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The Volleyball Federation of India will conduct pivotal elections this Saturday to establish a new governing body following an interim phase.

VFI Holds Crucial Elections for Leadership

VFI prepares for key elections to choose a new leadership team, an important moment for Indian volleyball, with significant positions at stake.

VFI elections on Saturday will determine new leadership for Indian volleyball, with 29 candidates vying for 12 key roles.

The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) is set to conduct its long-awaited elections on Saturday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here following a directive from the Delhi High Court.
This marks a crucial step toward restoring an elected governing body after a period of interim governance.
A total of 66 representatives from 33 states and union territories affiliated with VFI will vote to elect a new governing body.
Twenty-nine candidates are contesting for 12 key positions, including five seats on the executive committee.
These include: President (1), Vice Presidents (2), Secretary General (1), Treasurer (1), Joint Secretaries (2), and Executive Committee Members (5).
The presidential race will see Anand Shankar Rajhans (Bihar), Prem Singh Bajor (Nagaland), and Virender Kanwar (Himachal Pradesh) face off.
For the post of secretary general, the candidates include Mohammad Akram Khan (Chhattisgarh), Nilesh Vishnu Jagat (Maharashtra), and Ramanand Choudhary (Rajasthan).
Hari Singh Chauhan (Madhya Pradesh) and Prakash Borah (Assam) will contest for treasurer's post, with six candidates in the fray for the two joint secretary posts and 11 for the five executive committee positions.
Voting will be conducted from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, followed by counting at 3:30 PM. The election is being overseen by Justice P. Krishna Bhat (Retd.), appointed as the returning officer by the court.
Reflecting on the interim phase, Rohit Rajpal, chairman of the VFI ad-hoc committee, said, "In the absence of an elected body, the ad-hoc committee worked relentlessly to maintain stability and drive progress in Indian volleyball." He added, "India's recent silver medal at the CAVA Men's Nations League &mdash; after victories over Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan &mdash; marks a significant achievement. Our global ranking has jumped from 168 to an estimated 45." To ensure full transparency, observers from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) will monitor the proceedings.
The FIVB delegation present for the elections will include: Steve Tutton, FIVB General Sports Director; Stephen Bock, FIVB Head of Legal and General Counsel; Hitesh Malhotra, FIVB Head of Volleyball Empowerment and NF Relations.

The Election Commission of India allows Covid-19 affected voters in Ludhiana's bye-election to vote via postal ballot. This ensures safety and adherence to updated election rules.

Ludhiana Bye-Election: Postal Voting for Covid-19

In Ludhiana's 2025 bye-election, Covid-19 affected individuals can vote through postal ballots. The Election Commission of India ensures safety and participation by following updated electoral rules. This initiative supports democratic engagement while prioritizing public health.

ECI allows Covid-19 affected voters in Ludhiana's bye-election to vote via postal ballot

Covid-19 affected voters in the Ludhiana West bye-election on May 26, 2025, have postal voting access. This ensures safe participation, adhering to amended election rules.

In pursuance of the provisions of clause (e) of Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission of India hereby specifies that the Covid-19 suspect or affected person, certified by competent authority, who applies for voting by postal ballot paper and subject to verification of their request by the Returing Officer concerned, would be a class of persons to give their vote by postal ballot in the current bye-elections to 64-Ludhiana West Assembly Constituency in Punjab notified on 26.05.2025 under Section 30 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as per the provisions in Part-IlA of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 as amended vide Ministry of Law &amp; Justice, Govt. of India, Notification SO No. 1964(E), dated 19th June, 2020 read with the directions and guidelines issued by the Election Commission on the subject.

The Supreme Court has ordered Maharashtra to hold local elections within four weeks, addressing OBC reservation issues.

Supreme Court Mandates Maharashtra Elections

The Supreme Court has paved the way for Maharashtra's local elections, previously stalled due to OBC reservation disputes.

Supreme Court advances Maharashtra elections amid OBC reservation dispute

The Supreme Court ordered Maharashtra's local elections, suspended over OBC reservations, to be announced within four weeks.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday paved the way for Maharashtra local body polls, which were stalled for more than five years due to the OBC reservation issue, as it ordered the state election panel to notify it in four weeks.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh said, "The constitutional mandate of grassroots democracy through periodical election of the local bodies ought to be respected and ensured." The reservation it ordered should be provided to the other backward classes (OBC) in line with the law existing in the state before the 2022 report of the J. K. Banthia commission, which recommended a 27 percent quota for the category in local bodies.
The bench also fixed a timeline for concluding the local body polls and asked the State Election Commission (SEC) to conclude it in four months. The SEC was granted the liberty to allow the panel to seek more time in appropriate cases.
The outcome of Maharashtra local body elections would, however, be subject to decisions in pending petitions before the apex court, it added.
The bench noted the core issue in the batch of petitions filed in support of or against the report of the Banthia Commission was OBC reservation.
Other issues, it said, included setting up a dedicated commission to conduct empirical inquiry into the nature and implication of the backwardness for the purpose of reservation in the local body and whether such a reservation could extend the aggregate of 50 percent.
The top court said since the elected bodies had a prescribed term, no irreversible loss would be caused, and the appropriate amendment in the existing law for inclusion or exclusion of certain categories like issues could be considered in the course of time.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for some petitioners, argued local bodies elections could not be held due to the pendency of the petitions in the apex court.
Justice Kant pointed out the court's status quo order led to the appointment of administrators in various local bodies, but there were complaints of bureaucrats taking policy decisions.
The bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, why elections couldn't be held.
"One thing we can't understand. Whatever the law you have enacted, right or wrong, we will decide. You have already identified certain classes of OBCs. Why can't elections be held as per that law without prejudice to the contentions of the petitioners?" Justice Kant asked.
Mehta agreed elections couldn't be stalled but said the law enacted by the assembly should not be disturbed at the moment.
"Is there any logic? Today bureaucrats are occupying all the municipal corporations and panchayats and taking major policy decisions. Because of all this litigation, a complete democratic process has been stalled. Officers have no accountability. Why not hold the elections as per the data that existed prior to the 2022 report?" the judge asked Mehta.
Jaising said 34,000 seats meant for OBCs were de-reserved.
On August 22, 2022, the top court directed the SEC and the Maharashtra government to maintain the status quo with regard to the poll process to the local bodies in the state.
The top court passed the order on a plea of the Maharashtra government seeking a recall of the apex court order by which it directed the SEC not to re-notify the poll process to 367 local bodies, where it has already begun, in order to provide reservation to OBCs.
The state government came out with an ordinance providing 27 percent reservation for the OBC in local body polls.
The government then moved the top court seeking a recall or modification of its order.
The top court on July 28, 2022, warned the state poll panel of contempt action if it re-notified the election process to such local bodies.
The apex court quashed the SEC notification to provide 27 percent quotas for OBCs in local bodies in 2021, and in December of the same year, it ruled reservation for OBCs in local bodies was not to be allowed unless the government fulfilled the triple test laid down in the top court's 2010 order.
The top court ruled the OBC seats would be re-notified as general category seats until then.
The triple test required the state government to set up a dedicated commission to gather data on the backwardness of OBCs in every local body, to specify the proportion of reservation in each local body in light of the commission&rsquo;s recommendations, and to ensure such reservation did not exceed 50 percent of the total seats reserved for SC/ST/OBC together.
Ninety-two municipal councils and four nagar panchayats figured in the list of 367 local bodies where the election process had already been set in motion at the time when the status quo was passed.
There cannot be reservations for these 367 local bodies, the court said.

The CSIS warns of potential election interference by China and India using AI tactics amid deteriorating Canadian ties with both nations, exasperating geopolitical tensions.

Canada Election Interference Threat by China and India

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service alerts of election interference risks by China and India, stressing the use of AI and social media tactics amidst heightened geopolitical tensions.

CSIS warns of election interference by China and India

CSIS warns China and India might interfere in Canada's election, particularly using AI. Tensions with both nations are escalating, implicating broader geopolitical strategies.

In a press briefing held on Monday, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) warned that China and India could potentially interfere in Canada's upcoming general election. The announcement comes as relations between Canada and these two nations continue to deteriorate.
Vanessa Lloyd, the Deputy Director of Operations at CSIS, addressed reporters regarding the snap election scheduled for April 28, recently called by Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. She highlighted concerns about "hostile state actors" employing artificial intelligence to meddle in the electoral process.
"The People's Republic of China (PRC) is expected to leverage AI technology to disrupt Canada's democratic proceedings during this election," said Lloyd.
Furthermore, she indicated that China might utilize social media platforms to push narratives favorable to Beijing's interests, specifically targeting Chinese ethnic, cultural, and religious communities within Canada through "clandestine and deceptive strategies."
Additionally, Lloyd stated that evidence suggests India has both the intent and capacity to interfere in Canadian communities and its democratic practices as part of its broader geopolitical strategy.
Both China and India have previously denied such interference allegations and have yet to respond to these new claims. In the past, India dismissed Canadian suggestions of election-related interference by foreign governments, labeling them as "insinuations."
In January, Canada's commission report suggested that New Delhi might have used proxy agents to clandestinely fund candidates from multiple political parties during a federal election.
India's Ministry of External Affairs rejected these claims and criticized Canada for meddling in its domestic affairs.
The Globe and Mail, a prominent Canadian newspaper, had reported allegations that India provided covert financial backing to politicians in Canada.
The CSIS briefing also touched on potential interference by Russia and Pakistan.
Lloyd indicated that Russia has been building networks on social media and news websites to propagate Kremlin-aligned narratives, which might be used to influence the Canadian electorate. Similarly, she voiced concerns that Pakistan could engage in interference activities to further its strategic goals, including promoting stability and countering India's global influence.
Strained Canada-India relations
Relations between Canada and India have been fraught, particularly since former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of involvement in the murder of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September 2023.
India swiftly dismissed the claim as "absurd." Tensions escalated with the expulsion of Canadian diplomats and the recall of India's envoy following Canada&rsquo;s move to question Indian officials as persons of interest in the Nijjar case.
Canada-China relations have also soured, highlighted by China's recent imposition of tariffs on over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural products.
This move came in retaliation to earlier Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and metal products.
With the election on the horizon, CSIS's warnings underscore the complex geopolitical challenges facing Canada and emphasize the need for vigilance in safeguarding its democratic processes.

The projected expenditure of Rs 1.35 lakh crore for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections surpasses all previous records

2024 Lok Sabha elections poised to break records as most expensive in history: Experts

The projected expenditure of Rs 1.35 lakh crore for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections surpasses all previous records

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are on track to break past records and become the most expensive electoral event in the world, according to a poll expert.
The estimated expenditure is expected to reach a staggering Rs 1.35 lakh crore, more than double the Rs 60,000 crore spent in 2019, claimed N Bhaskara Rao, who chairs the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), a not-for-profit organisation, and has been tracking election spending for 35 years.
Rao stated that this comprehensive expenditure encompasses all spending, direct or indirect, related to polls, including that by political parties and organisations, candidates, the government, and the Election Commission.
With the BJP vying for a third consecutive term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s leadership, industry observers have noted the party&rsquo;s dominant presence in campaigns, irrespective of the mediums used for publicity.
In an interview with PTI, Rao said he revised the initial expenditure estimate from Rs 1.2 lakh crore to Rs 1.35 lakh crore, factoring in electoral bond disclosures and accounting for all election-related expenses.
&ldquo;Initially, we estimated the expenditure at Rs 1.2 lakh crore. However, post the electoral bond stake disclosures, we&rsquo;ve revised the figure to Rs 1.35 lakh crore,&rdquo; he said, adding that this estimate covered spending that took place 3-4 months before voting dates were announced.
Rao emphasised that money flowed into the process through various means beyond electoral bonds.
Recent observations by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed a "significant lack of transparency" in political funding in India.
From 2004-05 to 2022-23, approximately 60 per cent of contributions to the nation&rsquo;s six major political parties, totalling Rs 19,083 crore, came from undisclosed sources, including funds from electoral bonds, it claimed.
The ADR has, however, refrained from providing any cumulative expenditure projections for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.
&ldquo;Pre-election activities are integral to campaign spending by parties and candidates, covering political rallies, transportation, hiring of workers including field and influencers and even the controversial horse-trading of political leaders,&rdquo; Rao said.
The Election Commission&rsquo;s budget to manage the polls is expected to be 10-15 per cent of the total expenditure projection, he added.
With a voter base of 96.6 crore, per-voter spending is estimated at around Rs 1,400. This surpasses the expenditure of the 2020 US elections, which stood at USD 14.4 billion or Rs 1.2 lakh crore, according to OpenSecrets.org, a nonprofit organisation based in Washington, DC, that tracks and publishes data on campaign finance and lobbying.
Media campaigns across various platforms are predicted to account for 30 per cent of the total election spend, Rao said.
&ldquo;While visible spending is concentrated in the 45-day direct campaign period, the actual expenditure far exceeds this amount,&rdquo; he added.
Parties and candidates often find ways to circumvent spending restrictions imposed by the Model Code of Conduct. In 2019, the CMS reported that the BJP accounted for 45 per cent of the total spending of Rs 60,000 crore, a share that Rao believes will increase in the 2024 elections.
In his latest book, &lsquo;Next Big Game Changer of Elections&rsquo;, Rao highlighted the growing reliance on &lsquo;money power&rsquo; over ideology in Indian politics.
He lamented the transformation of election campaigns from ideology-driven movements to &ldquo;jingoistic apparatuses&rdquo; that leverage demographics to create divisive tactics and polarisation.
Rao identified six key trends in the ongoing general election -- prolonged pre-poll activities, affluent candidates dominating the fray, the &lsquo;Mandi&rsquo; phenomenon of political crossovers, manipulation through various channels, lack of fair play, and the power dynamics favouring incumbents.
As digital campaigning gains prominence, political parties are engaging professional agencies for higher brand recall.
Amit Wadhwa, CEO of leading advertising agency Dentsu Creative, said that there has been a significant surge in digital campaigning this year.
He said political parties were behaving like corporate brands and were engaging professional agencies for higher brand recall.
&ldquo;With the inclusion of both direct and indirect digital campaigns, this medium&rsquo;s footprint is poised to become the mainstay, potentially outshining all others in this election. Television, digital platforms, and outdoor advertising are ahead, relegating print to fourth place,&rdquo; he projected, based on his observations.
A top ad agency official said voters unaffiliated with any political ideology, referred to as &lsquo;fence-sitters,&rsquo; are the primary targets of the intense visual campaigns launched by parties across various media.
Social media giants like Meta and Google play significant roles in political campaigns, he said.
Advertisement professional Jadavendra Sen categorised advertisements into three types - Above the Line (ATL) activities, which include outdoor, television, and print; Below the Line (BTL) activities, encompassing wall writings and posters; and Through the Line (TTL) activities, which involve third-party like influencers and digital platforms.
Sen highlighted that during the initial voting phase in North Bengal, there was a notable demand for flex advertising.
He anticipated that the intensity of visual campaigning would escalate with every passing election phase.
In response to the spending budget this year, agencies associated with leading national parties like BJP and Congress did not offer any comments but acknowledged the increase had been significant.

Amidst record valuations and pre-election optimism, Bernstein analysts predict a market correction in the Indian stock market following the Lok Sabha elections.

Bernstein forecasts post-election profit booking in stock market

Amidst record valuations and pre-election optimism, Bernstein analysts predict a market correction in the Indian stock market following the Lok Sabha elections.

The Indian stock market, which began 2024 with record valuations, particularly in the small and mid-cap sectors, is poised for a potential correction following the Lok Sabha elections, according to analysts at Bernstein, reported Mint.
Despite a period of relative stability in February and March, recent weeks have seen renewed upward momentum, with small caps rising by 4% and mid-caps by 2%. Bernstein anticipates that the election results will act as a catalyst for profit-booking, as pre-election optimism gives way to market reassessment.
Analysts Venugopal Garre and Nikhil Arela suggest that the prevailing expectations of a strong showing by the ruling coalition could lead to a short-term negative reaction if the actual outcome falls short. However, they emphasize that the broader macroeconomic fundamentals remain robust, mitigating the potential downside.
With some polls projecting the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to secure as many as 411 seats, a result closer to 390-400 seats has become the new baseline expectation. Despite still constituting a majority, any deviation from the anticipated outcome could trigger market volatility, the analysts caution.
The looming correction, according to Bernstein, may signal the beginning of the end for the prolonged market frenzy witnessed over the past year. Nevertheless, the focus on manufacturing, highlighted prominently in recent government agendas as a means to address unemployment, is expected to persist irrespective of electoral outcomes.
As the Indian stock market braces for potential turbulence post-election, investors remain attentive to signals of market sentiment and government policy direction. Amidst uncertainties, the overarching commitment to economic growth and structural reforms provides a semblance of stability amidst the impending market adjustment.

The Lok Sabha Election 2024 is expected to cost approximately double the amount of the last Loksabha election. Check here for more details.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: This is how much it costs to conduct elections in India

From meticulous planning to deploying resources and EVM procurement, the Election Commission faces significant expenditure. While the elections signify democratic vibrancy, the soaring costs underscore the challenges in managing such mammoth exercises.

<h2>From meticulous planning to deploying resources and EVM procurement, the Election Commission faces significant expenditure. While the elections signify democratic vibrancy, the soaring costs underscore the challenges in managing such mammoth exercise</h2>

The national elections in India kicked off on April 19th. There are around 96.8 crore eligible voters for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, which will be held in seven phases across various states over a period of six weeks. The polls will conclude on the 1st of June and the results will be announced on the 4th of June.&nbsp;
As the Election Commission says, it's &ldquo;a mammoth exercise in democracy which is world&rsquo;s largest electoral movement of man and material.&rdquo; To hold an election of this magnitude requires meticulous planning and of course comes at a significant cost.&nbsp;
The cost of organising the Lok Sabha elections has seen a significant increase over the years. India's first election was held in 1951-52 which spanned 68 phases was reportedly at a cost of ₹10.5 crore. However, by 2014, the cost of conducting the national elections surged to over ₹3870 crore. And the 2019 elections cost dramatically increased to a whopping ₹50,000 crore as per a report by the centre of Media Studies. And as per reports, basis their previous years trends, the 2024 elections could cost double of what the 2019 election cost, which works out to a staggering ₹1 lakh crore.&nbsp;
With almost every election, the costs have expanded along with an increase in the number of eligible voters. From 17.32 crore eligible voters in 1952 to 91.2 crore in 2019 and 96.8 crore in 2024. The election commission spent 6 paise per elector in 1951 which increased to Rs 46 in 2014.
So what are the main heads under which the Election Commission spends? From deploying resources, officials and armed personnel, setting up of polling booths, administrative costs to awareness programs and electronic voting machines, are just some of the areas where the money is spent. However, procuring EVMs forms a major part of the expenses. In Budget 2024, ₹1891 crore was allocated for EVMs with an additional ₹611 crore proposed during the Winter session.
So who bears the cost of the elections? The central government bears the cost of the national elections, similarly when state elections are conducted, it is the state government which bears the cost.&nbsp;

AAP Jalalabad MLA's father on April 8 got a BSP ticket from Punjab's Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat.

BSP candidate from Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat is AAP Jalalabad MLA's father

AAP Jalalabad MLA's father on April 8 got a BSP ticket from Punjab's Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat.

From brothers contesting against each other to chairs being hurled during debate, a lot has been happening in the ongoing election season. Amidst all this, the BSP on April 8 announced Surinder Kamboj, father of AAP Jalalabad MLA Jagdeep Kamboj aka Goldy, as the candidate from Punjab's Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat.&nbsp;
Surinder Kamboj joined BSP in Jalandhar on April 6. His name has erupted in several controversies. In 2023, he was arrested in an extortion case.&nbsp;
The complainant mentioned that Surinder Kamboj demanded &nbsp;₹10 lakhs by promising to save him in an alleged false rape complaint.
Speaking about the upcoming elections, Surinder Kamboj claimed that he stands a fairly good chance in the Lok Sabha election as the Kamboj community has a big chunk of over 3 lakh electorates.
Surinder Kamboj also mentioned that has his own ideology, which may be different from his son.&nbsp;
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/elections/lok-sabha/brothers-face-each-other-in-chikiti-all-set-to-make-election-interesting-1712319693525">Brothers face each other in Chikiti; all set to make election interesting</a>

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, 'click here' trend is ruling on X. Several political parties and leaders have also hopped on this trend, know all about it. 

What is 'Click here' trend on X that BJP, Congress, others are using to spar?

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, 'click here' trend is ruling on X. Several political parties and leaders have also hopped on this trend, know all about it.&nbsp;

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, a new 'Click here' trend is gaining popularity on X. Through this trend, political parties and leaders are hitting out at each other. They are sharing short messages for the upcoming elections with the help of this trend.&nbsp;
This new trend involves the text 'Click here' and an arrow pointing to the bottom left corner, prompting social media users to click on the 'ALT text' button.&nbsp;
When the users click on the 'ALT text' button, it allows users to read description provided with the images.
As political parties try their hands on this new trend, BJP wrote in their ALT text, "Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar (Once again Modi government)." Whereas Congress wrote, "Narendra Modi 'vasooli racket' chalate hai, aapko toh pata hai Narendra Modi runs 'extortion racket'. You are aware of it)."
AAP wrote, "Desh bachane ke liye, 31 March ko chalein Ramleela Maidan (To save the country, let's go to Ramleela Maidan on March 31)."
Also watch:&nbsp;

Assembly election 2023: a video of Congress worker dressed as Lord Hanuman was seen outside party headquarters in Delhi. The video of the same is now doing rounds on the internet

Assembly election 2023: Congress worker dressed as Lord Hanuman stands outside party HQ in Delhi, watch

Assembly election 2023: a video of Congress worker dressed as Lord Hanuman was seen outside party headquarters in Delhi. The video of the same is now doing rounds on the internet

As the counting of votes for assembly elections in 4 states began, a Congress worker dressed as Lord Hanuman was seen outside the party headquarters in Delhi. A video of him is now circulating on the internet.&nbsp;
In the viral video, the man dressed as Lord Hanuman was heard saying, "Truth will triumph. Jai Sri Ram!"
As the social media users came across the video, they reacted by saying 'let's see what happens.'&nbsp;
The election results of four states including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana will be declared today on December 3, whereas the result for Mizoram is a day later on December 4.&nbsp;

Rajasthan polls: BJP writes to EC against Rahul Gandhi's 'vote for Congress' post on X

The BJP wrote to the Election Commission, saying his post violates the silence period of 48 hours during which any type of campaign is barred.

The BJP Saturday accused Rahul Gandhi of violating poll guidelines with his post on X on the day of the Rajasthan assembly polls and urged the Election Commission to seek suspension of the Congress leader's social media account and initiate other actions against him.
In his post, Gandhi urged people to elect the Congress and said, "Rajasthan will choose free treatment. Rajasthan will choose cheaper gas cylinder. Rajasthan will choose an interest-free agricultural loan. Rajasthan will choose English education. Rajasthan will choose OPS. Rajasthan will choose caste census." The BJP wrote to the Election Commission, saying his post violates the silence period of 48 hours during which any type of campaign is barred. It accused the ex-Congress chief of violating the Representation of the People Act and the Model Code of Conduct and sought the EC's action.
"The social media platform X and its functionaries may also be directed to immediately suspend the account and remove the aforestated offending contents with immediate effect lest it further violates the 48-hour silence zone and cause irreparable injury to the doctrine of free and fair elections," it said.
The BJP said the poll panel should also direct the Chief Election Officer, Rajasthan, to file a criminal complaint and initiate criminal prosecution against Gandhi.

Despite the additional spending on food, fertiliser subsidies and rural employment scheme, the government is confident of meeting the fiscal deficit target of 5.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2023-24

Election 2024: Government to spend more on food, fertilizer subsidies, MGNREGA says report

<h2>Despite the additional spending on food, fertiliser subsidies and rural employment scheme, the government is confident of meeting the fiscal deficit target of 5.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2023-24</h2>

Elections 2024: In the run up to elections in 2024, the government is planning to spend more on food, fertilizer subsidies and rural job gurantee schemes, reported Moneycontrol. As per the report, the pace of expenditure will pick up in the second half of the current financial year, putting the Centre on track to meet the fiscal deficit target for FY24.
<h3>Budget</h3>
The centre in the current fiscal year is likely to allocate Rs 1.97 lakh crore for food subsidy, Rs 1.75 lakh crore for fertiliser subsidy and the allocation for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is Rs 60,000 crore for 2023-24. The allocation for MGNREGA is however a steep cut from last year's outlay of Rs 89,400 crore.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/economy/green-energy-shift-india-may-face-73-800-coal-job-losses-by-2050-report-1696923489354">Green energy shift: India may face 73,800 coal job losses by 2050 - Report</a>
The report quoted a senior government official and said that the Centre's decision to extend the free food grain plan will have a limited impact on the fiscal deficit for FY24. He further added that the additional spending due to the three-month extension is to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore.
The report that quoted a senior government official mentioned that despite the additional spending on subsidies, the government &nbsp;is confident of meeting the fiscal deficit target of 5.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2023-24.
&ldquo;No deviation is expected on the fiscal deficit as the impact of higher subsidies is only for three months. The pace of spending is typically slower in the first half of the fiscal. This is in line with the usual trend, and there will be no undershooting in terms of the spending targets we have set,&rdquo; the official told Moneycontrol.
Ahead of the general elections that is scheduled to be held in 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is planning to extend its free food grains programme by five years.
The free food grain scheme known as the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) allows eligible citizens to purchase five kg of food grains per person per month at highly subsidised prices
The official also told Moneycontrol that the cost of providing LPG cylinders at Rs 300 to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will have an additional impact of Rs 3,840 crore, while the decision to sell wheat flour at a subsidised rate of Rs 27.50 per kg under the Bharat Atta scheme will have no impact on government spending

Big relief for AAP in Delhi mayor polls; SC says nominated members can't vote

Big relief for AAP in Delhi mayoral polls; SC says nominated members can't vote

Big relief for AAP in Delhi mayoral polls; SC says nominated members can't vote
Issue notice for convening 1st MCD meet within 24 hrs: SC
Election of Delhi mayor shall be conducted at first MCD meet: SC&nbsp;

Big relief for AAP in Delhi mayor polls; SC says nominated members can't vote

The Supreme Court on Friday said the nominated members of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) cannot vote in the mayoral election.
A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala directed that the election of the Delhi mayor shall be conducted at the first MCD meet and once elected, the mayor shall preside over the deputy mayor's election.
"We have heard the counsel for the parties. We are unable to accept the submission on behalf of the municipal corporation. The Constitution has imposed a restriction in terms of which nominated members do not have the right to vote. The prohibition on nominated members in the exercise of the right to vote applies on the first meeting.
"The notice for the election of mayor and the first meeting of the MCD shall be issued within 24 hours and the notice shall fix the date at which the elections of mayor, deputy mayor and standing committee members shall be held," the bench said.
The top court's order came on a plea moved by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) mayoral candidate, Shelly Oberoi, seeking an early conduct of the election.
The apex court had, on February 8, sought the responses of the lieutenant governor's (LG) office, MCD's pro-tem presiding officer Satya Sharma and others on Oberoi's plea.

Netanyahu, 73, who is fighting corruption charges in court, had already served as premier longer than anyone in Israeli history, leading the country from 1996-1999 and 2009-2021.

Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu returns as PM for the sixth time

Netanyahu, 73, who is fighting corruption charges in court, had already served as premier longer than anyone in Israeli history, leading the country from 1996-1999 and 2009-2021.

Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn into office on December 29, taking the helm of the most right-wing and religiously conservative government in Israel&rsquo;s history and vowing to enact policies that could cause domestic and regional turmoil and alienate the country&rsquo;s closest allies.
Netanyahu took the oath of office moments after parliament passed a vote of confidence in his new government.
His return marks his sixth term in office, continuing his more than decade-long dominance over Israeli politics.
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Prachanda has support of 165 MPs in the 275-member House of Representatives which includes CPN-UML with 78, CPN-MC with 32, RSP with 20, RPP with 14, JSP with 12, Janamat with 6 and Nagarik Unmukti Party with 3

Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' appointed Nepal's PM

Prachanda has support of 165 MPs in the 275-member House of Representatives which includes CPN-UML with 78, CPN-MC with 32, RSP with 20, RPP with 14, JSP with 12, Janamat with 6 and Nagarik Unmukti Party with 3

President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday appointed CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal &lsquo;Prachanda&rsquo; as the new Prime Minister of Nepal.&nbsp; Prachanda along with CPN-UML chairman K P Sharma Oli, Rastriya Swatantra Party president Ravi Lamichhane, Rastriya Prajatantra Party chief Rajendra Lingden among other top leaders earlier went to the President's Office with a proposal to appoint him as the new Prime Minister, sources said. Prachanda has support of 165 lawmakers in the 275-member House of Representatives which includes CPN-UML with 78, CPN-MC with 32, RSP with 20, RPP with 14, JSP with 12, Janamat with 6 and Nagarik Unmukti Party with 3. Earlier in the day, Prachanda walked out of the Nepali Congress led five-party alliance after Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba rejected his bid to become the Prime Minister in the first round. Deuba and Prachanda had earlier reached a tacit understanding to lead the new government on a rotational basis. The swearing in ceremony of the newly-appointed Prime Minister will take place at 4 pm on Monday, according to the President's Office.

Brazil election body rejects Bolsonaro's EVM bug claim; fines him for fraud facts

Brazil election body rejects Bolsonaro's EVM bug claim; fines him for 'fact fudging'

Bolsonaro earlier this week had alleged 'bug' failure in most electronic machines hoping to  overturn the October 30 election result which declared victory for leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.


Bolsonaro had alleged 'bug' malfunction in most electronic machines hoping to overturn the October 30 election result in which he lost to former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The head of Brazil's electoral authority on Wednesday rejected the request from President Jair Bolsonaro and his political party to annul ballots cast on most electronic voting machines, which would have overturned the October 30 election.
Alexandre de Moraes had issued a prior ruling that implicitly raised the possibility that Bolsonaro's Liberal Party could suffer from such a challenge.
He conditioned analysis of the request on the presentation of an amended report to include results from the first electoral round, on October 2, in which the party won more seats in both congressional houses than any other, and he established a 24-hour deadline.
Earlier on Wednesday, party president Valdemar Costa and lawyer Marcelo de Bessa held a press conference and said there would be no amended report.
&ldquo;The complete bad faith of the plaintiff's bizarre and illicit request ... was proven, both by the refusal to add to the initial petition and the total absence of any evidence of irregularities and the existence of a totally fraudulent narrative of the facts,&rdquo; de Moraes wrote in his decision hours later.
He also ordered the suspension of government funds for the Liberal Party's coalition until a fine of 23 million reais (USD 4.3 million) for bad faith litigation is paid.
On Tuesday, de Bessa filed a 33-page request on behalf of Bolsonaro and Costa citing a software bug in the majority of Brazil's machines &mdash; they lack individual identification numbers in their internal logs &mdash; to argue all votes they recorded should be nullified. De Bessa said that doing so would leave Bolsonaro with 51 per cent of the remaining valid votes.
Neither Costa nor de Bessa have explained how the bug might have affected election results.
Independent experts consulted by The Associated Press said that, while newly discovered, it doesn't affect reliability and each voting machine is still readily identifiable through other means. In his ruling, de Moraes noted the same.
He also wrote that the challenge to the vote appeared aimed at incentivizing anti-democratic protest movements and creating tumult, and ordered the investigation of Costa and the consultant hired to conduct an evaluation.
&ldquo;De Moraes' message to the political establishment is: the game is over. Questioning the result of the elections is not fair play, and people and institutions who do that will be punished harshly,&rdquo; said Maur&iacute;cio Santoro, a political science professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro.
In the press conference on Wednesday, Costa said his intention is merely to prevent the results of the 2022 vote from haunting Brazil into the future.
The electoral authority on October 30 ratified the victory of Bolsonaro's nemesis, leftist former President Luiz In&aacute;cio Lula da Silva, and even many of the president's allies quickly accepted the results.
Protesters in cities across the country have steadfastly refused to do the same, particularly with Bolsonaro declining to concede.
Bolsonaro spent more than a year claiming Brazil's electronic voting system is prone to fraud, without ever presenting evidence.
The South American nation began using an electronic voting system in 1996 and election security experts consider such systems less secure than hand-marked paper ballots, because they leave no auditable paper trail. But Brazil's system has been closely scrutinized by domestic and international experts who have never found evidence of it being exploited to commit fraud.(AP)
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18 million voters will cast their vote to elect a new govt in Nepal on Sunday

Nepal: Voting begins for Parliamentary, State elections

18 million voters will cast their vote to elect a new govt in Nepal on Sunday

Nepal is holding key national and provincial elections on Sunday in which the Nepali Congress-led ruling coalition is expected to emerge as the winner, but the outcome is unlikely to provide much-needed political stability in the Himalayan nation sandwiched between India and China.
More than 17.9 million people are eligible to vote in seven provinces across the country. The polling will start at 7 am local time and close at 5 pm.
Out of a total of 275 members of the federal Parliament, 165 will be elected through direct voting, while the remaining 110 will be elected through a proportional electoral system.
Similarly, out of a total of 550 members of the Provincial Assembly, 330 will be elected directly and 220 will be elected through the proportional method.
The counting of the votes will begin soon after the polling ends but the final results can take a few days.
Political observers closely watching the elections have predicted a hung parliament and a government that is unlikely to provide the required political stability in Nepal.
Political instability has been a recurrent feature of Nepal's Parliament since the end of the decade-long Maoist insurgency, and no prime minister has served a full term after the civil war ended in 2006.
The frequent changes and fighting among parties have been blamed for a slow economy, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
There are two major political alliances fighting it out for the November 20 general elections - the Nepali Congress-led democratic and leftist alliance and the CPN-UML-led leftist and pro-Hindu-pro-monarchy alliance.
The Nepali Congress-led ruling alliance includes CPN-Maoist Centre, CPN-Unified Socialist, and Madhes-based Loktantrik Samajwadi Party while the CPN-UML-led alliance includes pro-Hindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Madhes-based Janata Samajwadi Party.
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Current prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has formed an electoral alliance with former Maoist guerrilla leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda against former premier K P Sharma Oli.
The next government will face challenges of keeping a stable political administration, reviving the tourism industry and balancing ties with neighbours-- China and India.
Over 22,000 polling centres have been set up for the elections in which 5,907 candidates are in the fray.
The Election Commission of Nepal has mobilised 276,000 staff for conducting the election in all 77 districts. Some 300,000 security personnel have been deployed to facilitate peaceful polling.
Nepal is ready to hold general elections in a free, fair and impartial manner, the election commission said on Saturday.
Out of a total of 2,412 candidates contesting the election for federal Parliament, 867 are independents.
Among the major political parties, the Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist&ndash;Leninist (CPN-UML) has fielded 141 candidates while the Nepali Congress and CPN-Maoist Centre have fielded 91 and 46 candidates respectively.

The number of voters in Lahaul and Spiti's Tashigang, the world’s highest polling station, is not in the hundreds or thousands, but the world’s highest polling station has historically voted once again

100% voter turnout at world's highest polling booth

The number of voters in Lahaul and Spiti's Tshigang, the world’s highest polling station, is not in the hundreds or thousands, but the world’s highest polling station has historically voted 

Nearly 100% voter turnout at world's highest polling booth

The number of voters in Lahaul and Spiti's Tashigang, the world&rsquo;s highest polling station, is not in the hundreds or thousands, but the world&rsquo;s highest polling station has historically voted once again

100% voter turnout was recorded in the world's highest polling station booth in Lahaul and Spiti's Tashigang village in Himachal Pradesh Of the 52 registered voters, 51 stepped out to elect a new state government amid polling in the hill state. Situated at a height of 15,256 feet, the polling booth in Tashigang was made a Model Polling station to make voting easy for senior citizens and disabled voters.
The battle in the Lahaul and Spiti Assembly segment is among BJP&rsquo;s candidate Ram Lal Markanda, Congress candidate Ravi Thakur and APP&rsquo;s candidate Sudershan Jaspa.
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Campaigning in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi halts his convoy to let an ambulance pass

Watch: PM Modi stops convoy to let ambulance pass

Campaigning in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, Prime Minister Narendra Modi halts his convoy to let an ambulance pass

Campaigning in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi halts his convoy to let an ambulance pass

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's carcade was stopped to let in ambulance pass in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district.
In the video widely shared on social media PM Modi could be seen giving priority to the ambulance as his carcade slows down.
The Prime Minister is in Himachal Pradesh for the last leg of BJP's campaign for the state polls due on Sunday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday pitched the Himachal Pradesh poll battle as between the "enemy of development" Congress and the "pro-development" BJP, stressing that people will get "double benefits" if his party is re-elected as he will be able to work more for them.
Addressing his last of the four poll meetings in the hill state at Sujanpur in Hamirpur district, he accused the Congress of "betraying" the people of Himachal and obstructing its development when it ran the government here till 2017 after he took office as prime minister in 2014.
If the Congress comes to power in the state, it will not allow his government to work, Modi claimed.
He said he can do much more for Himachal if people "anukul" (favourable) to him are in power here and asked them to break the convention of voting out incumbent governments to ensure the state's development.
"Congress by nature is an enemy of development. It is the BJP that can take Himachal to new heights of development. Therefore, it is necessary for the BJP government to retain power... It is a straight calculation.
"A BJP government should be formed in Himachal so that it can benefit from Delhi (the central government). It will bring double benefits," he told people at a rally in Sujanpur in Hamirpur district.
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Modi spoke about his familiarity with Himachal Pradesh, a highlight of all his addresses at rallies after the assembly poll announcement, and said as someone aware of issues and people here, he will be able to work for the state while being in Delhi. He listed several measures for its progress after the BJP government under Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was elected in 2017.
The prime minister launched a sharp attack on the main opposition party and linked it with "instability, corruption and scam" at his first rally in Chambi in Kangra district, which has the largest number of assembly seats in the state, and asserted that Himachal needs a stable and strong government of "double engine".
&nbsp;

Brazil presidential polls 2022: Lula defeats incumbent Bolsonaro in an 'extremely' tight election

The election authority said da Silva's victory was a mathematical certainty.

Twenty years after first winning the Brazilian presidency, the leftist defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro Sunday in an extremely tight election that marks an about-face for the country after four years of far-right politics.
With more than 99 per cent of the votes tallied in the runoff vote, da Silva had 50.9 per cent and Bolsonaro 49.1 per cent, and the election authority said da Silva's victory was a mathematical certainty.
It is a stunning reversal for da Silva, 77, whose 2018 imprisonment over a corruption scandal sidelined him from the 2018 election that brought Bolsonaro, a defender of conservative social values, to power.
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&ldquo;Today the only winner is the Brazilian people," da Silva said in a speech at a hotel in downtown Sao Paulo. &ldquo;This isn't a victory of mine or the Workers' Party, nor the parties that supported me in campaign. It's the victory of a democratic movement that formed above political parties, personal interests and ideologies so that democracy came out victorious.&rdquo;
Da Silva is promising to govern beyond his leftist Workers's Party. He wants to bring in centrists and even some leaning to the right who voted for him for the first time, and to restore the country's more prosperous past.
Yet he faces headwinds in a politically polarised society where economic growth is slowing and inflation is soaring.
His victory marks the first time since Brazil's 1985 return to democracy that the sitting president has failed to win reelection. The highly polarised election in Latin America's biggest economy extended a wave of recent leftist victories in the region, including Chile, Colombia and Argentina.

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