POLLING DEVICES
Polls and weather take a toll on smartphone sales in June quarter
The smartphone market in the June quarter is likely to be tepid due to the impact of elections, heatwaves, and floods, leading some market experts to lower their growth outlook for 2024 smartphone shipments. Analysts expect a slowdown in Q2 shipments compared to Q1 due to fewer launches and adverse weather conditions. Counterpoint Research forecasts a 3-5% decline in Q2 shipments, with a revised annual forecast of 152 million units, reflecting a 3% year-on-year growth, down from the initial 5% growth prediction.
Mamata Banerjee hits out at Centre for lack of anti-collision devices
Banerjee said, "The Railways has become parent-less and has lost its beauty and glory," adding "passenger amenities have been reduced while polls are rigged." "There is no Railway budget anymore. You can see Railways at the time of inaugurations. It has become a fashion-statement of sorts."
'No OTP needed for unlocking EVMs': Mumbai North West Returning Officer rubbishes claims of a Mumbai daily
A poll official on Sunday said an EVM was a standalone system that does not need an OTP to unlock it. Vandana Suryavanshi, returning officer of Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency, was reacting to a report in Mid-day newspaper about a kin of Ravindra Waikar, the Shiv Sena candidate who emerged victorious there by a wafer thin margin of 48 votes, using a mobile phone connected to an EVM during vote counting on June 4.
ED raids portal involved in betting on 2024 poll results, illegal IPL broadcast
The Enforcement Directorate has undertaken raids in Mumbai and Pune as part of a money laundering probe against a website accused of illegal activities. The site in question allegedly engaged in online betting on the 2024 Lok Sabha election results and unauthorized broadcasting of IPL cricket matches.
How an Israeli firm tried to build anti-BJP narrative during polls
OpenAI claims to have disrupted an AI-based covert operation launched by an Israeli firm that allegedly peddled anti-BJP agenda. In 2021, the BJP government drew flak after Israeli spyware Pegasus was allegedly used to snoop on journalists, Opposition leaders and rights activists
Lok Sabha election results 2024: Here is step-by-step process of checking poll results on Election Commission's website
ECI Lok Sabha Election Result 2024: The Election Commission releases early trends for the 18th Lok Sabha polls. The NDA, led by BJP, is leading in 227 seats while the INDIA bloc is ahead in 137 seats.
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US stocks listless in countdown to Nvidia results, Fed minutes
All eyes will be on whether semiconductor bellwether Nvidia's first-quarter results, due after markets close, can meet sky-high expectations and sustain the bumper gains the company's shares and other AI-related stocks recorded. The Nasdaq briefly touched a fresh record high in choppy trading.
If Modi is re-elected, these sectors will get his most attention
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to propel India to become the world's third-largest economy if re-elected for a third term. His ambitious 100-day agenda post-election includes prioritizing manufacturing, new-age technology, infrastructure development, and clean energy sectors. The government aims to implement reforms to boost economic growth and attract foreign investment.
Supreme Court dismisses PIL alleging violation of voter secrecy
The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL claiming voter secrecy violation citing lack of merit and petitioner's ignorance of a previous verdict rejecting EVM manipulation allegations. The petitioner's counsel argued that polling officers could identify votes from VVPAT slips and EVM data, but the court refuted. The court upheld the security of EVMs and allowed unsuccessful candidates to request EVM chip verification.
Plea in SC seeks review of EVM VVPAT verdict
A review petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging its rejection of reverting to paper ballots and cross-verifying EVM votes with VVPAT. The court dismissed manipulation suspicions of EVMs in its April 26 judgment, permitting limited EVM verification. The ruling also sealed symbol loading units post-elections.
Denied tickets, betting sites still vie for seats in poll arena
Offshore betting apps in India allow users to bet on elections using rupees. Criminals use mule accounts for money laundering, evading taxes. Gaming experts noted a smaller scale of betting in the 2019 general elections.
Can't devise policy in middle of polls, trust ECI to take action: Delhi HC on deepfake videos
The Delhi High Court declined to intervene in the issue of deepfake technologies being used in the Lok Sabha poll campaign, trusting the Election Commission of India (ECI) to handle it. The court directed a lawyers' organization to present its plea to the ECI, urging the formulation of guidelines to prevent the misuse of deepfake videos. It instructed the ECI to decide on the representation by May 6.
Final electoral roll has over 4.14 crore voters in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh CEO Meena finalized the electoral roll with 4.14 crore voters. The state prepares for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections on May 13, with voting conducted under various safety measures to facilitate a smooth electoral process.
Lok Sabha Poll Call 2024: ECI orders storing, sealing of symbol loaders from Phase 3
Sealing and securing could see a shortage of up to 3,000 SLUs for the last two phases as the symbol loading machines used from phase 3 to phase 5 would not be available for reuse. To avoid a shortage, ECI is learnt to have directed Bharat Electronics and Electronics Corporation of India to ensure availability of the required number of SLUs, including accessories, for the remaining phases, and assembly elections to some states.
EVM VVPAT case: SC rejects pleas seeking paper audit of all votes, says 'blindly doubting can breed scepticism'
The Supreme Court dismissed all petitions seeking 100% verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta delivered the verdict. The court stated it cannot intervene in elections solely based on doubts about EVM efficacy.
Lok Sabha elections 2024: How to download voter slip? Here is a complete guide
The Lok Sabha Elections' second phase is scheduled for April 26. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the distribution of Voter Information Slips (VIS) to registered voters. VIS includes personal details and polling station information, with a QR code for verification. Obtain the slip via the Voter Helpline app or ECI website, print it, and take it to the polling station for voting.
Manipur: IED blast damages bridge connecting Imphal and Dimapur ahead of polls
Bridge connecting Imphal and Dimapur damaged by IED explosion, affecting heavy vehicle movement on National Highway 2. Security impacted ahead of polls. The bridge along the National Highway 2, which passes through Koubru Leikha, Sapermeina villages, and Kangpokpi district of Manipur, has developed huge caters at several places following the blast. The highway is over 1,300km.
'Major breakthrough' ahead of polls as 3 powerful IEDs seized in J-K's Poonch
Officials reported a significant breakthrough on Wednesday, as they discovered three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at a terrorist hideout in the border district of Poonch. The IEDs, weighing between three to 20 kgs each, were deemed a crucial find, particularly given the proximity to the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Lok Sabha elections: Women and Divyang employees to operate polling booths in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand's preparations for the Lok Sabha elections include booth arrangements by women personnel, model booths operated by different groups, mandatory GPS tracking for vehicles, door-to-door voting for specific voter categories, leading up to the polling on April 19 across five constituencies.
These sectors will get priority if Modi wins a third term
While PM Modi has been emphasising that India will become the third-largest economy during the third term of his government, he has also spoken about his specific plans to boost the economy.
Smartphone sales may slow down on weak demand ahead of polls
Market trackers said tepid demand has dampened sales in the high-volume sub-₹20,000 price segment that was expected to revive this year led by budget 5G smartphones. According to Counterpoint Research, smartphone sales fell around 5% on year in January, with similar trends being observed for February.
Govt, companies must team up to counter AI misinformation during polls: Adobe’s Dana Rao
Addressing AI-generated misinformation is an urgent global threat. Collaboration between governments and the tech industry, setting standards, and fast-tracking regulatory frameworks are crucial to combat this issue without stifling innovation.
Amid geopolitical tensions, Iranians prepare to elect parliamentary, religious leaders today
Over 61.2 million people are eligible to vote in parliamentary elections in Iran. The elections will determine the country's next supreme leader and the composition of the parliament and the Assembly of Experts. Conservative and hardline candidates, including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and 30 allied candidates in Tehran, are expected to win the majority of seats.
US divided on TikTok ban even as Biden campaign joins the app, AP-NORC poll shows
President Joe Biden's campaign uses TikTok to court young voters, despite mixed views. Concerns about data sharing, propaganda, children's time on TikTok, and misinformation persist. Fact-checking initiatives are implemented. Former Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joins TikTok. Fact-checking hubs are established for the European Union elections.
1 dead as 10 bomb, grenade attacks rock Balochistan ahead of general polls
The Pakistan Election Commission has reported on bomb and grenade attacks in Balochistan, which occurred a few days before the Pakistan general elections on February 8. At least ten attacks occurred in different areas of Balochistan in one day, resulting in the death of one man. The Balochistan government tightened security in all cities and towns across the province.
Lok Sabha polls: How EC is working on men, machines and processes to ensure 2024 election is a success
Every Indian election is familiar with money and muscle power. Over Rs 3,500 crore worth of cash, freebies, liquor and drugs were seized in the 2019 LS polls. In the 2023-24 assembly polls, this figure was Rs 1,760 crore in just five states –– seven times more than in 2018. As we head into 2024 general polls, the scale and challenge will only be bigger. The EC has a tried and tested SOP which it keeps tightening to address these issues.
Xiaomi Q3 net income jumps on cost savings, revenue rises
Net income jumped by 183% from a year earlier to 6 billion yuan thanks to lower component costs and efficiencies across the business, compared to a consensus estimate of 4.6 billion yuan.
First phase of Chhattisgarh polls marred by Naxalite attacks and encounters
The first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh was marred by an IED blast triggered by Naxalites and three separate encounters between the rebels and security personnel. A commando of CoBRA was injured in the blast, and an AK-47 rifle was recovered after an encounter. Naxalites may have been killed or injured during the face-off. Two encounters took place in Sukma and Narayanpur districts, with no harm reported to security personnel.
Chhattisgarh polls: We'll use all tech resources to thwart any bid by Maoists to disrupt elections, says Bastar Police chief
"For the smooth conduct of the election, we will be using all tech resources under our disposal. I won't be able to disclose their total numbers for security reasons," said Sundarraj who is Inspector General of Police of the Bastar range, a 39,000 sq. km area that comprises seven districts - Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, and Sukma.
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