldn’t be downgraded primarily based on the end result of the overall election. However, the method couldn’t transfer ahead because of the pandemic. In November final yr, the ballot panel revived the method.
On Tuesday, it heard the response of the Nationalist Congress Party and the CPI.
“It is a routine exercise. We gave a written representation to EC explaining that we are the oldest political party and have been taking part in parliamentary democracy, formed government on its own in Kerala and have been part of many coalition governments,” CPI basic secretary D Raja stated.
An NCP consultant had submitted particulars to EC officers. A senior social gathering chief described the discover as a “routine matter”.
“It is an ongoing process that is carried out after every election. Things might have changed for some parties after the recent assembly polls in three states. After Karnataka polls, things could change for other parties,” defined a celebration functionary. Earlier, the Election Commission heard six state events to hunt their views on the notices.
These are Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Mizoram Peoples Conference, Rashtriya Lok Dal, People’s Democratic Alliance, Pattali Makkal Katchi and Revolutionary Socialist Party.
A recognised nationwide social gathering can contest on all Lok Sabha and meeting seats on its image. It additionally will get to subject extra star campaigners for electioneering.
BJP, BSP, CPI, CPI-M, Congress, TMC, NCP and National People’s Party are the eight recognised nationwide events. There are over 50 recognised state events.
NEW DELHI: After a halt because of the Covid pandemic, the Election Commission (EC) has restarted the method of reviewing the recognised standing of political events primarily based on their efficiency within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and has given particular person hearings to NCP and CPI, two of the eight recognised nationwide events.
EC sources stated TMC was additionally known as. When requested whether or not he had represented his social gathering earlier than the EC on Thursday, TMC MP Sukhendu Shekar Ray replied within the detrimental.
The fee has additionally heard six recognised state events primarily based on paras 6A, B and C of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The paragraphs cope with standards for events to get nationwide or state social gathering standing.googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );
After the 2019 parliamentary polls, the EC had issued notices to TMC, CPI and NCP, asking why their standing shouldn’t be downgraded primarily based on the end result of the overall election. However, the method couldn’t transfer ahead because of the pandemic. In November final yr, the ballot panel revived the method.
On Tuesday, it heard the response of the Nationalist Congress Party and the CPI.
“It is a routine exercise. We gave a written representation to EC explaining that we are the oldest political party and have been taking part in parliamentary democracy, formed government on its own in Kerala and have been part of many coalition governments,” CPI basic secretary D Raja stated.
An NCP consultant had submitted particulars to EC officers. A senior social gathering chief described the discover as a “routine matter”.
“It is an ongoing process that is carried out after every election. Things might have changed for some parties after the recent assembly polls in three states. After Karnataka polls, things could change for other parties,” defined a celebration functionary. Earlier, the Election Commission heard six state events to hunt their views on the notices.
These are Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Mizoram Peoples Conference, Rashtriya Lok Dal, People’s Democratic Alliance, Pattali Makkal Katchi and Revolutionary Socialist Party.
A recognised nationwide social gathering can contest on all Lok Sabha and meeting seats on its image. It additionally will get to subject extra star campaigners for electioneering.
BJP, BSP, CPI, CPI-M, Congress, TMC, NCP and National People’s Party are the eight recognised nationwide events. There are over 50 recognised state events.
-
Shiv Sena workplace in Parliament House allotted to Eknath Shinde-led faction: LS Secretariat
Thereafter on February 18, Shewale had written to the Lok Sabha Secretariat looking for allotment of the workplace for the celebration.
-
Shiv Sena workplace in Parliament House allotted to Eknath Shinde-led faction
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has allotted the Shiv Sena workplace in Parliament House to the Eknath Shinde-led faction after the Election Commission’s choice to recognise the group as the actual Shiv Sena.
Responding to a letter written by Shinde faction’s ground chief Rahul Shewalae, the Lok Sabha Secretariat mentioned the designated room for the Sena workplace within the Parliament constructing has been allotted to the celebration.
The ballot panel had final week recognised the Shinde faction as the unique Shiv Sena, permitting it to make use of the “bow and arrow” image in elections virtually denying Uddhav Thackeray a declare on the celebration his father, Bal Thackeray, based in 1966.
Thereafter on February 18, Shewale had written to the Lok Sabha Secretariat searching for allotment of the workplace for the celebration.
So far, each factions have been utilizing the Shiv Sena workplace within the Parliament House.
ALSO READ | Shiv Sena legislative celebration workplace at Vidhan Bhavan belongs to us: Shinde faction chief whip
NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has allotted the Shiv Sena workplace in Parliament House to the Eknath Shinde-led faction after the Election Commission’s choice to recognise the group as the actual Shiv Sena.
Responding to a letter written by Shinde faction’s ground chief Rahul Shewalae, the Lok Sabha Secretariat mentioned the designated room for the Sena workplace within the Parliament constructing has been allotted to the celebration.
The ballot panel had final week recognised the Shinde faction as the unique Shiv Sena, permitting it to make use of the “bow and arrow” image in elections virtually denying Uddhav Thackeray a declare on the celebration his father, Bal Thackeray, based in 1966.
Thereafter on February 18, Shewale had written to the Lok Sabha Secretariat searching for allotment of the workplace for the celebration.
So far, each factions have been utilizing the Shiv Sena workplace within the Parliament House.
ALSO READ | Shiv Sena legislative celebration workplace at Vidhan Bhavan belongs to us: Shinde faction chief whip
-
Tripura violence: Election Commission orders removing of three cops
By Express News Service
GUWAHATI: The Election Commission (EC) has issued orders for the fast suspension and removing of a sub-divisional police officer and the removing of the officers-in-charge of two police stations in after political violence erupted in election-bound Tripura.
The miscreants, allegedly BJP supporters, had attacked Congress employees throughout a motorbike rally at Jirania in West Tripura district on January 18 AICC Tripura in-charge Ajoy Kumar had sustained minor accidents. The three cops didn’t take “appropriate action” on time, the EC mentioned.
The AICC had on Thursday taken up the matter with the EC and the Commission requested the Tripura chief secretary and director common of police to elucidate why the scenario escalated regardless of a enough variety of CAPF personnel deployed within the state.
READ HERE | ECI seeks report on incidents of poll-related violence from Tripura Chief Secretary, DGP
“CS & DGP were directed to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and initiate strict action against partisan officers,” the EC mentioned in a press release on Friday.
The Commission had additionally directed the duo to right away assess the risk notion to the leaders of varied political events within the state and supply safety as per the risk notion with out additional delay.
Meanwhile, the EC deputed three Special Observers – Yogendra Tripathy, Vivek Johri and B Murali Kumar.
They have been requested to proceed to the state instantly to take inventory of the scenario, guarantee correct deployment of CAPF, intensify enforcement measures and report back to the Commission.
GUWAHATI: The Election Commission (EC) has issued orders for the fast suspension and removing of a sub-divisional police officer and the removing of the officers-in-charge of two police stations in after political violence erupted in election-bound Tripura.
The miscreants, allegedly BJP supporters, had attacked Congress employees throughout a motorbike rally at Jirania in West Tripura district on January 18 AICC Tripura in-charge Ajoy Kumar had sustained minor accidents. The three cops didn’t take “appropriate action” on time, the EC mentioned.
The AICC had on Thursday taken up the matter with the EC and the Commission requested the Tripura chief secretary and director common of police to elucidate why the scenario escalated regardless of a enough variety of CAPF personnel deployed within the state.
READ HERE | ECI seeks report on incidents of poll-related violence from Tripura Chief Secretary, DGP
“CS & DGP were directed to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and initiate strict action against partisan officers,” the EC mentioned in a press release on Friday.
The Commission had additionally directed the duo to right away assess the risk notion to the leaders of varied political events within the state and supply safety as per the risk notion with out additional delay.
Meanwhile, the EC deputed three Special Observers – Yogendra Tripathy, Vivek Johri and B Murali Kumar.
They have been requested to proceed to the state instantly to take inventory of the scenario, guarantee correct deployment of CAPF, intensify enforcement measures and report back to the Commission.
-
Allahabad High Court reserves order over OBC quota subject in UP city native our bodies
Express News Service
LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Saturday reserved its verdict on the difficulty of city native physique polls due in Uttar Pradesh this yr’s finish. The bench had restricted the state Election Commission from saying the notification of the polls.
The division bench, comprising Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Saurabh Lavania, accomplished the listening to on the bunch of PILs difficult the OBC reservation fastened by the state authorities inwards mayoral and municipality chairman seats.
On Saturday, when the court docket determined to proceed listening to the petitions over civic polls regardless of the graduation of winter holidays, the petitioners’ lawyer LP Mishra addressed the court docket at size. Thereafter, Additional Chief Standing Counsel Amitabh Rai argued the matter intimately on behalf of the state authorities. Rai mentioned that the speedy survey was nearly as good as that of triple take a look at components.
The frequent chorus of the petitioners was that the state authorities had reserved 4 of the 17 mayoral seats for OBC with out following the triple take a look at norm. In reality, mayoral seats in Aligarh, Mathura-Vrindavan, Meerut and Prayagraj are reserved for OBC. While Aligarh and Mathura-Vrindavan have been reserved for OBC ladies, the latter two are for OBC candidates usually.
During the course of listening to, the state authorities submitted that it had selected the proposed OBC quota in Urban Civic Bodies on the idea of the survey performed forward of 2017 city native physique elections within the state.
The state authorities additionally claimed that 2017 survey might be thought-about as the idea for the proposed quota in city civic our bodies at present because it had adhered to the apex court docket’s mandate of triple take a look at in 2017 whereas fixing the quota subject.
While reserving its order on Saturday, the bench prima facie appeared reluctant to simply accept the plea of the state authorities. The remaining order over the petitions shall be delivered on December 27.
LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Saturday reserved its verdict on the difficulty of city native physique polls due in Uttar Pradesh this yr’s finish. The bench had restricted the state Election Commission from saying the notification of the polls.
The division bench, comprising Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Saurabh Lavania, accomplished the listening to on the bunch of PILs difficult the OBC reservation fastened by the state authorities inwards mayoral and municipality chairman seats.
On Saturday, when the court docket determined to proceed listening to the petitions over civic polls regardless of the graduation of winter holidays, the petitioners’ lawyer LP Mishra addressed the court docket at size. Thereafter, Additional Chief Standing Counsel Amitabh Rai argued the matter intimately on behalf of the state authorities. Rai mentioned that the speedy survey was nearly as good as that of triple take a look at components.
The frequent chorus of the petitioners was that the state authorities had reserved 4 of the 17 mayoral seats for OBC with out following the triple take a look at norm. In reality, mayoral seats in Aligarh, Mathura-Vrindavan, Meerut and Prayagraj are reserved for OBC. While Aligarh and Mathura-Vrindavan have been reserved for OBC ladies, the latter two are for OBC candidates usually.
During the course of listening to, the state authorities submitted that it had selected the proposed OBC quota in Urban Civic Bodies on the idea of the survey performed forward of 2017 city native physique elections within the state.
The state authorities additionally claimed that 2017 survey might be thought-about as the idea for the proposed quota in city civic our bodies at present because it had adhered to the apex court docket’s mandate of triple take a look at in 2017 whereas fixing the quota subject.
While reserving its order on Saturday, the bench prima facie appeared reluctant to simply accept the plea of the state authorities. The remaining order over the petitions shall be delivered on December 27.