The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Rajiv Kumar, has reviewed preparations for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, emphasizing the need for the polls to be completed before the current assembly term ends on November 26th. He met with leaders of 11 political parties, who raised concerns about the scheduling of elections in relation to major festivals. The CEC also stressed the importance of addressing urban voter apathy and ensuring adequate facilities at polling stations.
Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, a recent analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has revealed a substantial increase in the number of political parties participating. Compared to 368 parties in 2009, 751 parties are contesting in 2024, reflecting a remarkable 104% rise. The analysis also highlights the prevalence of criminal cases among candidates and the financial assets of contenders.
South Africans are heading to the polls on Wednesday, May 29, for a pivotal election that could potentially end the African National Congress (ANC)’s three-decade-long dominance, reports AFP. The ANC, founded by the nation’s independence movement leaders, is facing a formidable challenge in this election, which will see close to 28 million registered voters casting their ballots at 23,292 voting stations.
In a satirical social media post, a prominent investor has jokingly indicated that he is ‘available’ for trading of Members of Parliament (MPs) after the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024, with a demand for a 30% commission. The post has garnered significant attention and responses from social media users, ranging from humorous remarks to expressions of admiration and inquiries about his political predictions.
The Model Code of Conduct, framed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), is crucial for maintaining the purity and fairness of elections. It prohibits inflammatory speeches, communal hatred, and corrupt practices. Despite violations by senior politicians, the ECI has the authority to take decisive actions, including suspending or withdrawing party recognition. The Supreme Court can direct the ECI to initiate criminal proceedings against those who violate the oath of office.
Just days after the Alberta government announced its intention to allow political parties at the municipal level in Edmonton and Calgary, Transparent and Active Partnerships Edmonton (TAPYeg) has declared its formation and will field candidates in the next election. While some oppose Bill 20, citing concerns about provincial interference and party-line voting, TAPYeg President Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson believes political parties can enhance democracy and improve efficiency in local government. Despite surveys indicating that a majority of Albertans oppose municipal political parties, TAPYeg is optimistic and expects other parties to emerge across the political spectrum. Municipal elections in Edmonton and Calgary will take place in 2025.
On April 26, 14 constituencies in Karnataka will head to the polls. The Election Commission and political parties are working hard to increase voter turnout, particularly in Bengaluru, where previous elections saw poor participation. The southern and coastal regions of Karnataka account for the majority of the 2.88 crore eligible voters in these 14 constituencies. As campaigning for the upcoming elections comes to an end, door-to-door campaigning will take center stage today. Meanwhile, civil society organizations continue to criticize the Election Commission of India (ECI) for failing to address hate speech, including remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his election campaign in Rajasthan. Tribals in the Hunsur-Periyapatna area have expressed disappointment over the lack of attention paid to their specific demands during the election campaign.
Independent presidential candidate Cornel West believes that both major American political parties are beyond saving. He points to the crisis in the Republican Party, the neofascism of former President Trump, and the undercutting of the Democratic establishment as reasons for his lack of faith in either party. West, an intellectual and activist, has been a fierce critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and has defended his third-party candidacy as a moral imperative despite concerns that it could undermine President Biden’s reelection bid. West has also criticized Robert F. Kennedy, another independent presidential candidate, for his comments about Palestinians. West believes that there is a variety of different Palestinian voices in the resistance movement and that Hamas does not speak for every Palestinian. He also believes that it is important to address the history of killings and occupations before discussing counter-terrorist responses.
Major political parties in India, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, have been found to have violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the 48-hour silence period preceding the first phase of the country’s general elections. Despite clear rules prohibiting political campaigning during this time, the parties spent substantial money on advertising campaigns on social media platforms like Google and Meta. The BJP was particularly active, posting over 60,000 ads on Google and 6,808 on Meta during the period from April 17 to 19, 2024. The Congress, in contrast, posted 1,882 and 114 ads on the same platforms, respectively. Notably, the BJP targeted its digital campaigns with precision, focusing on specific localities and constituencies that voted in the first phase of elections. In contrast, the Congress avoided constituency-level targeting, excluding several poll-bound constituencies from its ad campaigns. The findings raise concerns about the effectiveness of the MCC in ensuring free and fair elections in India.
In the lead-up to the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, political parties are ramping up their campaigns to secure votes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a series of rallies in Chhattisgarh, addressing public gatherings in Surguja, Mahasamund, and Janjgir-Champa.
