Welcome to the Lok Sabha election 2019 coverage. This blog tracks the latest developments from the general election.
The BJP reacted with jubilation at the exit polls, which forecast a return of the NDA government, saying that they show a huge positive vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but opposition parties rejected the forecast.
Narendra Modi is returning to power with a bang, silencing sceptics and stunning opponents, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) likely to win 336 seats in General Elections 2019, according to a comprehensive News18-Ipsos exit poll.
The Election Commission of India (EC) on March 10 announced that the Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases. Counting of votes will be held on May 23.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners are making a bid to retain power. This is amid efforts by Opposition several parties, including the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, to put a united fight.
Results may be delayed in Gujarat by 3-4 hrs due to VVPAT counting
Election authorities said Wednesday that declaration of results of 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat may get delayed by around 3 to 4 hours due to counting of voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips.
VVPAT slips of five randomly selected Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be counted in every Assembly segment after EVM votes are counted, said the state's Chief Electoral Officer S Murali Krishna.
Each of the 26 Lok Sabha seats has six to seven assembly segments.
– PTI
Former Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora says EVMs cannot be tampered with
Former Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora told ANI, "EVMs can't be tampered with. EVM security protocol is so strict whenever a strong room has to be opened, representatives of all political parties have to be there, machines are taken out in their presence, mock poll is also conducted.
In fact when making EVM ready for the polling, a mock poll is again conducted at polling station where all the polling agents are asked to vote & then count, so all these arrangements ensure that EVMs can't be tampered with.
A look at total number of candidates fielded by national parties such as BJP, Congress, BSP, TMC and others.
NEWS18 alert:
As per the opposition’s demand, EVM counting may begin post noon or evening. Opposition has demanded counting of 5 VVPATs of polling booth to be matched with EVM before the counting of votes. If opposition demands are accepted, then the trends cannot be expected before evening and might take 2-3 day for the full results to be declared: EC source
BREAKING:
Election Commission refuses any change in counting process as demanded by the opposition, News18 reports.
Congress leader Udit Raj to News18:
Is the Supreme Court working under somebody's influence? They have given logistical reasons for not counting all VVPATs. If there is a delay of 2-3 days in counting, what is the harm? We know the EC is faulty. Supreme Court has got no reasoning. It gives judgement on its will.
Sharad Pawar speaks to Jagan Mohan Reddy, KCR and Patnaik: Report
Sharad Pawar has reached out to YSRCP'sYS Jagan Mohan Reddy, TRS's K ChandrashekarRao and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, according to a report by NDTV.
The former union minister and NCP chief has reportedly made phone calls to KCR and Patnaik for support in case the Opposition gets an opportunityto form the government. Pawar is believed to have been assured support by Patnaik and KCR if the UPA has the numbers to form a stable government with their support.
NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister JayduttKshirsagar is expected to join Shiv Sena today, News18 has reported.
At NDA meet, PM Modi expresses concern over 'needless controversy' over EVMs
PM Modi yesterday expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again.
Earlier yesterday, leaders of 22 Opposition parties met the EC and demanded verification of VVPAT slips of randomly-selected polling stations before the counting of the votes. The opposition representation to the EC came barely two days before the counting of votes and after exit poll projections that the BJP-led NDA is likely to return to power.
Update:
Union Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh: Today, 36 NDA allies were present at the NDA leaders dinner today. 3 NDA allies who were not present today have given their support in writing.
Update:
The Election Commission will meet tomorrow to decide on the demands presented to them by 22 Opposition parties over allegations of EVM tampering.
Update:
In the memorandum, the Opposition leaders have also demanded that if any discrepancy is found anywhere during the VVPAT verification, 100% counting of paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that assembly segment should be done.
JUST IN | 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.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has issued a press release saying, "Polled EVMs are absolutely safe in Strongrooms"
This is what the Press Release says: (Source: Press Information Bureau)
Certain complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace the polled EVMs in the strongrooms, have been doing the rounds in sections of media. Election Commission of India would like to emphatically and unambiguously clarify that all such reports and allegations are absolutely false, and factually incorrect. The visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls.
After the close of polls, all polled EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to the designated strongrooms, which is sealed with double locks, in the presence of the candidates and in the presence of Observers of the Election Commission. The entire process of storage and sealing of the strongroom is covered under videography. Continuous CCTV coverage is done till completion of counting. Each strongroom is guarded with round-the-clock security by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Further, the candidates or their designated agents remain present at the strongroom for 24X7 vigil at all times.
On the counting day, the strongrooms are opened in the presence of the candidates/agents and Observer under videography. Before the counting of EVMs commences, the counting agents are shown the address tags, seals and serial number of the EVMs to satisfy themselves to the genuineness and authenticity of the machines used in the actual polls.
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 the announcement of elections. All Chief Electoral Officers and District Election Officers have again been advised to brief the candidates on the elaborate counting arrangements.
As can be appreciated, the detailed administrative protocols, security framework and procedural guidelines mandated by the Commission completely foreclose and pre-empt the possibility of any mischief or manipulation in the polled EVMs and VVPATs stored in the designated strongrooms under the 24X7 watch of the CAPF as well as the candidates.
The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of Reserve unused EVMs. However, any case of lapse even in handling of Reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible. An EVM Control Room 011- 23052123 will also be functioning at Nirvachan Sadan for handling any EVM related complaints till the completion of counting. This will become operative from 11am on 22.5.2019.
Onus of ensuring institutional integrity with EC: Former Prez Pranab Mukherjee over allegations of EVM tampering
Former President Pranab Mukherjee has expressed his concerns over alleged tampering of EVMs. In a tweet, Mukherjee said, "There can be no room for speculations that challenge the very basis of our democracy."
The onus of ensuringinstitutional integrity, in this case, lies with the Election Commission of India. They must do so and put all speculations to rest.
JUST IN | Seven including NPP candidate Tirong Aboh killed by suspected NCSN militants in Bogapani in Tirap district.
JUST IN:
Opposition leaders' meeting underway at the Constitution Club of India in Delhi. Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, Trinamool's Derek O' Brien, Telegu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu and CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury present among others.
Update:
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".
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Dinesh Gundu Rao on Roshan Baig's comments: It is unbecoming of a politician of his stature to be speaking like this, it ranks of pure political opportunism. We will take required action when the time is right.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal have discussed the ongoing political situation over a phone call, News18 has reported.
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 lauded the role of the poll panel saying the 2019 Lok Sabha polls were conducted "perfectly".
HD Kumaraswamy cancels Delhi visit
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has cancelled his scheduled visit to Delhi today, where he was expected to take part in a meeting of opposition leaders over the issue of EVM, PTI has reported.
The chief minister was to take part in the meeting of opposition leaders over the EVM issue.
Update:
Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging appointment of two retired bureaucrats as special observer and central police observer in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls.
The apex court observed that elections have concluded and the petitioner may approach the Kolkata High Court.
Delhi CM and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal will be attending the meeting of Opposition leaders in Delhi.
NEWS FLASH:
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court (SC) given a clean chit to SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and party chief Akhilesh Yadav in the disproportionate assets case. CBI has said that an enquiry was closed in August 2013 and that no evidence was found against the Yadavs, News18 has reported.
KarnatakaChief Minister HDKumaraswamyhascancelledhis visit to Delhi,News18has reported. He will not be part of Opposition's delegation that is expected to meet the EC today overEVMs.
Track the markets LIVE: Sensex, Nifty open at record highs
Meanwhile,after a strong closing in the previous session the benchmark indices opened on positive note on May 21 with Nifty and Sensex test a new record highs.
At 09:16 hrs IST, the Sensex is up 104.58 points at 39,457.25, while Nifty is up 28.80 points at 11,857.10. About 534 shares have advanced, 266 shares declined, and 64 shares are unchanged.
NEWS FLASH:
The Election Commission has declaredpolling held atpolling station number 200 of the Kolkata Uttar constituency void. Re-poll will be held there on tomorrow from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.
JUST IN | Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, along with 21 opposition parties leaders, will meet Election Commission tomorrow at 3 pm.
Update:
Election Commission: Sec-144, which prohibits the assembly of more than 4 people in an area,has been imposed in Bhatpara, West Bengalfor undefined time-period to combat post-poll violence.
In addition, Special Police Observer for West Bengal Vivek Dubey told news agency ANI, "A strength of 200 Companies of Central forces will be retained in West Bengal to assist in counting and to handle post-poll violence. This force will be deployed all over state. Remaining 510 Companies will move out of the state."
MP CM Kamal Nath:
They (BJP) have been trying this since day 1, have proved majority at least 4 times in the last 5 months. They want to do it again, we have no problem. They'll try their best to disturb present govt to save themselves from getting exposed. Govt is ready for floor test.
JUST IN | Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath says ready for floor test to prove majority.
JUST IN | BJP parliamentary board meeting at 4.00 pm tomorrow, News18 has reported.
News18 has reported that the BJP has summoned its allies. This comes a day after exit polls predicted a win for the NDA.
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal has told the media that the party is seeking re-polling in specific booths due to violence.
“We met the Election Commission over violence in the seventh phase of elections and have put forward our request for re-polling in those areas. BJP workers and candidates are being threatened in West Bengal,” Goyal said.
“Mamata Banerjee is threatening the people and BJP workers. There are chances of political violence in West Bengal. Therefore we have requested central forces to be deployed at counting centres. To keep the counting process free and fair, we have requested that special observers to be deployed,” he added.
Akhilesh Yadav has reached BSP supremo Mayawati's residence in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Opinion: Congress needs to rethink its options if it wants to stay relevant
"The so-called Congress revival was a highly deceptive proposition and Modi’s promise of a Congress-free India appears to be as relevant today as it was at the time of the Uttar PradeshAssembly election, which the saffron party swept in 2017,” writes K Raveendran.
N Chandrababu Naidu to meet Mamata Banerjee at 4.00 pm today.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar is speaking to YSRCP'sYSJaganmohan Reddy, according to a report by News18. The talks come a day after exit polls predicted a win for the NDA.
Exit polls: The big picture
Time and again, exit polls have failed to catch the people's pulse: Chandrababu Naidu
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu has said that exit polls have failed time and again.
"Time and again exit polls have failed to catch the people's pulse. Exit polls have proved to be incorrect and far from ground reality in many instances. While undoubtedly TDP govt will be formed in AP, we are confident that non-BJP parties will form a non-BJP govt at the center (sic)," Naidu said in a late night tweet.
Political Economy | Ten messages from the exit polls
“If the exit poll results are correct, the BJP will once again form the government. The final seat tally for the ruling coalition is likely to be around the same as in the 2014 elections. But there are crucial differences,” Moneycontrol’s Manas Chakravarty writes.
Update:
BSP has clarified that party chief Mayawati will not be holding any meetings with the leaders of Opposition in Delhi today, news agency ANI has reported.
