FREE AND FAIR
UK general election: FTA with India on manifesto agenda for both Tory, Labour
As the UK gears up for the general election, a potential free trade agreement with India remains a key focus for both the Conservatives and Labour, with negotiations stalled at the fourteenth round. The Tories aim for a comprehensive partnership, including technology and defense, while Labour criticises missed deadlines and emphasises readiness to finalise the deal. Challenges include tariff removal on Scotch whisky and concerns over visa rules for Indian workers.
Had polls been free and fair, BJP would have won only 40 LS seats: Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray claimed BJP would have won only 40 seats in Lok Sabha polls if held fairly, alleging fraud in Mumbai North West seat won by Shiv Sena's Ravindra Waikar against Amol Kirtikar, backed by Eknath Shinde.
Pakistan's opposition leader praises 'enemy country' India's free and fair Lok Sabha elections
Pakistan's Opposition Leader, Syed Shibli Faraz, praised India's recent elections for their fairness and smooth power transition. Speaking in the Pakistani Senate, Faraz expressed a desire for similar electoral integrity in Pakistan. His sentiments were echoed by Pakistani ambassador Husain Haqqani, who lauded the scale and efficiency of India's democratic process.
ITR filing: Compare your tax outgo in old and new tax regime before finalising one for FY24
Sudhir Kaushik of TaxSpanner.com tells readers how they can optimise their tax by rejigging their incomes and investments. TaxSpanner estimates that Vivek Jaiswal can have a surplus of almost Rs.60,000 if his salary is rejigged to include tax-free perks and if he opts for the new tax regime. Here's how
BJD doling out cash, alleges Dharmendra Pradhan
"Cash-for-votes has been BJD's go-to method to sway voters. The news of involvement of government officials in distribution of money in the premises of state government Mission Shakti Bhawan in Remuna assembly is deplorable. A CM that claims to be number one has to resort to such undemocratic and unfair methods to gain electoral advantage. BJD has made a joke of free and fair elections," Pradhan wrote on social media platform 'X'.
Over 26,000 displaced Kashmiri Pandits to vote at 34 special polling stations set up in Jammu, Udhampur and Delhi
Over 26,000 displaced Kashmiri Pandit voters are eligible to vote at 34 polling stations in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag constituency. The newly created Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat covers the south Kashmir-Pir Panjal region and will cover districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Rajouri, and Poonch. Polling parties and security forces are being dispatched for special polling stations in Jammu and Udhampur districts. The Anantnag constituency is preparing for a competitive electoral showdown with nearly 18.36 lakh voters, including 9.02 lakh women, set to vote at 2,338 polling stations.
Arvind Kejriwal has already declared me guilty, how can he talk of fair probe: Swati Maliwal
AAP MP Swati Maliwal alleged 'Cheer haran' at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's house on May 13. She feels betrayed and her character is being assassinated daily after the assault incident.
Ensure protection of journalists covering polls: Editors Guild to EC
The guild also urged the commission to instruct all officers and personnel on election duty to be vigilant and take appropriate steps to ensure that journalists can freely report on this most important of all democratic exercises.
Jharkhand: Security forces thwart Maoist bid to block voter access to polling booths in Singhbhum
Polling parties and materials were air-dropped in 126 polling stations in Singhbhum, the officials said and added that apart from that, about 100 polling parties were dispatched via a special train from Chakradharpur to Rourkela. Upon reaching their destinations, namely Manoharpur, Jaraikela, and Posaita stations, they continued their journey on vehicles and foot to reach their assigned polling stations.
Mallikarjun Kharge's turnout delay charge aimed at creating confusion: ECI
In a 17-page communication to Kharge, the EC has said that while it respects the 'right to free speech', such utterances from the president of a national party can have a 'negative impact' on voter participation and demoralise election staff at this 'critical juncture'.
Aggression on vitals of live conduct of polls: EC over Kharge's letter on voter turnout data
The Election Commission condemned Kharge's biased letter on voter turnout data, rejecting mismanagement claims. It advised private concerns to avoid confusion, highlighted voter turnout trends, and votes polled in Constituencies.
EC pulls up Congress' Kharge for 'obstructing' Lok Sabha elections through 'baseless allegations'
The Election Commission of India rebukes Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for purportedly disrupting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Kharge's allegations regarding voter turnout data release are criticized as baseless and detrimental to free and fair polls, potentially discouraging voter participation and demoralizing election officials.
US Ambassador Garcetti dismisses concerns about democracy in India
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti expressed confidence in India's democracy, stating that it will remain vibrant with free and fair elections. He highlighted certain aspects of Indian democracy, such as the effort to ensure voting accessibility, where people go to great lengths to vote, even walking for days. He also noted positive practices during elections, such as efforts to prevent cash for votes. Garcetti emphasized the importance of the US-India relationship, acknowledging differences but also highlighting common ground and positive sentiments between the two countries.
Can't allow ongoing poll process to be called into question on mere speculation: Justice Datta
Writing his views in a separate verdict while concurring with the opinion of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who was heading the bench, Justice Datta said the EVMs have stood the test of time and the increased voting percentage was sufficient reason to hold that the voters have reposed faith in the current system.
"Don't need UN to tell me...": Jaishankar dismisses UN official's remark on elections in India
Jaishankar, who was here to campaign for his ministerial colleague and BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar in the Lok Sabha polls, also said that the UN official made the comment on the Indian elections last week in response to a "very loaded question" during a press briefing at the UN.
Hope that in India 'everyone's rights' are 'protected', people are able to vote in 'free & fair' atmosphere: UN Spokesperson
"What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair," Dujarric said at the daily press briefing Thursday.
CEC tells West Bengal officials to ensure level playing field during polls
"The state machinery is primarily responsible for free and fair elections... Impersonation should not be tolerated," Kumar said. He assured that a sufficient number of central security forces will come to the state and they will be deployed in an impartial manner. Polls in West Bengal are known to be fiercely contested. It has also witnessed violence in the past. "CAPF's duty is to travel across the country and thus they have come here. It is the primary duty of state police and responsibility of all combined."
India does not rush into trade agreements if it is not fair, balanced, equitable: Goyal
India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, emphasizes that India does not rush into Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) unless they are equitable, balanced, and fair for the country. He highlights the changed ground realities in India and stresses the importance of thorough negotiations. Current FTA negotiations include the UK, Oman, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Hope that countries will come to WTO meet with positive attitude like India: Piyush Goyal
India hopes for a positive outcome at the upcoming WTO meeting in Abu Dhabi, urging other countries to listen to the concerns of developing nations. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the WTO's role in setting trade rules but also acknowledged significant problems within the organization. The meeting will discuss various issues including agriculture, fisheries subsidies, and e-commerce trade duties. Goyal emphasized the need to conclude ongoing WTO issues like dispute resolution and reforms.
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