Karthik Naralasetty, an Indian-American entrepreneur with a background in social impact initiatives, is running for Mayor of The Hills, Texas. He is leveraging his experience in technology and community service to champion transparency, safety, and economic well-being in the city.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has sparked controversy by advocating for a higher birth rate and proposing a law that would restrict candidacy in local body elections to individuals with at least two children. This policy shift, announced during a recent speech, aims to address concerns about the state’s growth rate but has drawn criticism from those concerned about population control and its potential impact on social and economic development.
While the Election Commission of India enjoys widespread credibility for conducting national elections, State Election Commissions (SECs) responsible for local elections are facing systemic disempowerment, leading to delays and undermining local governance. This article advocates for crucial reforms to strengthen SECs and ensure timely, fair elections for panchayats and urban local bodies.
In a heated debate, voters confronted representatives from the five major political parties in the upcoming local elections. Krishnan Guru-Murthy moderated the discussion, which covered a wide range of issues, from housing and education to public services and the cost of living. Voters challenged the candidates on their policies, calling for concrete solutions to the challenges facing their communities.
Rishi Sunak has received a boost ahead of next week’s local elections, with a new poll suggesting the Conservative Party is gaining ground on Labour. The survey, conducted by Savanta for the Telegraph, indicates that the Tories have reduced the deficit to 16 points.
Pollster Chris Hopkins said the Prime Minister still needs to pass his Rwanda bill, which he believes could be a “game-changer”. The poll, which was based on online interviews with 2,332 UK adults aged 18 and over between April 19-21, shows Labour unchanged on 43 percent, while the Conservatives have gained two points to 27 percent.
Reform UK is on 10 percent (-1), the Liberal Democrats are on nine percent (-1), the Greens are on four percent (unchanged), the SNP is on two percent (down one), and others are on four (unchanged) compared to Savanta’s previous poll, which was based on interviews conducted between April 12-14.
Voters in England and Wales have until 5pm on Wednesday to apply for a special certificate if they do not have the correct form of photo ID to participate in next week’s elections. Valid forms of photo ID include passports, driving licences, blue badges, and older person’s bus passes. The Electoral Commission, which oversees elections in the UK, encourages those who do not have the right forms of ID to apply for a voter authority certificate as soon as possible to ensure they can participate in the elections.
