Tag: poll

Categories
-Top News Europe UK News

UK govt taking poll interference threats seriously, says Shapps

A report by US software company Microsoft in November last year said Russia, Iran and China were likely to engage in sophisticated influence and interference efforts before the 2024 US election and other polls…reports Asian Lite News

The UK is taking threats of foreign interference elections expected later this year “very seriously”, the defence minister said on Sunday, after a warning from a counter-terrorism official.

“Obviously, that’s something that we take very seriously,” Shapps told the Sky News channel. Counter-terrorism bodies and other institutions would “be looking very carefully at that”, he said.

UK counter-terrorism chief Matt Jukes said Friday that the espionage threat from foreign states — such as China, Russia and Iran — is greater now than it has been “since the days of the Cold War”.

He said the police had set up a new unit to counter the threats of interference ahead of the election, which is expected to be called later this year. “We are talking about parts of the state apparatus of Iran, China and Russia,” Jukes said.

A report by US software company Microsoft in November last year said Russia, Iran and China were likely to engage in sophisticated influence and interference efforts before the 2024 US election and other polls.

All three countries were expected to seek to shape geopolitical outcomes in their favour amid major ongoing or potential regional conflicts, the report said. Interference bids are likely to take place on online platforms than those targeted in 2016 and 2020 polls.

The counter-terrorism chief also warned that conflict in the Middle East had led to a surge in Islamist activity and that the UK was facing “a radicalisation moment”. He said there had been a 25 per cent increase in information flowing through police systems about terrorism and violent extremism.

The unit would use powers granted by the National Security Act passed in July to  make it harder for countries to spy and interfere in the political process, he said.

“We are talking about parts of the state apparatus of Iran, China and Russia,” Jukes said.

A report by US software company Microsoft in November last year said Russia, Iran and China were likely to engage in sophisticated influence and interference efforts ahead of the 2024 US presidential election and in other pivotal elections worldwide.

All three countries were expected to seek to shape geopolitical outcomes in their favour amid major ongoing or potential regional conflicts, the report said.

Interference efforts were  likely to take place on different online platforms than those targeted in elections in 2016 and 2020.

The counter-terrorism chief also warned that conflict in the Middle East had led to a surge in Islamist activity and that the United Kingdom was facing “a radicalisation moment”.

He said there had been a 25 percent increase in information flowing through police systems about terrorism and violent extremism, “a significant increase” on “usual levels”.

“We always see spikes after terrorist incidents but what we’ve seen since October 7 has been a spike which is higher and more sustained than ever before,” Jukes said in comments to local media.

“I would describe the speed and the scale of the impact of those global events as extraordinary.”

ALSO READ-Storm Isha pummels UK

Categories
India News

Congress Gears Up for Poll Campaign on Feb 3

AIIMS announced a half-day closure of its offices and institutions on January 22, 2024, as Ram Lalla ‘Pran Pratishtha’ at Ayodhya will be celebrated across India…reports Asian Lite News

Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely divulged on Sunday that the grand old party will start its Lok Sabha campaign on February 3 from Delhi and said that the day will be observed as ‘Pledge Day’ to safeguard the democratic structure of the country.

Without specifically mentioning the party from whom they want to safeguard the country, he said, “On the 3rd of this February, Congress is starting its Lok Sabha election campaign from Delhi, and on that day, we are observing a pledge day. All Congress workers, along with our national leader Maikarjun Kharge, will pledge to uproot the party that is attempting to weaken the foundation of democracy in this country.”

In response to questions about seat-sharing and an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Lovely stated, “See, the Aam Aadmi Party is a definite partner in the alliance. Whatever decision the high command makes in the alliance will be acceptable to the people of Delhi. However, we are gearing up to contest on 7 seats, a positive development for us.”

On the Delhi government’s three-day Ramilia programme and AAP organising a Shobhayatra in Delhi on the day of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, Lovely said, “It’s a good thing that the entire government is celebrating Lord Ram’s day. I hope they continue to celebrate it not just tomorrow but in the future as well.”

Regarding the decision by AIIMS to reverse its shutdown on January 22, Lovely, emphasised, “The basic principles of the Congress are rooted in honesty and are based on the ideals of Ram Rajya, where people of all castes and religions live with love and equality. If we embrace the virtues of Lord Ram in our lives, half of the country’s problems will naturally be resolved. Instead of engaging in politics amid all this, it is more prudent to symbolise faith in Lord Ram. There can be no discord between faith and politics in this matter.”

Earlier, the AIIMS announced a half-day closure of its offices and institutions on January 22, 2024, as Ram Lalla ‘Pran Pratishtha’ at Ayodhya will be celebrated across India.

Responding to the hate and attack faced by the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,’ Lovely, stated, “On one hand, you talk about being a worshipper of Lord Ram, and on the other, opposing the journey of love and affection–how is this in line with the ideals of Lord Ram?” (ANI)

ALSO READ-US Congress Greenlight Stopgap Budget

Categories
-Top News Politics USA

Trump Barred from Re-election Ballot for Insurrection

The ruling came under Amendment 14 of the US constitution that bars people engaging in insurrection from running for president…reports Asian Lite News

Donald Trump became the first former or incumbent American President to be struck off the re-election ballot for insurrection. In other words he is not fit to run for election.

This is yet another first for the former President who has notched up several ignoble firsts: only US President — once in office and then out — to be impeached twice, criminally charged with mishandling classified papers, trying to overturn an electoral outcome.

In a decision that’s being historic, the Colorado Supreme Court barred Trump from running in the state’s presidential primary ruling he had engaged in insurrection on January 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters invaded the US Congress — at this urging and direction — to prevent lawmakers from certifying Joe Biden as the next President, which is a procedural formality of the presidential election process. He is facing upwards of 90 charges in a medley of cases brought against him by federal and state authorities.

“A majority of the court holds that President Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution,” the court ruling read.

“Because he is disqualified, it would be a wrongful act under the Election Code for the Colorado Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on the presidential primary ballot.”

The ruling came under Amendment 14 of the US constitution that bars people engaging in insurrection from running for president.

“No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the US, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the US, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the US, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability, says Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Three of the seven members of the bench dissented and the case for disqualifying Trump on this very ground has been rejected by two states.

The Trump campaign has said it will appeal the ruling.

ALSO READ-Nikki Haley Emerges as Top GOP Alternative to Trump

Categories
-Top News USA

Trump Edges Ahead of Biden in 2024 Presidential Poll

When five potential third-party and independent candidates are included, drawing a combined 17 per cent support, Trump’s lead expands to six points, 37-31, The Guardian reported…reports Asian Lite News

Donald Trump has nudged ahead of Joe Biden in national polling for the 2024 presidential election, a survey revealed, a day after the US president branded his predecessor as “despicable” at an event in California, the media reported.

The Wall Street Journal poll shows Biden with the lowest approval rating of his presidency, a finding broadly in line with other recent studies that have sparked concern in Democratic circles less than a year before voters go to the polls.

It shows Trump leading Biden by four points, 47 per cent to 43 per cent, the first time this survey has shown that the former US president is favored in a head-to-head test of the likely 2024 White House matchup, the WSJ said.

When five potential third-party and independent candidates are included, drawing a combined 17 per cent support, Trump’s lead expands to six points, 37-31, The Guardian reported.

Although Biden has expressed his desire to run for a second term, many in the Democratic party would like to see him stand down, fearing his advancing age – 81 on election day and 86 after eight years in the White House if he wins next year – will turn off voters.

The indictment of the president’s son, Hunter Biden, in California on Thursday on nine criminal tax charges places additional obstacles in his path to re-election, The Guardian reported.

ALSO READ-Biden Stresses ‘Critical Need To Protect Civilians’

Categories
India News Politics

Foreign Envoys to Visit MP to See BJP Poll Campaign

The BJP highlighted that this initiative is in line with its ongoing efforts to engage with the international diplomatic community and showcase the dynamics of its election campaign…reports Asian Lite News

With only three days left of campaigning in Madhya Pradesh, a tripartite delegation of foreign diplomats currently stationed in New Delhi is scheduled to visit Indore on November 14-15, immersing themselves in and gaining firsthand insights into the electoral strategies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as revealed by the party on Monday. The delegation comprises Michael Rees, the second secretary at the Australian High Commission, Bazil M Lyakinana, minister plenipotentiary specialising in consular affairs at the High Commission of Tanzania, and Mayumi Tsubakimoto, the second secretary at the Japanese Embassy.

The chosen city for this diplomatic exploration is Indore, situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh, where the electoral atmosphere is vibrant in anticipation of the upcoming assembly polls on November 17. The BJP highlighted that this initiative is in line with its ongoing efforts to engage with the international diplomatic community and showcase the dynamics of its election campaign.

The BJP further noted that a precedent for such diplomatic engagement was set during the assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat in November and December 2022. Similar delegations comprising representatives from diplomatic missions of countries such as Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, and Singapore had visited these states to closely observe and assess the BJP’s election campaign strategies.

This diplomatic exchange is part of the larger “Know BJP” initiative, a program launched by the party’s national president, J P Nadda, on its 43rd foundation day. The initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding among the international community about the BJP’s political ideology, electoral strategies, and governance principles.

Meanwhile, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be addressing three public meetings and also hold a roadshow in the state on Monday. The Congress leader will reach Neemuch district of the state and will address his first public meeting in Deekan Jawad at 11.15 a.m. He will then address his second public meeting in Harda district’s Timarni area at 3 p.m.

The Congress leader will then hold a roadshow in Bhopal around 5 p.m.

According to party leaders, his roadshow will start from Imami gate and pass by the areas of Bhopal Uttar to Kali Mandir Chowraha, Bhopal Madhya covering a distance of 1.8 km. Then he will address his last public meeting of the day at 6.30 p.m. at Narmada Chauraha area in Bhopal.

Polling for the 230-member Assembly is scheduled on November 17 and counting of votes will take place on December 3. The campaigning will stop on November 15 at 5 p.m. The Congress is campaigning aggressively in the state and has also announced several guarantees for the people if voted to power. The Congress is eyeing a comeback in the state. 

ALSO READ-BJP’s Power Trio to Rally in Rajasthan This Week

Categories
-Top News India News PAKISTAN

Pak Poll Body Suggests Changes to Election Rules

The commission has also proposed to change the rules related to postal ballots, the postal ballots will be sealed in separate packets and sent to respective ROs…reports Asian Lite News

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has proposed 18 amendments to the election rules in line with the amendments to the elections act introduced by the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led coalition government, Dawn reported on Sunday.

Dawn is a Pakistan-based English newspaper.

Dawn reported that the commission has sought suggestions for the proposed changes till October 7 and will later make a final decision.

According to the notification, the candidate will have to open a separate bank account for election expenses or allocate the existing account, while the joint account of the candidate participating in the election will not be acceptable.

The Pakistan-based news daily reported that the Returning officers (ROs) will provide results to candidates at the respective district election commission office.

The commission has also proposed to change the rules related to postal ballots, the postal ballots will be sealed in separate packets and sent to respective ROs.

If the postal ballot is not received by the relevant RO before the election day, the votes will not be included in the count.

According to the proposed changes to the rules, the RO will hand over the results in the presence of candidates, and the RO will compile and seal forms 47, 48, 49 for the results.

The candidate will be obliged to provide complete details of election expenses and financial expenditures on the election campaign. According to the proposed rules, candidates will be obliged to open a separate bank account before submitting the nomination papers.

The amount of PKR 1 lakh has been fixed for filing a petition related to the election which will be decided in 180 days. Similarly, a fine of PKR 10,000 to PKR 50,000 will be imposed for seeking adjournment during the hearing.

Also, political parties would be required to share intra-party polls schedule with the ECP 15 days before the election, the ECP notification said. Under the proposed rules, political parties will have to submit details after seven days of the intra-party election.

The nomination fee will be non-refundable, and the amount will be deposited in the government treasury.

According to the ECP, if another person spends money on the election campaign of a candidate, the candidate will also need to provide all the records of the financier’s identity, types of expenses and sources of income, reported Dawn News.

The commission will reconcile the sum of expenses recorded in Forms C, 67 and 68 within the permissible limit of the election expenses of the returned candidate. In the amendments being introduced in the election rules, it has been said the penalty imposed on political parties will be deposited in the government treasury. Political parties will also have to provide details of those who contribute more than Rs1 million in the party fund.

Dawn news reported, details of the candidate’s immovable property within the country and abroad, as well as assets purchased, will also be disclosed. In addition to this, information about the candidate’s vehicles, jewellery, bank deposits and cash on hand will also be submitted on the form. The

RO will open the rejected votes in the presence of the candidate and the election agent, and the RO will prepare and seal the interim and final results on Forms 47, 48, and 49. (ANI)

ALSO READ-India, Pakistan Attend Meeting on Indus Waters Treaty

Categories
-Top News UK News

Raab to stand down as MP at next polls

The findings prompted Mr Raab to step down, but in his resignation letter he noted that the inquiry “dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me”…reports Asian Lite News

Former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab will stand down as an MP at the next election. His decision, first reported in The Telegraph, comes a month after he resigned as a minister when a bullying inquiry found he had acted in an “intimidating” way towards officials.

The paper quotes Mr Raab as saying he is concerned about “the pressure the job has placed on my young family”. Raab and his wife have two sons, aged 10 and eight. Since becoming an MP in 2010, Mr Raab has served in many ministerial roles.

In 2018 then-prime minister Theresa May appointed him as Brexit secretary, a job he quit less than six months later. Boris Johnson picked him to be his foreign secretary and first secretary of state – the latter role meant he was left in charge of running the country when Mr Johnson was hospitalised with Covid in April 2020.

Raab has also been a close ally of Rishi Sunak, supporting him in last summer’s Conservative leadership race. Sunak rewarded his loyalty when he became prime minister, making Mr Raab both his justice secretary and deputy prime minister.

Raab confirmed that he would not seek re-election as the MP for Esher and Walton, which he has represented since 2010 and won with a majority of 2,743 votes in 2019. In a letter from Raab to his constituency, seen by the Telegraph, the MP said it had been a “huge honour to represent the Conservatives since 2010 in this wonderful constituency”.

His departure from Parliament means the Conservatives will have to find a new candidate for the Surrey constituency – which is a key election target for the Liberal Democrats. Raab joins a growing number of senior Conservatives deciding not to stand in the next general election, expected in 2024.

Former ministers including Sajid Javid and George Eustice have also announced their intention to leave the House of Commons. Raab was at the centre of months of speculation when bullying allegations from civil servants led to an inquiry into the MP’s conduct.

The report – conducted by senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC – concluded Mr Raab had engaged in an “abuse or misuse of power” as foreign secretary.

The findings prompted Mr Raab to step down, but in his resignation letter he noted that the inquiry “dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me”.

He also said the inquiry was “flawed and sets a dangerous precedent” and would “encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government – and ultimately the British people”.

Responding to his decision to quit as an MP, fellow Conservative Angela Richardson tweeted: “His constituents will miss his dedication. I am happy for his young family though. This job is tough enough on family life as a simple backbencher, let alone being in Cabinet.”

ALSO READ-Dowden appointed Sunak’s deputy after Raab’s exit

Categories
-Top News India News

K’taka suspense ends, Siddaramaiah next CM

The party source said that the swearing-in ceremony will take place on May 20 in Bengaluru…reports Asian Lite News

After three days of meetings, the Congress finally ended the suspense and decided to announce party veteran leader Siddaramaiah as the next Karnataka Chief Minister and its state unit chief D.K. Shivakumar as his deputy.

According to party sources, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge after several round of meetings with the senior party leaders and the two Karnataka leaders finally came to a conclusion that Opposition Leader of outgoing Assembly Siddaramaiah will be the next new Chief Minister of the southern state and Shivakumar as the state’s deputy Chief Minister.

The announcement will be made on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bengaluru.

The party source said that the swearing-in ceremony will take place on May 20 afternoon in Bengaluru.

The Congress was facing a major challenge as both veteran leaders — Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were vying for the top post in the state.

On Monday, the three central observers had submitted the report of CLP meeting and their voting through the secret ballot with Kharge.

After several rounds of meeting senior leaders, Kharge finally on intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday finalised the name of Siddaramaiah as the next Karnataka Chief Minister.

Kharge, 81, had held discussion with former party chief Rahul Gandhi, party general secretary K.C. Venugopal and party Karnataka unit in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, besides the two Karnataka leaders since Monday afternoon.

The Congress had won 135 out of 224 seats in the recently concluded Karnataka Assembly polls whereas the ruling BJP was reduced to 66 and the JD-S to 19 seats.

‘Accepted decision in larger interest of party’

After suspense over the Karnataka chief minister has ended, state Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar, who has been given the post of Deputy CM, said on Thursday that he accepted the decision in the larger interest of the party.

Speaking to the media at the residence of party general secretary K.C. Venugopal, Shivakumar said, “The party high command has taken a decision.”

He also said that he has taken the decision in the larger interest of the party.

After holding back to back meetings for three consecutive days, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge ended the suspense over Karnataka Chief Minister by picking Siddaramaiah for the top post with Shivakumar as his deputy. Both the leaders were vying for the top post.

Siddaramaiah is scheduled to meet Venugopal before leaving for Bengaluru, where the CLP meeting has been called on Thursday evening to make the announcement.

Kharge to invite opposition leaders for swearing-in

Meanwhile, Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to invite opposition leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Karnataka chief minister and deputy chief minister, according to sources.

They said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Rai Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior party leaders will attend the event The oath-taking ceremony will be held in Bengaluru on May 20.

In 2018, when Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy was sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka coalition government, a galaxy of Opposition leaders attended the ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress, then Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and other top leaders like the Nationalist Congress Party’s Sharad Pawar, Sharad Yadav from the Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav and Left’s Sitaram Yechury and D Raja.

In 2013 Siddaramaiah had taken oath at the same venue, the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here when he became the chief minster of the State for the first time.

The Congress is all set to name Siddaramaiah as the next chief minister of Karnataka, and a formal announcement on the same will be is made at a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting this evening here in Bengaluru. According to sources while Siddharamaiah will get the CM position, the Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar will be the Deputy Chief Minister.

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Shivakumar has written to all the legislators, asking them to attend the meeting of newly-elected MLAs, MLCs and MPs at the Indira Gandhi Bhavan on Queen’s Road today in Bengaluru at 7 pm today.

Meanwhile, security was stepped up and banners were also put up outside Congress leader Siddaramaiah’s residence.

ALSO READ-Big win for Congress in Karnataka

Categories
India News

72.67% voter turnout in elections

Mangalore City South recorded 65.1 per cent voter turnout, Mangalore City North 72.32 per cent, Moodabidri (76.11), and Belthangady (80.8)…reports Asian Lite News

A voter turnout of 72.67 per cent was recorded in the Karnataka Assembly elections on Wednesday, where polling for the 224 Assembly seats ended at 6 p.m., the Election Commission (EC) has said.

Barring few incidents, the polling was overall peaceful, the EC Secretariat said in a statement.

The southern state had crossed 50 per cent of voters turnout in the post-lunch period. By 5 p.m., 65.69 per cent of voters turned out and excercised their voting rights.

The voter turnout in the high voltage Varuna seat was recorded at 84.39 per cent. It is one among the keenly observed seats as Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and Minister for Housing V. Somanna are contesting from this seat.

The trend of huge voter turnout in coastal and hilly regions in the state continued. The voter turnout touched 74.07 per cent in Virajpet, while in Madikeri it was at 75.39 per cent.

Dakshina Kannada district which witnessed revenge killings and communal incidents also saw a large number of voters turning out to booths. Sullia recorded 78.94 per cent polling, Puttur (80.02), Bantwal (80.17), and Mangalore (77.6).

Mangalore City South recorded 65.1 per cent voter turnout, Mangalore City North 72.32 per cent, Moodabidri (76.11), and Belthangady (80.8).

The Udupi districts assembly segments Karkal saw 81.3 per cent polling, Kapu (78.79), Udupi (75.87), Kundapura (78.94) and Byndoor recorded 77.84 per cent voting.

Channapatna seat, from where former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and BJP former minister C.P. Yogeshwar have locked horns had recorded 85.23 per cent voting. Kanakapura from where Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar is contesting registered 84.52 per cent.

Shikaripura seat, from where former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s son B.Y. Vijayendra is contesting, had seen 82.57 per cent turnout.

Hubli-Dharwad Central, from where former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is contesting on Congress ticket, has seen 64.18 per cent voter turnout. Athani seat, being contested by former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, recorded 80.23 per cent polling.

ALSO READ-Conservatives suffer big losses in local polls

Categories
-Top News USA

After poll, Musk restores suspended Twitter accounts

Twitter. (File Photo: IANS)

Musk had earlier said that any account doxxing real-time location information of anyone will be suspended, as it is a physical safety violation…reports Asian Lite News

Twitter CEO Elon Musk has started lifting suspension of some journalists on the micro-blogging site after running a poll on the platform, asking if he should “Unsuspend accounts who doxxed my exact location in real-time”.

The Twitter poll included two options — “Now” or “In 7 Days”.

Of the two options, “Now” won with 59 per cent of responses, while “In 7 days” received 41 per cent.

Nearly 3.7 million users responded to the poll.

“The people have spoken. Accounts who doxxed my location will have their suspension lifted now,” Musk tweeted.

Doxxing (also spelled doxing) is the act of revealing someone’s personal information online. It is a form of online harassment that means publicly exposing someone’s real name, address, job or other identifying data.

At the moment, CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, The New York Times’ Ryan Mac, Mashable’s Matt Binder, and The Washington Post’s Drew Harwell’s accounts are all visible on the platform.

The Twitter CEO on Thursday suspended the accounts of several prominent journalists on the micro-blogging platform, including Donie O’Sullivan from CNN and Drew Harwell from The Washington Post as they covered his “exact real-time location”.

Musk had earlier said that any account doxxing real-time location information of anyone will be suspended, as it is a physical safety violation.

Moreover, the Twitter CEO also defended his decision after suspending accounts on the micro-blogging platform of more than half a dozen journalists.

In defence of the decision to suspend reporters, Musk said: “Everyone’s going to be treated the same. They’re not special just because you’re a journalist,” reports BuzzFeed.News.

ALSO READ-Musk suspends Twitter accounts of several journalists