Elections 2019: Accept Defeat With Grace, BJP Tells Oppostion
Catch the latest news updates regarding the Lok Sabha elections 2019 here.
With all the seven phases for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections concluding on 19 May, the exit polls predicted a second victory for the NDA. The final results will be declared on 23 May.
Catch all the updates on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections here.
Nitish Terms Opposition Doubt Over EVMs 'Bogus'
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Tuesday termed as "bogus" the doubts raised by political parties about misuse of EVMs.
The chief minister said the use of EVMs has brought about a lot of transparency in the electoral process.
"Political groups tend to make such bogus allegations when faced with defeat. EVMs have been in use since much before the Modi government took over. I have always been in favour of these since this technology has brought about a lot of transparency in the electoral process," he said.
(PTI)
Prasar Bharati Joins Hands with Google for Dedicated Livestream of Poll Results on Youtube
Prasar Bharati and Google have joined hands for the election results day on May 23, providing for a dedicated live stream of the verdict of the Lok Sabha and state polls on YouTube.
Google and Prasar Bharati will celebrate the biggest festival of democracy on May 23 by creating a dedicated live stream of the results on YouTube, Prasar Bharati officials said.
Security Beefed up at Counting Centres in Delhi
With two days left for the declaration of results of the Lok Sabha polls, security has been beefed up in and around counting centres in the seven parliamentary constituencies of the national capital, officials said on Tuesday, 21May.
The deployment of security personnel for May 23, when the results of the Lok Sabha polls will be declared, has been made in accordance with the guidelines of the Election Commission, an official said.
In a statement, the Delhi police said, "Elaborate security arrangements have been made at the reception-cum-counting centres.
Chandrababu to Meet Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru
Continuing his efforts to unite Opposition parties against the BJP ahead of Lok Sabha results, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to meet former Prime Minister and JDS supremo HD Deve Gowda later on Tuesday, 21 May, in Bengaluru.
Naidu will, later in the day, have a meeting with his son and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, official sources said, as per PTI.
Tripura, Mizoram Poll Results to be Delayed for VVPAT Slips: Officials
Declaration of results for Lok Sabha polls on Thursday, 23 May, in Tripura and Mizoram would be delayed by three to four hours as counting of ballots would be completed only after tallying of VVPAT slips with EVM vote count in five polling stations – instead of one – in each Assembly segment, election officials said on Tuesday.
Not Even Going to Read the Show-Cause Notice: Congress' Roshan Baig
Roshan Baig, Congress MLA said, “I've received the show-cause notice sent to me by the KPCC. I'm not even going to bother to read it because it's clearly sent by the orders of the same people whose incompetencies were highlighted by me.”
Accept Defeat With Grace: BJP to Oppn Over EVM Row
The BJP condemned opposition parties for questioning the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and asked them to accept their defeat with grace if the people vote Prime Minister Narendra Modi to power again.
Sacked up Minister's Portfolio Allocated to MoS Anil Rajbhar
A day after sacking cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar, Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik allocated his portfolio of backward welfare and Divyangjan empowerment to minister of state Anil Rajbhar.
Cong Issues Show-Cause Notice to MLA Over Outbursts
The Congress issued a show-cause notice to senior leader and Karnataka legislator R Roshan Baig for his outbursts against the party leadership.
The remarks are being taken seriously as an “anti-party activity,” the notice said, asking him to explain within a week why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
PM Modi Arrives at BJP HQ for the Meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi for the meeting of Union Council of Minsters, as reported by ANI.
Dissent in Model Code Violation Cases Would Not Be Made Public: EC
Rejecting the demand of Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, the 'full commission' has ruled that dissents and minority views in EC orders in cases of model code violations would not be made public.
RLSP's Upendra Kushwaha Prompts Use of Arms to Save Votes
Upendra Kushwaha, RLSP in Patna said that in order to save the votes, to stop those who are tampering with the votes, if one needs to use arms, then one must.
“Vote ki raksha ke liye zaroorat pade toh hathiyaar bhi uthana ho toh uthaiye. Aaj jo result loot ki jo ghatna karne ki jo koshish ho rahi hai toh isko rokne ke liye hathiyaar bhi uthana ho toh uthana chahiye.”
BSP's Satish Mishra Demands Deployment of Central Forces
BSP's Satish Chandra Mishra said, “There is large-scale bungling relating to EVMs in Uttar Pradesh. We demand deployment of central forces.”
'EC Has Assured Us, Will Meet Us Again Tomorrow,' Says Congress' Abhishek Singhvi
Abhishek Singhvi, Congress after opposition's meeting with EC said, “We raised these same issues in last 1.5 months. We asked EC why have they not responded. Strangely, EC heard us for almost an hr&they assured us they'll meet again tomorrow morning to consider primarily these two issues.”
New Govt to Focus on Land, Labour Reforms, Export Promotion: Report
Land and labour reforms, privatisation and export promotion would be at the top of agenda of the new government irrespective of which party or coalition takes charge after the poll results on 23 May, a report has said.
Tight Security Arrangements for Counting Day in Kerala
Over 22,000 police personnel will be deployed in the state on May 23, the day results for the Lok Sabha elections will be declared, the police said. Security has been beefed up in senstitive areas.
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Maneka Gandhi & VK Singh Arrive for the Meeting
Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Maneka Gandhi and VK Singh arrive at the BJP Office in Delhi for meeting of Union Council of Ministers to be held at 5 pm.
SC Dismisses Plea Against Appointment of Observers for WB LS Polls
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea challenging the appointment of two retired bureaucrats as observers in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls, saying that the voting is already over.
22 Parties Submit a Memo to EC for VVPAT Verification
22 parties of the opposition have submitted a memorandum before the EC, requesting that the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified (05) polling stations should be done prior to the initiation of counting of votes and not after the completion of last round of counting, as reported by ANI.
Congress' Rizwan Arshad Calls Roshan Baig an 'Opportunist'
Rizwan Arshad of Congress on Roshan Baig: “He's an opportunist. If he has guts let him resign and contest from BJP. If Congress is such a bad party which gave him power for last 10 years and made him MLA for last 4 terms let him resign and contest from BJP. Let's see what happens in Shivajinagara.”
Complaints of Alleged Movement of EVMs Are False: EC
The Election Commission said “Complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms, doing rounds in sections of media. Would like to unambiguously clarify that reports are absolutely false. Visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls.”
EC continued, “The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since announcement of elections.”
Protests in UP After Videos Show 'Tampering' of EVMs
Protests broke out in some parts of Uttar Pradesh after videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs went viral on social media, a charge dismissed by the Election Commission as “frivolous” and “unfounded,” as per PTI.
EC Decides on Internal Proceedings in Its Meeting
Election Commission: In meeting of the Election Commission held today, it was inter alia decided that proceedings of the Commission meeting would be drawn including views of all members. Thereafter,formal instructions to this effect would be issued in consonance with extant laws/rules etc.
Deora Writes to Poll Body Over EVM Tampering
Two days before the scheduled counting of votes for the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora has written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer expressing possibility of “tampering of EVMs” stored in various centres in the city.
Onus of Ensuring Institutional Integrity is With EC: Ex-President Pranab Mukherjee
Former President Pranab Mukherjee issues statement, says ' Onus on ensuring institutional integrity in this case(security of EVMs) lies with the Election Commission, they must do so and put all speculations to rest'
KPCC Gen Sec Ghorpade Sends Notice to Congress MLA Baig Over His Statements
KPCC General Secretary Venkatrao Y Ghorpade sends notice to Congress MLA Roshan Baig over his statement against the AICC General Secretary, KC Venugopal, KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao and CLP leader Siddaramaiah. He has been asked to reply within one week.
EVM's Are Absolutely Fool Proof: Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer
Amid a slew of allegations by the opposition about the reliability of EVMs, Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh has said that the machines are "absolutely fool-proof" and fulfils all “transparency and administrative protocols.”
Uddhav Thackeray to Attend Dinner Meet For NDA Leaders In Delhi
Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray to attend dinner hosted by Amit Shah for NDA leaders on Tuesday, 21 May.
'10 Cong MLAs Told Me They Are Getting Calls Offering Money': Kamal Nath
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath told ANI, “I have complete trust on the MLAs of Congress party. At least 10 MLAs have told me now that they are getting phone calls where they are being offered money and posts.”
BJP Mulling Action Against Mandi MLA for Missing Modi's Rally
The BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit may soon take action against its Mandi MLA for not attending a rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in the assembly segment earlier this month, a party leader said.
EC's Silence on EVMs Being Switched Worrying: Mehbooba
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the silence of the Election Commission (EC) was worrying even after "evidence" had come to the fore that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls were being switched.
"BJP winning or losing isn't the end of the world. True that institutions were subverted & press standards plummeted. Yet many in the system & journalists with integrity stood up & raised their voices. Hope these results don't deter their resolve to fight for what's right," Mehbooba said.
Alliance in Karnataka Will Be in Trouble If Number Don't Favour: JD(S)
JD(S) spokesperson Tanvir Ahmed told CNN-News18, "If the numbers on results day don't favour us then there will be trouble for the Congress coalition in Karnataka." His statement comes a day after nearly all exit polls indicated a decisive victory for the BJP-led NDA government and a second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
Opposition Will Form A Strong Govt at The Centre: AAP Leader Sanjay Singh
BJP will be wiped off across the country. Exit poll will prove to be completely false, like it had happened before. Opposition will form a strong government at the Centre, says Sanjay Singh of Aam Aadmi Party.
Milind Deora Writes to Maha CEO Requesting 'Increased Vigilance At Counting Centres'
Mumbai Congress President Milind Deora writes to Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra requesting "increase of vigilance, security etc at counting centers, so that EVM machines should not get tampered in any manner whatsoever".
'EVM Malfunction Allegations Not New From Losing Faction': Nitish Kumar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that questions on EVM “is bogus”.
“After introduction of EVMs, elections have become transparent. It's a technology which has been questioned multiple times & have been answered by EC. The faction which begins losing says there were discrepancies in elections. It's not new.”
MPCC Candidates Hold Meeting in Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee meeting of party candidates is underway in Bhopal. Chief Minister Kamal Nath also present in the meeting.
AIADMK Asks Counting Agents to Be Alert Over DMK's 'Dishonest Practices'
The AIADMK on Tuesday instructed its counting agents to remain vigilant over archrival DMK's "dishonest practices" during the counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly by-polls, and asked them to ensure all standard procedures were followed.
AIADMK Coordinator O Panneerselvam and Joint Coordinator K Palaniswami said in a statement that agents must follow a slew of steps, including reaching the counting centres as early as 6 AM on May 23.
Palaniswami is Tamil Nadu Chief Minister while Panneerselvam is his deputy.
EC Tells CPI(M) It Will Work Out Guidelines For Counting: Yechury
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury told CNN-News18, “We made a proposal that the counting of the entire assembly segment should be taken up. The Election Commission told us that they will work out some guidelines.”
AAP Leader Sanjay Singh Meets SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav
Sanjay Singh of AAP said, after meeting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, “Results will be declared after 2 days. We met to discuss the strategy to be followed after that. The first priority is to stop BJP, pair of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah & communal forces. This was also a courtesy call.”
SC Dismisses Plea Challenging Appointment of Observers for LS Polls in West Bengal
The Supreme Court Tuesday refused to entertain a plea challenging the appointment of two retired bureaucrats as special observer and central police observer in West Bengal for Lok Sabha polls.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah said it was not inclined to entertain the petition as polling is already over.
PM Modi to Reach BJP HQ at 4 PM
PM Narednra Modi to reach BJP Headquarters at 4 pm. Soon after that the meeting with all cabinet ministers will begin.
5 BJP Workers Attacked Allegedly by TMC Workers in West Bengal
Five BJP workers were injured last night after they were attacked allegedly by TMC workers in Sitai, Cooch Behar in West Bengal. More details awaited.
Cong Deputes KC Venugopal to Meet Kumaraswamy Ahead of Big Meet
After the reports of JD(S)‘s HD Kumaraswamy cancelling his Delhi visit, Congress deputes senior leader KC Venugopal to meet the Karnataka chief minister, as per News18.
Cong Candidate Writes to Mirzapur Observer Requesting Removal of EVMs From Counting Venue
Congress party candidate from Mirzapur, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi has written to the observer of the Lok Sabha constituency requesting him to remove the reserve EVMs, kept at the counting venue, in front of political parties' candidate & their representatives, while being photographed, as per ANI.
Arvind Kejriwal to Be Part of Oppn Delegation Meeting EC
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal will also be a part of the delegation of opposition leaders meeting the Election Commission on Tuesday in the national capital.
SC Dismisses Plea Seeking 100% Matching of VVPAT With EVMs
Supreme Court dismisses the petition filed by a group of technocrats seeking a direction that the number of machines subject to verification of VVPATs to be increased to 100%. A vacation bench of the Apex Court did not find any merit in the petition filed by the technocrats.
Coming down heavily on the petitioner, Justice Mishra, while dismissing the petition, said, "Won't entertain such kind of plea over&over again. We can't come in the way of people electing their representatives." The Justice also termed the move of the petitioner, a "nuisance" PIL.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to Attend Dinner at BJP HQ
Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar to attend the dinner hosted by BJP President Amit Shah for NDA allies on Tuesday. It was reported earlier that he will skip the dinner meet.
BSP Suspends Senior Leader Ramvir Upadhyay
The BSP on Tuesday suspended senior leader and former minister Ramvir Upadhyay from the party for his "anti-party" activities.
Upadhyay has also been removed from the post of chief whip of the party in the state assembly, BSP General Secretary Mewalal Gautam said.
Randeep Surjewala Takes a Dig At BJP For Showing The Door to OP Rajbhar
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday lashed out at the BJP for ousting OP Rajbhar from the Uttar Pradesh cabinet right after the elections concluded.
He wrote on Twitter, "Election over - real face exposed. It is a divisible way to expel the oppressed, the underprivileged, and the poor just like a fly from the milk."
Sensex, Nifty Hit Fresh All-Time Highs
Sensex extended gains to hit fresh high of 39,513.19. The broader 50-share NSE index also hit a new landmark, breaching 11,850-mark for the first timer in history.
HD Kumaraswamy Cancels His Delhi Visit
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy cancels his visit to Delhi. Kumaraswamy backs out of opposition’s EVM meeting.
Polling at One Booth of Kolkata Uttar Constituency Declared Void: EC
Election Commission said the poll held on 19 May at polling station number 200 of the Kolkata Uttar parliamentary constituency declared void. Re-poll to be held on 22 May from 7 am to 6 pm.
Fire Breaks Out At Counting Centre in Andhra
A fire broke out at one of the counting centres in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati town on Monday night, triggering mild panic, the police said, reports The News Minute.
The incident occurred in an engineering college on the premises of the Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) at the outskirts of the town. Officials had set up tables and made other arrangements for counting of votes on 23 May.
NDA Leaders to Meet on 21 May Over Dinner
Top leaders of National Democratic Alliance to meet over dinner on Tuesday ahead of declaration of Lok Sabha poll results on Thursday.
BJP in Haryana Starts Preparations for Upcoming Assembly Election
A day after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls came to an end and most exit polls projected BJP in a comfortable position in Haryana, the saffron party Monday said it has started preparations for the assembly polls in the state, due in October.
Pranab Mukherjee Hails EC, Says Polls Were Conducted 'Perfectly'
At a time when the Election Commission is under fire from opposition parties for being biased, former president Pranab Mukherjee on Monday lauded the role of the poll panel saying the 2019 Lok Sabha polls were conducted "perfectly".
Chandrababu Naidu, Other Oppn Leaders to Hold Meeting Today
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and other opposition parties leaders to hold a meeting on Tuesday, 21 May in Delhi.
‘Not My PSO, Modi Wants to Kill Me,’ Says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday, 20 May, hit back at BJP leader Vijay Goel, who had said the CM should have the personal security officer of his choice if he doubts him, saying it is “Modi Ji who wants to get me killed, not my PSO.”
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