Indian elections 2009

[Bane Blade]

I was wondering if their is already a thread and this is the current events section I couldn't find one but I decided to start one on the Indian elections anyway.

Please post happenings of the election I will add a bit of BBC news after this first introductory post.

 

[Bane Blade]

Millions of Indians go to polls​

Indians have begun voting in the first round of the country's 15th general elections.

Voters in 124 constituencies are taking part in the ballot. There are four other phases between round one and the last phase on 13 May.

More than 700 million Indians overall are eligible to vote for seats in the lower house of parliament.

The incumbent Congress-led coalition government is facing a challenge from the main opposition BJP-led alliance.

The two main blocs are also competing against a "third front" of communist and regional parties in a poll that is too close to call.

Results are due on 16 May and a new parliament must be in place by 2 June.

Voters began queuing up early at many polling stations across the country. TV pictures showed women queuing in Assam in light drizzle.

Among high profile candidates who arrived early to cast his vote was former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor in the southern city of Thiruvananthapuram.

"It is a great privilege to vote. It is an extra bonus to vote for myself," said Mr Tharoor, who is standing for the Congress party. "I should be able to romp home."

A massive security operation is in place. In the eastern state of Jharkhand six paramilitary soldiers were killed in a landmine blast blamed on Maoist rebels, police said.

Maoists also attacked a polling booth in Malkangiri district in eastern Orissa state and burned some electronic voting machines, police said. The rebels have also blocked roads in the district after felling trees.

Local issues

The first voting takes place in constituencies spread across the country, including volatile areas in north and central India.

States where voting takes place are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Lakshwadeep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

More than two million security personnel are expected to be deployed, especially after a string of recent attacks by Maoist rebels who have threatened to disrupt the vote.

Thousands of police and paramilitary troops have been deployed across the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, which will vote for both national and state assembly representatives.

"We have taken every necessary measure to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections. Now you go out and vote," state director general of police AK Mohanty said in the state capital, Hyderabad.

Thousands of troops have also been placed on alert in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which has the most seats in the national parliament. Polling will take place for 16 of the state's 80 seats.

Security concerns are also likely to be high in the eastern state of Bihar, where heavily armed Maoist rebels on Wednesday attacked a paramilitary camp set up for the elections, wounding one soldier, senior police official Vikas Vaibhav told the Associated Press news agency.

The district where the attack took place is 140km (87 miles) south-west of the state capital, Patna. It too goes to the polls Thursday.

Neither of the two main parties in the election - Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - is expected to gain a clear majority.

Both may have to depend on the support of smaller parties to form a government - and correspondents say the campaign rhetoric in recent days has become increasingly bitter.

While security and the economy are key election issues, especially after last year's attacks in Mumbai (Bombay), global economic meltdown and local and regional issues are all expected to be key issues.

 

[Bane Blade]

BJP man held over 'hate speech'​

A key Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in the eastern state of Orissa has been arrested in connection with an alleged hate speech against Christians.

Ashok Sahu, the BJP candidate in the Kandhamal constituency, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon.

Police had registered a case against Mr Sahu over a speech at an election meeting at Raikia on 5 April.

Dozens died and hundreds of churches and houses were damaged in anti-Christian riots in Kandhamal last year.

Slogans

On Saturday, the Election Commission had asked the district administration to press charges against Mr Sahu after watching a video recording of the speech he made at Raikia.

On Sunday, police raided the hotel in Phulbani, the district headquarters of Kandhamal, where Mr Sahu was staying, but did not find him.

Police did detain him later in Nayagarh district but had to let him go as he insisted on an arrest warrant.

Mr Sahu continued to give media interviews but was arrested in Phulbani on Tuesday.

Dozens of activists chanted slogans in support of him as he was taken away.

Today is the last day of campaigning before the first phase of elections starts on 16 April.

Kandhamal police superintendent S Praveen Kumar said Mr Sahu would be produced in a local court.

The BJP reacted sharply to the arrest, saying that it was "undemocratic" and "arbitrary".

"It is a black day for democracy in Orissa," an official BJP statement said.

 

[white_pawn]

India’s election defies prediction
By James Lamont in Varanasi

Published: April 15 2009 19:29 | Last updated: April 15 2009 19:29

Communal rivalries are at the forefront of voters’ minds as India, the world’s largest democracy, goes to the polls in a month-long, five-phase parliamentary election on Thursday.

The contest pits the ruling Congress party-led coalition against the Bharatiya Janata party, the Hindu nationalist opposition, in a fight over the government’s response to terrorism and the country’s economic prosperity. But identity politics threatens to overshadow all else as secular, religious and caste-based parties try to woo supporters.

As 714m people prepare to vote, the election is defying prediction. Some analysts fear the two big national parties will be unable to form a ruling coalition after the count on May 16. This threatens to bring into power a weak government of diverse regional parties that will struggle to forge a response to the global economic downturn.

In Varanasi, the holiest city for Hindus, a furious contest is being fought. The BJP has fielded one of its top candidates, Murli Manohar Joshi, a former government minister and physics professor, to unseat Rajesh Mishra of the Congress party and capture the spiritual prize of India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh. Mukhtar Ansari, the Bahujan Samaj party’s candidate, meanwhile, has campaigned from a jail cell.

Party workers and election officials were on Wednesday night preparing for the contest at the constituency’s 2,477 polling stations. “Varanasi is a mini-India. People from all over the country come here,” said Swaroopam Dwivedi, a BJP activist confident of his party’s victory. “This is one of the most important seats where the national leaders are fighting. Our candidate is an intellectual but he’s also a strongman.”

At Congress headquarters, Muslim community leaders showed their support for Sonia Gandhi, the Congress president, and Manmohan Singh, the prime minister. They said there had been no communal riots in the city after the Mumbai terror attacks last year because of the Congress leadership.

“Muslims are like the eyes of the Hindus. You can’t take the eyes out [of the body],” said Brajesh Kumar Mishra, the Congress MP’s elder brother and campaign manager. “We are proud that we are going to defeat the top brass of the BJP.”

.Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009

FT.com / India / Politics & Society - India?s election defies prediction

 

[Bane Blade]

Advani dubs Singh as “weak” leader
Updated at: 1710 PST, Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Advani dubs Singh as “weak” leader NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and chief rival Lal Krishna Advani lashed out at each other, raising the political temperature three days before the first votes are cast in general elections.

Advani, prime ministerial candidate for the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, branded Congress party incumbent Singh a “weak” leader who had devalued the office by having to bow to party chief Sonia Gandhi over key decisions.

Singh used a press conference in Mumbai today to hit back, accusing 81-year-old Advani of wringing his hands in frustration while one of his chief ministers “condones a pogrom targeted at minorities.”

That was a reference to Narendra Modi, the controversial BJP chief minister of the western state of Gujarat, where more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in 2002 riots after a fire on a train claimed 58 lives, largely those of Hindu pilgrims.

Opinion polls suggest neither of India’s main political alliances will be able to win a clear majority in the elections, which end on May 13.

“Mr. Advani has the unique ability to combine strength in speech with weakness in actions,” Singh said. “This is not the kind of strength we need.”

Advani went on the offensive as he campaigned today for his party in the southern state of Kerala before the first round of voting on April 16.

Advani dubs Singh as “weak” leader - GEO.tv

 

[Bane Blade]

Court orders Varun Gandhi release

A grandson of ex-India PM Indira Gandhi, detained for inciting religious tension, has been freed on bail for two weeks to continue poll campaigning.

The Supreme Court ordered Varun Gandhi to refrain from "provocative speeches" while he was on parole.

He was detained in Uttar Pradesh under the National Security Act for alleged derogatory comments against Muslims.

He is standing in the election as a candidate of the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP officials say Mr Gandhi is now free to file his election nomination papers as a parliamentary candidate by the deadline of 24 April and will continue campaigning for the party.

Mr Gandhi - who was detained last month - has denied making inflammatory speeches and said a recording of them had been "doctored".

The Election Commission said it was convinced that footage of Mr Gandhi's speech had "not been tampered with, doctored or morphed as alleged by the respondent".

Dynasty

His arrest was marked by violent protests by his supporters. Under the National Security Act, a person can be detained up to one year without bail.

The footage of Mr Gandhi's rallies on 6 and 8 March in Pilibhit have been broadcast on Indian television.

Mr Gandhi cannot be barred from contesting elections unless he is convicted or found guilty by courts and sentenced to at least two years in jail.

Mr Gandhi is the son of Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's younger son who was killed in a plane crash.

Although he is a descendant of the influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, Mr Gandhi belongs to a side of the family that has disowned it.


BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Court orders Varun Gandhi release

 

[Bane Blade]

Why is no one interseted in the Indian elections????

 

[Screaming Skull]

60 per cent voting in first phase of LS polls​

Bravo, Bravo
​

April 16, 2009

In the first phase of the five-phased Lok Sabha polls, an estimated 60 per cent of the 14.30 crore voters exercised their franchise in 124 constituencies across India on Thursday.

Simultaneous elections to assemblies in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa also drew about 60 per cent voters' response with the polling today covering more than half of the constituencies in the two states.

"Considering the complexity and the challenges, the Election Commission is totally satisfied with today's polling," Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan told reporters in New Delhi while briefing mediapersons about the voter turnout.

Balakrishnan said that 1.85 lakh polling stations were involved in today's exercise, of which 76,000 polling stations came under some degree of Naxal threat. Across the regions which went to polls today, voting was disrupted at 86 polling stations, 71 of them by Naxals, he said, adding that the election was 'largely peaceful'.

Noting that most of the Naxal-affected areas were kept together in the first phase, he said that the EC was aware of this particular challenge and kept a close watch on the polling. He said the polling percentage ranged from 46 per cent in Bihar to 86 per cent in Lakshadweep.

Balakrishnan said the tentative polling percentage was 65 per cent in Andhra Pradesh, 62 per cent in Arunachal Pradesh, 62 per cent in Assam, 48 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir, 60 per cent in Kerala, 54 per cent in Maharashtra, 68 per cent in Manipur, 65 per cent in Meghalaya, 52 per cent in Mizoram, 84 per cent in Nagaland, 53 per cent in Orissa, 50 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, 51 per cent in Chhatisgarh, 50 per cent in Jharkhand and 62 per cent in Andaman and Nicobar.

He said the polling percentage is likely to increase as the voting was in progress in some places and the polling parties were yet to return in some others. A decision on re-polling will be taken in consultation with the observers.

Balakrishnan said 201 people were arrested including two legislators and a candidate from Bihar. He informed that polling in the Jammu parliamentary constituency and in Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh was incident-free.

Bravo, Bravo
​

 

[shravan]

Naxal strikes kill 18 on Lok Sabha polling day - India - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Naxalites struck in a big way in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa killing 18 people, including five poll officials and ten security personnel, as moderate to brisk voting was reported across 15 states and two union territories on the first day of polling for Lok Sabha elections.

Shortly after voting began this morning, Naxalites detonated a landmine targeting a bus ferrying Border Security Force personnel in Latehar district in Jharkhand in which five personnel and two civilians were killed.

Naxalites blew up a vehicle carrying poll officials in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district, killing five of them and injuring two others, police said.

Polling booths were set on fire and there was exchange of fire between the Naxals and the security forces in Dandewada and Narainpur areas in the state that left two CRPF jawan dead and five others injured in Maruki in Dandewada, about 350 kms from Raipur.

Voting which began on a sedate note in 124 constituencies this morning picked up during the day. Today's election will decide among others the fate of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi and Yashwant Sinha and TRS president K Chandrasekar Rao. There are 1,715 candidates in the fray.

Maoists also set afire at least three polling booths, electronic voting machines and other materials in Orissa's Malkangiri district today, disrupting voting.

In Bihar, a homeguard and a police official on election duty were shot dead and another injured by Naxals in Singhpur village in Gaya district, police said. Two other police personnel were reported missing.

Deputy Commissioner Sarvendu Tathagat in Latehar, about 125 kms from Ranchi, said the BSF personnel were returning from Ladhup to Arah after having carried of patrolling duty in Naxal strongholds when they were attacked. A helicopter has flown to the spot for rescue operations, he said.

Maoists set afire at least three polling booths, destroying electronic voting machines and other poll material in Orissa's Malkangiri district. Polling was disrupted in the area.

A staggering 1.85 lakh polling stations were set up by the Election Commission to enable about 14.31 crore voters to exercise their franchise.

Elections to 154 Assembly segments in Andhra Pradesh and 70 in Orissa were also held today.

While all 20 seats in Kerala, 11 in Chhattisgarh and two each in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya went to polls in a single phase today, polling was held in 13 out of 40 seats in Bihar, 16 out of 80 in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra 13 (48), Andhra Pradesh 22 (42), Jharkhand 6 (14), Orissa 10 (21), Assam 3 (14), Manipur 1 (2) and Jammu and Kashmir 1 (6).

The lone seats in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Mizoram and Nagaland were also covered in the first phase.

Prominent among those who contested today were Union Ministers Praful Patel, Renuka Chowdhury, D Purandeswari, Santosh Mohan Dev, Meira Kumar, Rameshwar Oraon and E Ahamed and BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy, former UN Under-Secretary General Shashi Tharoor and south Indian actress Vijaya Shanti.

The second phase of polling will be held on April 23, and voting in the remaining phases will take place on April 30, May seven and May 13.

 

[Screaming Skull]

Andhra witnesses 68% polling in first phase​

April 16, 2009

The chief electoral officer of Andhra Pradesh, I V Subba Rao has put the percentage of polling in the state in the first phase at 68%.

While the state capital Hyderabad recorded lowest polling of 54%, the highest 75% was in Medak where film actress Vijayshanti was the candidate of the Telganana Rashtra Samiti backed by the Telugu Desam Party and the Left parties.

Warangal and Mahbubabad (SC) recorded 70% each, Vizianagaram 68%, Adilabad (ST) 65%, Visakhapatana, Mahbubnagar and Nagarkurnool (SC) 64% each, Nizamabad, Zaheerabad, Chevella, Anakapalle and Khammam 62% each, Araku (ST) 61, Malkajgiri, Nalgonda and Bhongir 60%, Karimnagar 57% and Peddapalle (SC) and Secunderabad recorded 56% polling.

Meanwhile, in an unusual phenomenon, polling was continuing in some of the constituencies in Andhra Pradesh even after 6 pm. The election officials in Hyderabad said that the polling was being allowed at some place beyond the scheduled time of 4 pm because of various reasons.

Election staff reached late at some of the remote places due to which polling started late. "Accordingly the time limit has been extended", a senior official said.

Similarly polling started late at some places due to snags in the electronic voting machine and this also had to be compensated.

"We are allowing all those persons to vote who joined the queues before 4 pm", said Chief Electoral Officer I V Subba Rao.

According to a report from Vizianagaram, polling was going on at the polling station of Morakamudidam mandal even after 7-15 pm, and there were still 200 people standing in the queue.

Polling at some places was also disrupted due to the power cuts, the reports.

​

 

[shravan]

Jammu PC Records 49% Voter Turnout

Srinagar, April 16: Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency witnessed a moderate polling on Thursday amid tight security and vigil maintained by various security agencies. Polling 5% more than 2004 LS elections Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Mr. B. R. Sharma said that polling in Jammu Parliamentary constituency (PC), which went to polls in the first phase of the five-phased Lok Sabha elections today, was peaceful and complaint-free and added that nearly 49 per cent voter turnout was recorded, which is a five per cent increase as compared to 2004 polls. He said the poll percentage in 2004 Lok Sabha elections in Jammu PC was 44.49.

Addressing a crowded press conference here this evening, which was also attended by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IG, Jammu Zone, Mr. K. Rajendra and Director Information, Mr. Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Mr. Sharma said the increase in poll percentage this time can be attributed to growing faith of the people of the State in the democratic institutions of the country.

Mr. Sharma said barring some trivial incidents which are a part of normal democratic exercise, polling was totally peaceful and there was no untoward incident reported from any where in the constituency.

Giving details of the poll percentage recorded in the four districts of Jammu PC, Mr. Sharma said that Samba recorded 47, Jammu 51, Rajouri 49 and Poonch district recorded poll percentage of 47.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that these were preliminary figures as final figures will be available only after receiving the Presiding Officers’ diaries from all the polling stations of the constituency.

While giving detailed break-up of Assembly segment-wise voter turnout, Mr. Sharma said that Samba recorded 43 per cent, Vijaypur 50, Nagrota 40, Gandhinagar 43, Jammu East 48, Jammu West 50, Bishnah 46, R. S. Pura 55, Suchetgarh 56, Marh 54, Raipur-Domana 51, Akhnoor 61, Chhamb 53, Nowshera 45, Darhal 58, Rajouri 47, Kalakote 42, Surankote 40, Mendhar 56 and Poonch-Haveli recorded 45 per cent voter turn out.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that polling was conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner and mock polls were conducted in all the polling station between 6.30 a.m. to 7 a.m today. However, he said, “In certain polling stations, the mock polls had to be conducted in absence of polling agents of various political parties as they did not turn up before 7 a.m. when polling was scheduled to start”. He said that 125 such polling stations have been identified and a detailed report is being sought from the concerned authorities.

Clashes, firing, boycott mar polling
Trivial incidents of clashes between supporters of the rival political parties, firing by security forces and 'boycott' of elections by voters at one polling station today marked the otherwise peaceful polling for the Jammu Parliamentary seat, covering 20 Assembly segments of Jammu and Kashmir.

Covering 20 Assembly segments spread over four border districts of Samba, Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch, the Jammu Lok Sabha seat went to polls in first of the five-phased elections for the total six Parliamentary seats in Jammu and Kashmir.
Barring some incidents of violence, the overall polling remained peaceful in over 2,210 booths established for more than 1.72 lakh voters in the constituency, official sources said.

Voting was suspended at 44-A-Salwah polling station in Mendhar area of Poonch after an EVM was damaged in clashes between the Congress and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supporters, the sources added.

‘’The EVM at 44-Salwah polling booth, under the jurisdiction of Mendhar police station, was damaged, following the clashes between two groups of people,’’ a local correspondent told UNI, asserting that over 12 people sustained injuries in the incident.
When contacted, Mendhar police said senior police officials had also rushed to the Salwah polling station, where intermittent clashes were reported.

As many as 12 people were wounded, including four seriously, during clashes, the sources said, adding the polling at 44-Salwah station restored at about 0130 hours.
In similar clashes between two parties, six people each were injured at 35-Chak Bonala and 37-Salwah Nar polling stations in Mendhar tehsil, they said.

At least three people were wounded in a clash between National Conference (NC) and PDP supporters at 80-Darhal polling station in Rajouri district, official sources said.
''The incident occurred after a verbal dual between NC and PDP workers over voting of a person,'' a senior police officer said, adding the injured have been shifted to a hospital and polling at the booth has been restored.

 

[Screaming Skull]

Faith in democracy: 50 pc voter turnout in Kandhamal​

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Bhubaneswar: Elections passed off peacefully in Orissa's Kandhamal district, with around 50 percent voter turnout, an official said on Thursday.

The district witnessed communal riots last year that killed 38 people. "As per the preliminary estimate the voting was around 50 percent. It may go up a little because half the polling stations are located in the interior areas and we are yet to get the full details," District Collector Krishan Kumar told IANS.

"Nearly 80 percent of the voters living in the relief camps also exercised their franchise in their respective polling stations with the help of local administration," Kumar said.

Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread communal violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram August 23, 2008.

At least 38 people were killed and more than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after being attacked by rampaging mobs. About 3,170 people are still living in government-run relief camps.

There were apprehensions of trouble after Ashok Sahu, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency, was arrested Tuesday for delivering an inflammatory speech last week.

The Maoists had also called for a boycott of the polls.

"However no untoward incident has been reported from any part of the district. The elections passed off peacefully," Kumar said.

The first phase of election was held on Thursday for 10 Lok Sabha seats and 70 assembly constituencies in Orissa. The next phase in the state will be held April 23.

A personal salute to all the brave residents of Kandhamal who have shown such grit and defied all religious lunatics and extremists. By casting your valuable votes today you have not only proved your faith in democracy but you have also made the country proud.

 

[Screaming Skull]

Maoists can't scare Bihar; 50 pc voting recorded​

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Patna: Bihar recorded nearly 50 percent voter turnout in the first phase of general elections on Thursday amid violence by Maoist rebels, who killed two security personnel and attacked polling stations in Gaya.

Nearly 50 percent voters of the 17.6 million electorate exercised their franchise in the first round, according to official estimates after polling ended in 13 of the state's 40 Lok Sabha constituencies.

Some incidents of violence, clashes, firing between rival groups and attempts to capture polling stations were reported from Gaya, Maharajganj, Jehanabad, Karakat, Aurangabad and Jamui districts, although the police had shoot at sight orders.

In Gaya, constable Vishambhar Choudhary and Home Guard Ramdeo Khair were killed in a Maoist attack on a polling station. Two women voters in the queue were injured and had to be taken to hospital.

A landmine blast by suspected Maoist guerrillas injured district president of Janata Dal-United (JD-U) in Jamui district.

Some journalists were attacked by booth grabbers in Jehanabad. In Maharajganj, firing between two rival gangs was reported.

After slow start in initial hours, the voter turnout picked up in the afternoon despite scorching sun and fears of violence, a state election official said.

According to an official, 48 to 50 percent voters cast their votes till the late afternoon, as long queues of voters were seen at different polling centres in all the 13 constituencies.

Polling began at 7 a.m., and by 10 a.m. most constituencies had recorded five to eight percent turnout. Only one or two of the constituencies saw nine to 10 percent of the voters exercising their franchise. The average rose to 15 to 18 percent by noon.

Reports reaching here said residents in dozens of villages boycotted the elections in at least over six constituencies protesting lack of development.

Most Maoist-affected areas of the state went to the polls Thursday. The rebels of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) have called for boycott of the election.

The constituencies that polled in the first phase are Gaya, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Nawada, Ara, Buxar, Karakat, Maharajganj, Sasaram, Jamui, Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj.

The state administration had taken adequate measures to check violence during the polls, Bihar police chief D.N. Gautam said.

He said 110,000 police personnel, including central paramilitary forces, were deployed at 19,738 polling booths. Two Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters were used for aerial surveillance.

At stake is electoral fortunes of 223 candidates, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad in Saran, central ministers Meira Kumar in Sasaram and Kanti Singh in Karakat.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Rajiv Pratap Rudy, JD-U's Prabhunath Singh and Congress's Nikhil Kumar are also in the poll fray.

In Siwan and Nawada constituencies, jailed RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin's wife Heena Sahab and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MP Surajbhan Singh's wife Veena Devi, respectively, are trying their luck.

Both Shahabuddin and Surajbhan Singh, known criminals-turned-politicians, have been convicted for murder and have been barred from the polls.

Just proves that a vote is mightier than a gun ​

 

[Screaming Skull]

Some Amazing facts about Indian Elections​

What happens when the biggest democracy goes for Elections? Apart from the colorful campaigning and political rhetoric, Elections in India bring out many interesting facts about the voting process and arrangements.

In no other country would you find the highest polling stations which are located at Thinghbu (alt. 12148 feet) and Mago (alt.12248 feet) and Luguthand (alt.13,157 feet) in Arunachal Pradesh. These are snow bound and located on the Indo-China border. And here are some more such facts:

- Lakshdweep 105 Polling booth accessible by boats only

-EVMs were carried to Minicoy Island by helicopter

Andaman Nicobar Island

-The Andaman Nicober group of Islands is one constituency and is 700 Km. long. Many places require 35-40 hrs journey by ships. Poll personal to some places has been dispatched by helicopter.

Arunachal Pradesh

-Four polling stations i.e 13-Lumta and 12-Pakke-Kessang (ST) Assembly Segment, 40-Mramboo under 41-Anini (ST) Asembly Segment and 35 - Upper Modoi Deep under 49-Bordumsa-Diyum Assembly Segment each have 3 voters respectively

-Many polling parties in Tawang, Kurung Kumey, Upper Subanisiri, upper Siang, Mechuka, Dibang Valley, Anjaw, etc have reqched their poling station by foot for 3-4 days from nearest helipad/road head.

-690 polling parties have been transported by helicopter to remote villages bordering Myanmar and China border.

Assam

-Porters have been engaged for carrying the polling materials for 5 polling stations as it involves a 40 km trek through an area infested with wild elephants in Bokaijan District.

 

[shravan]

Our Electronic Voting Machine is the best in the world.