The counting of votes for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections, along with several bypolls, has begun, and early leads suggest a major shift in the political landscape.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on track for a landslide victory in Maharashtra, while the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appears to have surged ahead in Jharkhand.

After nearly three hours of vote counting, the NDA in Maharashtra is securing a decisive mandate, outpacing the opposition.

Exit polls had predicted a tight race, but the trends indicate a clear win for the NDA coalition, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The Mahayuti alliance, which the BJP leads, contested 148 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 80 and NCP with 52 seats. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is trailing, with Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bal Thackeray), and NCP (Sharad Pawar) fielding 102, 96, and 86 seats respectively.

The election is particularly significant as it marks the first contest since the splits in both the NCP and Shiv Sena, following political upheavals in 2022. The results will have a lasting impact on the future of these parties, especially with leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde competing for the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray. The NCP's internal division also adds weight to this election, with Ajit Pawar now part of the ruling coalition.

In Jharkhand, early trends suggest a tough battle between the ruling JMM-led alliance and the NDA. The JMM-led government, headed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, is banking on its achievements, while the NDA, led by the BJP, is targeting the state's governance issues, including tribal rights and infiltration concerns.

The election results will have far-reaching consequences for local and national politics. In addition, votes are being counted for several bypolls across the country, including the Wayanad by-election in Kerala, where Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is contesting, and several seats in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

Election tribunals — comprising retired judges — have commenced hearings on cases related to the General Election 2024 in Punjab, including Lahore and other cities.

The Election Tribunal is set to hear significant cases today, including those involving Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz, and other constituencies. Retired Judge Rana Zahid Mehmood is presiding over the tribunal sessions.

The legal team representing Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz appeared before the tribunal to present their arguments regarding the election disputes.

Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) claimed that the incumbent ruling alliance snatched their mandate, a claim yet to be proved in the tribunals and demanded re-election.

President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of Tulsi Gabbard as U.S. intelligence chief has sent shockwaves through the national security establishment, adding to concerns that the sprawling intelligence community will become increasingly politicized.

Trump’s nomination of Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who lacks deep intelligence experience and is seen as soft on Russia and Syria, is among several high-level picks that suggest he may be prioritizing personal allegiance over competence as he assembles his second-term team.

Among the risks, say current and former intelligence officials and independent experts, are that top advisers could feed the incoming Republican president a distorted view of global threats based on what they believe will please him and that foreign allies may be reluctant to share vital information.

Randal Phillips, a former CIA operations directorate official who worked as the agency's top representative in China, said that with Trump loyalists in top government posts, “this could become the avenue of choice for some really questionable actions” by the leadership of the intelligence community.

A Western security source said there could be an initial slowdown in intelligence sharing when Trump takes office in January that could potentially impact the “Five Eyes,” an intelligence alliance comprising the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The worry from U.S. allies is that Trump’s appointments all lean in the “wrong direction”, the source said.

Trump's presidential transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Inside and outside the U.S. intelligence network, much of the anxiety focuses on Trump’s choice of Gabbard, 43, as director of national intelligence, especially given her views seen as sympathetic to Russia in its war against Ukraine.

While Trump has made some conventional personnel decisions such as that of Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state, Wednesday’s announcement of Gabbard, an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves, surprised even some Republican insiders. She is likely to face tough questioning in her Senate confirmation hearings.

Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, has stirred controversy over her criticism of President Joe Biden’s support for Ukraine, which has prompted some critics to accuse her of parroting Kremlin propaganda.

She also spoke out against U.S. military intervention in the civil war in Syria under former President Barack Obama and met in 2017 with Moscow-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with whom Washington severed all diplomatic ties in 2012.

The selection of Gabbard has raised alarm in the ranks of intelligence officers unsure of how tightly she holds some of her geopolitical views, whether she is misinformed or simply echoing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” followers, one intelligence official said on condition of anonymity.

“Of course there's going to be resistance to change from the ‘swamp’ in Washington,” Gabbard said in a Fox News interview on Wednesday night. She said voters had given Trump “an incredible mandate” to move away from Biden’s agenda but offered no policy specifics.

ALLIES ATTENTIVE

A senior European intelligence official said agencies in European Union countries “will be pragmatic and ready to adapt to the changes.” “No panic in the air for now,” the official added.

A European defense official described Gabbard as “firmly" in the Russia camp.

"But we have to deal with what we have. We will be attentive,” the official said.

Some analysts said concerns about Gabbard could be tempered by Trump’s choice to head the CIA: John Ratcliffe, a former congressman who served as director of national intelligence at the end of Trump’s first term.

Though close to Trump and expected to offer little pushback against his policies, Ratcliffe is not seen as an incendiary figure and could act as a counterbalance to Gabbard in his post atop the No. 1 spy agency among the 18 that she would oversee.

But some analysts said that by attempting to install Gabbard with other controversial loyalists, including congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Fox commentator and military veteran Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, Trump is showing he wants no guardrails to his efforts to remake federal institutions.

Democratic critics were quick to pounce not only on Gabbard’s views but what they see as her lack of qualifications and the potential the new administration could deploy intelligence for political ends.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks to fix what was seen as a lack of coordination between those organizations.

“She isn’t being put in this job to do the job or to be good at it. She’s being put there to serve Donald Trump’s interests,” U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, told CNN on Thursday.

SUPPORT FOR ISOLATIONIST POLICIES

After leaving the Democratic Party, Gabbard became increasingly critical of Biden and grew popular among conservatives, often appearing on far-right TV and radio shows, where she became known for supporting isolationist policies and showing disdain for "wokeness."

Shortly after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Gabbard wrote in a social media post: “This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russia's legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine's becoming a member of NATO."

Rubio, a former Trump rival turned supporter, defended Gabbard’s nomination, describing her as a “revolutionary pick that has a chance to really make a positive change.”

But some other Republicans were more non-committal.

Asked about Gabbard's qualifications, Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Intelligence Committee, said: "We're going to do our job, vet the nominees and make a decision. That's a constitutional responsibility of the Senate.”

To become director of national intelligence, Gabbard must first be confirmed by a majority of the 100-member U.S. Senate, where she could face headwinds.

Trump's fellow Republicans will have at least a 52-48 seat majority in the chamber starting in January, and have in the past been eager to back the party leader, increasing the likelihood that she will secure the post.

“Our friends are watching as closely as our foes, and they are asking what this all means for the pre-eminent player in global intelligence collection and analysis,” said one former U.S. intelligence officer who worked in some of the world’s hotspots.

China's President Xi Jinping congratulated Donald Trump on his U.S. presidential win and urged both nations to find the "right way to get along", as looming U.S. tariffs threatened to return them to the days of a trade war years ago.

Stable, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relations serve the interests of both, Xi said on Thursday, adding that the international community would expect the two powers to "respect each other (and) co-exist peacefully".

Xi also called for strengthened dialogue to properly manage differences.

Ties hit a new low after clashes over issues ranging from trade and security to the future of Taiwan and the South China Sea, only starting to improve in November 2023 after Xi and President Joe Biden met for four hours in California.

Trump's win could revive issues from his first presidency, when he started the bruising trade war with the world's second-largest economy in 2018, though striking a truce just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in January 2020.

The Republican, who has vowed to adopt stiff tariffs, recaptured the White House with a sweeping victory over Democrat Kamala Harris in Tuesday's election, and will take office in January.

Echoing Xi's call for stability, the commerce ministry said China was willing to jointly develop healthy economic and trade ties the United States.

China is willing to expand co-operation to benefit both countries, a ministry spokesperson said, when asked at a regular press conference about the prospect of more U.S. tariffs, setting aside for now any suggestion of potential retaliation.

Xi's congratulatory message to Trump was more subdued than when the latter first won election in November 2016.

At the time, Xi called for "greater progress in China-U.S. relations from a new starting point", saying both economies should shoulder responsibilities in areas such as world peace and stability, global development and prosperity.

Still, in an editorial on Wednesday, the state-run China Daily portrayed Trump's second presidency as a potential "new beginning in China-U.S. relations, if the chance that has been offered is not wasted".

U.S. policies and misconceptions towards China had posed challenges for ties, it said.

"A pragmatic approach to bilateral relations is essential in navigating the complexities of global challenges," it added.

The Biden administration did not dismantle Trump's trade policies and continued to target China's state-driven industrial practices.

In September, it locked in steep tariff hikes on Chinese imports, such as duties of 100% on electric vehicles, 50% on solar cells and 25% on steel, aluminium, EV batteries and key minerals, in a bid to protect strategic American industries.

But Trump's threat of tariffs of 60% on U.S. imports of Chinese goods poses major growth risks for China.

They would be much higher than the 7.5% to 25% levied in his first term, and come at a much more vulnerable time for the Chinese economy, as it battles a steep property downturn, the burden of local government debt and weak domestic demand.

Pakistan's Foreign Office has affirmed the nation’s commitment to strengthening ties with the United States following Donald Trump’s recent election victory.

The President and Prime Minister extended their congratulations, with the Foreign Office spokesperson highlighting the decades-old relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. and expressing optimism for further improvement, stating that the change in U.S. leadership would not impact bilateral relations.

Upcoming OIC conference

In other developments, Pakistan’s diplomatic focus remains on Middle Eastern affairs. During the upcoming OIC conference, the Foreign Office confirmed that the Prime Minister will engage in discussions regarding the Gaza situation, with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar accompanying him to meet OIC leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

Read more: 

Shehbaz eyes close work with Trump administration to strengthen Pak-US ties

Global reaction to US Elections: China calls polls as US internal matter

Donald Trump elected 47th president of America in stunning comeback

Aid to Lebanon and Gaza

Amid escalating regional tensions, Pakistan has sent humanitarian aid to Palestine and Lebanon, showing solidarity with affected communities. Additionally, the Foreign Office expressed concern over the health of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, urging India to provide him immediate medical care and calling for his release.

COP29

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s climate concerns are set to be highlighted at COP29, where the Foreign Office underscored the urgency of addressing climate impacts affecting millions of Pakistanis.

Further strengthening regional ties, Iran's Foreign Minister visited Pakistan, meeting with Pakistani leadership to discuss mutual interests and cooperation. The Riyadh Summit in Saudi Arabia was also attended by the Prime Minister, underscoring Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement in the region.

In the ongoing US presidential elections, Pakistani-American candidate Salman Bhojani celebrated a victory as he was re-elected as a member of the Texas State Assembly.

Bhojani, a Democrat, secured his seat with a commanding lead over his opponent, reinforcing his strong support base in Texas. Known for his commitment to representing diverse communities, Bhojani’s win highlights the growing presence of South Asian Americans in US politics.

Another Pakistani-American candidate has been successful in the US presidential election. Suleman Lalani has been re-elected as a member of the Texas Assembly by dealing a major defeat to his opposing candidate with a big margin. 

While Bhojani and Lalani’s victories marks a positive milestone for Pakistani-American representation, Republican Aaron Bashir, the only Pakistani-American candidate running for Congress, faced disappointment. Bashir, who ran in Pennsylvania, was unsuccessful in her bid for a congressional seat, falling short in a competitive race. 

Moreover, Pakistani-American candidate for the House of Representatives, Ayesha Farooqui, faced a defeat from Michigan. 

Bhojani's re-election is a significant achievement, reflecting the increasing engagement of Pakistani Americans in US public service. First elected to the Texas State Assembly in 2022, Bhojani has worked on issues important to his community, including healthcare, education, and business development, and has been a vocal advocate for immigrant rights.

Popular podcaster Joe Rogan, who recently interviewed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for nearly three hours, said on Monday he has endorsed the former president in the race to the White House.

Trump faces Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 U.S. election in what polls show to be a tight race. Harris has got multiple celebrity endorsements.

"For the record, yes, that's an endorsement of Trump," Rogan said on X while posting a clip of his interview with billionaire Elon Musk, who has also endorsed Trump. Rogan said in his post that Musk made the "most compelling case for Trump."

Trump's recent interview with Rogan lasted about 3 hours and was released on YouTube and Spotify in late October. The two discussed a range of topics and the interview got over 45 million views on YouTube.

The former president criticized Rogan in August on Truth Social, his social media platform, after the podcaster praised then-independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. Kennedy has since pulled out of the race and endorsed Trump. Trump later called Rogan a "good guy."

Trump and Harris have courted voters with appearances on podcasts, in addition to more traditional rallies and media interviews.

Spotify said in March "The Joe Rogan Experience" had 14.5 million followers, almost triple the platform's second most popular program. Rogan also has more than 19 million followers on Instagram and 18 million followers on YouTube.

A poll by YouGov last year found that 81% of his listeners are male and 56% are under 35 years old, a demographic that tends to support Trump over Harris.

Harris' team had been in touch with Rogan's program about a possible appearance but her campaign said in late October she will not appear on his podcast.

Rogan joins a list of celebrities like Musk and wrestler Hulk Hogan to have endorsed Trump.

Harris has a much bigger list of celebrity endorsements - ranging from basketball superstar Lebron James and actress Meryl Streep to comedian Chris Rock and former talk show host Oprah Winfrey. Superstar singers Beyonce and Taylor Swift have also endorsed her.

Here is a timeline of events related to the election between now and Inauguration Day in January.

Nov. 5: Election Day

- Later in November: It could take days for the election result to be known, especially if it is close and mail-in ballots are a factor.

Nov. 26: Trump, the first sitting or former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime, is due to be sentenced in a Manhattan hush money case where he was found guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star. Trump has denied wrongdoing.

Sentencing was originally due to take place on Sept. 18.

Dec. 17: Electors, who together form the Electoral College, meet in their respective states and the District of Columbia to select the president and vice president.

Dec. 25: The electoral votes must be received by this date by the president of the Senate - a role held by the vice president, currently Harris - and the archivist.

2025

Jan. 6: The vice president presides over the Electoral College vote count at a joint session of Congress, announces the results and declares who has been elected.

Ahead of the count on Jan. 6, 2021, then-President Trump lambasted his vice president, Mike Pence, for refusing to try to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's victory over Trump.

On that day, the U.S. Capitol was attacked by Trump supporters trying to stop the count. Biden's win was certified early the next day.

Congress has since passed the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022, which requires approval of one-fifth of the House and Senate to consider a challenge to a state's results – a much higher bar than existed before, when at least one member each in the Senate and House of Representatives could together trigger a challenge.

Jan. 20: The inauguration of the election winner and their vice president takes place. At this ceremony, the victor and the vice president are officially sworn into office.

New York - As the US presidential election approaches on November 5, the stakes are high not only for American voters but also for foreign powers, particularly Russia. The battle between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has rekindled concerns about Moscow's involvement in U.S. electoral processes, reminiscent of the contentious elections of 2016 and 2020. With accusations of Russian interference gaining traction once again, the implications of the election are being closely monitored from the Kremlin.

Recent reports indicate that social media platforms are rife with disinformation, including a viral video falsely claiming to show Haitians voting for Harris. Georgia's Secretary of State has attributed this fake content to Russian troll farms, highlighting the ongoing effort by Moscow to sway public opinion and influence electoral outcomes. U.S. officials have once again pointed fingers at Russia, suggesting that the Kremlin has an interest in seeing Trump return to the White House.

However, the dynamics are more complicated than simply favoring one candidate over the other. While a Trump victory might seem advantageous for Russia, analysts caution that the Kremlin's calculations are nuanced, shaped by the former president's first term in office. Initially, there were hopes in Russia that Trump's presidency would usher in a more favorable U.S. foreign policy. Yet, the reality proved otherwise, with Trump imposing new sanctions on Russia and approving lethal military aid to Ukraine, something his predecessor, Barack Obama, had refrained from doing.

Under President Joe Biden, military support to Ukraine has escalated significantly. Trump's recent musings about potentially reducing or even cutting off aid to Ukraine resonate with some segments of the Russian population. Many in Russia perceive a Trump win as a potential path to peace in Ukraine, believing that U.S. financial support for Kyiv might be curtailed.

The Kremlin’s official stance towards the U.S. election has remained measured. Recently, President Vladimir Putin made a lighthearted remark suggesting his support for Harris due to her "infectious" laugh, but officials later clarified that this was merely a jest. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added that the current state of Russo-American relations is such that it may not matter who occupies the Oval Office. He suggested that key foreign policy decisions are made by the "deep state," implying continuity regardless of the elected president.

The contrasting foreign policy approaches of the two candidates could have far-reaching implications for Russia. Analysts indicate that a Harris presidency would likely maintain the Biden administration's robust support for Ukraine, continuing military assistance and potentially bolstering NATO and EU alliances. In contrast, Trump’s approach appears more unpredictable; he has publicly blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the war's onset, suggesting that he could swiftly negotiate peace if re-elected. This unpredictability is seen as a double-edged sword by Moscow, which may prefer the stability offered by a more predictable Harris administration.

Given these complexities, the Kremlin is likely weighing the potential outcomes of the election carefully. While a Trump victory might create opportunities for Russian interests in Ukraine, the challenges posed by his first term remain fresh in Moscow's memory. Conversely, a Harris win would mean a continuation of the current U.S. stance towards Russia, which could lead to increased military aid for Ukraine and further economic sanctions.

As the election nears, the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, with Russia's involvement in the electoral narrative serving as a stark reminder of the intricate interplay between domestic politics in the U.S. and international relations. The outcome on November 5 could redefine not only U.S. foreign policy but also the balance of power in Europe and beyond.

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump's end-of-campaign arguments to voters choosing between him and Democrat Kamala Harris have focused on an old standby in U.S. politics: Asking voters whether they are better off now than they were four years ago.

He may want to check his dates. In 2020, the last year of Trump's presidency, U.S. life expectancy fell by 1.8 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a National Center for Health Statistics review of the year, and more than 350,000 people died from the virus, which made it the third-leading cause of death.

The U.S. economy experienced one of its worst-ever quarters, when gross domestic product plunged at a 28% annual rate from April through June. Despite a startling rebound in the three months that followed - largely the result of federal deficit spending on benefits approved by both parties to keep households afloat through the health crisis - the U.S. economy was smaller in the final full quarter of Trump's term - the fourth quarter of 2020 - than it was at the end of 2019.

To be fairer to himself, Trump might want to dial the calendar back a year to 2019, but even then the record is mixed. If one thing stands out about now versus then it is how similar many aspects of the economy look, a testament, many economists feel, to the success of the largely bipartisan effort to keep a health catastrophe from becoming an economic one.

THE TALE OF THE TAPE: GDP

Data released on Wednesday showed the economy continues to grow above trend and close to the 3% rate Trump in his first term set as a barometer of success.

After adjusting for inflation the economy overall is 11.5% larger now than it was at the end of 2019, when output under Trump reached its peak. Growth rates were comparable: From the third quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of this year, inflation-adjusted output rose 2.66%; in the comparable pre-COVID quarters, comparing the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2018, the economy expanded 2.8%.

INFLATION

For many Americans, the outbreak of inflation from 2021 through last year was something they had never experienced. At its peak prices were rising faster than at any point since the 1980s, an era when economic malaise undercut the reelection campaign of Democratic President Jimmy Carter.

High prices have been a centerpiece of Trump's campaign, and one which Harris has had trouble rebutting even as inflation itself has declined. The fact that "disinflation" has occurred without the usual blow to economic output and employment is seen by policymakers as a historic victory, but seems to have registered only weakly, if at all, with households.

INCOMES

Another point that has registered weakly among U.S. consumers is that incomes on the whole have kept pace with all that inflation. Economic surveys have consistently found that this doesn't really matter when it comes to attitudes about the economy: High prices are high prices, and if food costs 10% more consumers don't really care if their wages went up enough to cover it and then some.

Nor do averages capture every household's experience.

Still, while the bumps along the way were dramatic as federal spending boosted incomes for a while then rising prices cut into purchasing power, inflation-adjusted income per person was about 10% higher as of the third quarter of this year than it was in the third quarter of 2019.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Perhaps no economic statistic shows the U.S. success in skirting the worst economic impacts from the pandemic more than the unemployment rate.

As Federal Reserve officials have noted, the labor market was strong under Trump before the pandemic. It snapped back afterwards under Biden as well.

Ignoring the sharp up and downs of the pandemic years, the unemployment rate was slightly lower on average from 2022 through this year than it was from 2017 through 2019.

WEALTH

Not every American invests in the stock market and not everyone owns a home.

But for those that do the post-COVID years under Biden have added steadily to household net worth.alth

THE MISERY INDEX

Combining the unemployment rate and the rate of inflation into a thumbnail description of economic trouble has been used by politicians as a way to pummel their opponents, particularly during times of high inflation. With the decline in inflation, it is back to roughly where it was during much of Trump's pre-COVID time in office.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections concluded with Rauf Atta from the Asma Jahangir Group (AJG) winning the presidential seat by a narrow margin.

Rauf Atta claimed victory with 350 votes, edging out his rival, Hamid Khan Group’s (HKG) candidate Munir Kakar, who received 331 votes.

Out of 769 registered voters, 682 Supreme Court lawyers cast their ballots at the principal seat, reflecting a high turnout for the association's annual elections. 

He also secured 558 votes in Lahore, outpacing his rival from the Hamid Khan Group (HKG), who garnered 484 votes.

Early reports from Multan indicate that Rauf Atta received 125 votes, surpassing HKG candidate Munir Kakar’s 85 votes by a margin of 40.

In Islamabad, 682 of the 769 registered lawyers cast their ballots, where Atta also leads with 190 votes, while Kakar follows with 160 votes.

Rauf Atta's influence extended into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he swept the polls, winning by narrow margins across multiple cities.

In Peshawar, he achieved victory with 127 votes compared to Kakar’s 123. In Bannu, Atta secured 21 votes against Kakar’s 10, and in Dera Ismail Khan, he led with 25 votes over Kakar’s 11.

In other key victories, Atta won by 7 votes in Abbottabad, 11 in Bannu, 14 in Dera Ismail Khan, 8 in Swat, and 4 in Peshawar. In Hyderabad, he claimed 50 votes, outstripping Kakar, who received 34.

The annual elections for the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have begun, with polling taking place across high court and circuit benches nationwide.

Key candidates from the Asma Jahangir and Hamid Khan groups are contesting for prominent positions, including president, secretary, and vice president.

Apart from the central cabinet, there will be competition for the vice president from all four provinces. Executive members will also be elected from all the provinces. 

A total of 4,021 lawyers will cast their votes, with 516 voters from Karachi participating at the New Bar Room of the Sindh High Court. Polling will continue from 9am to 5pm in Karachi, while in Lahore, voting is scheduled from 8:30am to 5pm, where the highest number of voters, 1,014, are registered.

A total of 17 candidates are vying for five slots of the Supreme Court Bar Association. 

In the race for president, Mian Rauf of the Asma Jahangir Group is competing against Munir Ahmed Kakar from the Hamid Khan Group. For the post of general secretary, Malik Zahid Aslam Awan (Asma Jahangir Group) is up against Salman Manzoor (Hamid Khan Group).

Meanwhile, Chaudhry Tanveer and Mir Aurangzeb are vying for the role of finance secretary on behalf of the Asma Jahangir and Hamid Khan groups, respectively.

The SCBA election will also see lawyers selecting vice presidents and executive members for all provinces. In Sindh, candidates include Malik Khushal Khan Awan, Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi, and Yousuf Maulvi for the post of the provincial vice president. Executive member hopefuls for Sindh include Aamir Jameel Virk, Ahmad Ali Dewan, Naveedul Haq, and Rizwana Jameel. 

Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan and Muhammad Zubair Hussain are vying for the seat of additional secretary. 

In Lahore, Rana Bakhtiar and Rana Ghulam Sarwar face each other for the seat of Punjab vice president. 

In Islamabad, the SCBA’s principal seat, 769 lawyers are eligible to vote. As the polls unfold, the competition between the Asma Jahangir and Hamid Khan groups remains a focal point, with high stakes for both factions in securing leadership positions within Pakistan’s Supreme Court Bar Association. 

With the 2024 U.S. general elections just around the corner, everyone's talking about the presidential battle between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Quietly within all this national noise is the high-stakes battle brewing within the U.S. House of Representatives, where control hangs precariously in the balance.

With their present narrow majority of 220 to 212, the Republicans are gearing up for what looks like a very tight and close fight in several key congressional districts that may tip the balance into Democratic hands.

Unlike the Senate, where only a third of the seats are contested, all 435 House seats are on the line this cycle and could result in a massive shift. Experts pinpoint 34 House seats as potentially vulnerable to flipping, with both parties pouring significant resources into the tightest contests. Here's a closer look at five critical races that could decide the future of the U.S. House of Representatives.

New York might be a stronghold for Democrats at the state level, but its congressional districts tell a different tale. Long Island, to take one example, is as politically diverse an area as they come, and both sides have taken home victories in the last few elections, guaranteeing another close finish here in the 4th District. The district that stretches into the rich, affluent suburbs near Manhattan has toggled between blue and red in recent years and looks to be no different in 2024.

Incumbent Republican Anthony D'Esposito, a former police detective who has been a sharp critic on the Hempstead town board, is seeking to retain his seat against Democrat Laura Gillen, a pro-enforcement candidate eager to show she's willing to fight hard for stronger border security measures. The two have carried on a bitter feud with each other since Gillen was Hempstead's supervisor. This contentious history has turned the race into a heated rematch, with D'Esposito emphasizing his record and Gillen targeting a broader appeal on crime and security.

In North Carolina's 1st District, incumbent Democrat Don Davis squares off against retired Army Colonel Laurie Buckhout in a contest that may determine whether the state's new congressional map has had too great an effect. The district is part of the U.S. South's "Black Belt," where the presence of large numbers of Black voters has traditionally given it a Democratic tilt. Yet boundary changes have left the area open to voter-dilution complaints, since several neighborhoods of color were swapped out for white-majority precincts.

The last Republican victory here dates back to 1883, and all representatives since the 1990s were Black. But in this November, it may finally be different. Davis, who comes from the Air Force veteran background and is known for a strong bipartisan stance, among many other votes against his party on various issues, goes into a tight race. With enough support built for his campaign among the more divided demographic of the district at present, the Republicans would make history by claiming that rare win.South of San Jose and abutting some of California's most affluent and trendy enclaves is one place Republicans have managed to keep an especially strong foothold-in many cases, even as-and paradoxically, because-they voted for former Vice President Joe Biden when he took the presidential vote here in 2020.

Seeing opportunity in California, President Donald Trump campaigned in Coachella Valley this October to raise support in Republican-friendly regions. Both parties have heaved their weight into the election, which is highly decisive regarding the balance of the House. Democrats are hopeful about the demographic shift where they will get a better result due to new young infusions of progressive voters to swing the momentum. Conversely, Republicans want to be in their stronghold position under changing times.
Another hotly contested race is the Washington coastal 3rd District, where incumbent Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces Republican Joe Kent. Gluesenkamp Perez won in 2022 by only 50.1% of the vote and is looking to increase her margin this time. The Blue Dog Democrat has often voted against party lines, such as against student loan forgiveness and for temporary government funding, branding her as a centrist.

Kent, a former Green Beret and ex-Trump advisor, is a strong conservative voice on issues ranging from immigration to fiscal policy, leaving him well-positioned in this fight.

However, recent statements on working with Democrats on border security seem to signal a pivot toward the center, as he edges out in the competition for this particularly diverse district.

The at-large district is the whole state, and with Alaska's only at-large district, there are certainly electoral idiosyncrasies. There is ranked-choice voting here, one of only two in the country, and it played a pretty big role in Democrat Mary Peltola's historic 2022 win as the first Alaska Native and the first Democrat in five decades to represent the district.

He has a challenge this year, this time from Nick Begich III, a Republican tech entrepreneur and scion of an Alaskan political family. Ranked-choice voting, too, means the race might actually head to a runoff if nobody is able to secure a majority in the first round; that adds an extra layer of unpredictability. Completing the field is Eric Hafner, currently serving a prison sentence; he managed to secure his spot under the state's unconventional rules. Whether his presence makes a difference or not at the end, Begich's last name recognition is likely to be a re-election battle opponent of Peltola.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris told a town hall in Pennsylvania on Wednesday her administration would be different from that of President Joe Biden's, as Republican Donald Trump campaigned in Georgia, another battleground state.

Harris's attempt to distance herself from Biden comes as several polls show the president is a drag on her candidacy and that voters are eager for a new direction with less than two weeks to go until the Nov. 5 election.

Harris has mostly brushed off questions on the campaign trail over how – and to what extent – she would break from Biden on policy.

"My administration will not be a continuation of the Biden administration," Harris said during a televised CNN town hall. "I bring to this role my own ideas and my own experience. I represent a new generation of leadership on a number of issues and believe that we have to actually take new approaches."

Harris's town hall in Chester Township was an attempt to persuade the dwindling number of undecided voters to support her in a closely divided race where even a small percentage of votes could be critical.

Fielding several questions from attendees, Harris vowed to tackle high grocery prices, said it was time to end the war in the Middle East and called Trump a fascist and "danger to the well-being and safety of America."

The vice president also tackled questions on her changing position on policies such as fracking, saying she does not believe in having "pride associated with a position" when the important thing is to build consensus on issues.

Harris has repeatedly said she wouldn't ban fracking if elected president, a reversal of her position during her first presidential run in 2019.

Asked if she was in favor of expanding the Supreme Court to 12 justices from the current nine, Harris said: "I do believe that there should be some kind of reform of the court, and we can study what that actually looks like."

RECORD EARLY VOTES

Nearly 25 million voters have already cast ballots, either through in-person early voting or mail-in ballots, according to tracking data from the Election Lab at the University of Florida.

Several states, including the battlegrounds of North Carolina and Georgia, set records on their respective first day of early voting last week.

"The votes in Georgia are at record levels," Trump told a religious-themed "ballots and believers" event in Zebulon, Georgia. "The votes in every state, frankly, are at record levels. We're doing really well and hopefully we can fix our country."

Trump in recent days has sought to rally turnout from Christian evangelicals, hoping they will set aside any concerns about his frequent off-color commentary like his tale about Arnold Palmer's anatomy.

Trump, who made campaign rallies a staple of his political career starting back in 2015, said in Zebulon that "in many ways it's sad" that his time as a political candidate is coming to a close. If he wins on Nov. 5, he would serve his second and final term.

"We've been doing this for nine years, and it's down to 12 days," he said.

After Zebulon, Trump was speaking in Duluth, Georgia, for a rally with former Fox News star Tucker Carlson and former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Also present was country music star Jason Aldean, who encouraged attendees to vote early, a message that Trump is slowly embracing after denouncing the practice for years.

Pennsylvania and Georgia are among the seven battleground states that will decide who wins the presidency, and both candidates are likely to spend much of the rest of their campaigns visiting them.

Earlier in the day, Harris seized on comments by Trump's former White House chief of staff John Kelly, who told the New York Times that the former president met the "general definition of fascist" and admired dictators.

Harris called Trump's remarks as quoted by Kelly "deeply troubling and incredibly dangerous." Trump's campaign has denied Kelly's account, calling them "debunked stories."

The vice president tried and failed to push Trump to agree to a second presidential debate on CNN after she was considered to have won the first and only presidential debate between the two candidates, which took place in September on ABC News.

Harris held a marginal 46% to 43% lead nationally over the former president in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Polls opened for early voting on Thursday in North Carolina - a critical battleground in the Nov 5 US presidential election - just weeks after Hurricane Helene left some residents still without power, running water or phone service.

North Carolina could be crucial in determining a winner in the race between US Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and Republican former President Donald Trump because its voting preferences could swing either way. Polls show a very tight race overall with a handful of swing states likely to determine the winner.

Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 200 people across six states and caused billions of dollars in damage, has sparked questions on how it might impact voter turnout.

Harvey Neal, a 71-year-old retiree, voted at the lone early voting site in Hendersonville, North Carolina, as a steady stream of voters filed in and out of the center on Thursday morning.

Neal cast his vote for Harris. "She's young, she's a Democrat," he said. "And, you know, what's the alternative?"

Neal considers himself relatively fortunate following the hurricane as nothing hit his house, though he had been without power for four or five days.

First-time voter Trevor Miller, a 21-year-old student, said he voted for Trump. "I just want to be able to live the best way possible, and I felt like with my vote that that could happen."

Trump and Harris are in a dead heat in North Carolina, with Trump showing 48% support in state polls, versus 47.5% for Harris, according to poll aggregator FiveThirtyEight.

Some of the state's hardest hit counties lean both Republican and Democratic. For instance, Buncombe County - home to the city of Asheville - supported President Joe Biden in the 2020 election versus Trump, while neighbouring Yancey County favoured Trump.

North Carolina's state elections board has spent weeks assessing storm damage to polling locations. On Thursday, 76 early voting sites were set to open to voters in the 25 western North Carolina counties listed in the federal disaster declaration. That compares to 80 planned before the storm.

Early voting has been the most popular way for North Carolinians to cast a ballot in both the 2020 and 2016 elections, according to the state. Early voting started on Tuesday in Georgia, another closely contested state that was hit by storm damage.

Still, near polling sites in western North Carolina were reminders of the destruction the region has faced, with trees uprooted and debris piled on the sides of roads. In Swannanoa, buildings still lay reduced to rubble and a house-sized chunk of the ground was caved in along a main street.

Gene Dickinson, a 75-year-old resident of Asheville, said he had been planning to vote for Trump this year but has been too busy helping run supplies to those in need since the hurricane to think about voting.

"With everything that's going on, I haven't even thought about that," he said outside of a FEMA recovery centre. "I've heard about it, but we don't have any TV or anything."

In Burnsville, Tina Veitch, a 49-year-old graphic designer, said the road to her family's house was destroyed by the storm. But one of the reasons she has stayed in the area, instead of seeking refuge with family in Florida, is so she can vote.

She said on Wednesday that the process to vote by absentee ballot was too arduous, adding: "The amount of hoops you have to jump through to just do it was not worth it ... So we were like, 'We're just going to stay 'til tomorrow at least and vote'."

Democrat Kamala Harris will campaign alongside former president Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama in separate events next week ahead of the November elections

According to details, this marks the first time the Obamas will hit the campaign trail this election cycle, aiming to galvanize the Democratic base in critical battleground states.

Polls indicate a tightly contested race between Harris and her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, underscoring the importance of voter turnout among loyal Democrats in states where margins are razor-thin.

Michelle Obama will kick off the campaign appearances on Saturday, October 26, in Michigan, leveraging her immense popularity and powerful rhetoric, notably her recent speech at the Democratic National Convention that criticized Trump for fearmongering.

Barack Obama is set to join Harris in Georgia the following Thursday, continuing his extensive tour of battleground states, including upcoming events in Tucson, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Madison.

His previous campaign appearance drew mixed reactions, with some critics expressing concern over his remarks directed at Black male voters regarding the acceptance of a female president, suggesting it could alienate essential Democratic supporters.

As an early backer of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential bid, Harris has received support from the former president behind the scenes as she positions herself as the party's standard-bearer for the 2024 race.

Meanwhile, U.S. regulators are investigating Tesla's full self-driving software, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape as the election approaches.

As the US presidential election approaches, escalating violence in the Middle East is casting a long shadow over Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign.

With Arab voters expressing deep frustration over the Biden administration's unwavering support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, analysts are raising alarms about the potential repercussions for the Democratic candidate.

Historically, foreign policy has not been a primary concern for the majority of American voters. However, the ramifications of Israel's military actions, including its intense bombing campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, have ignited critical questions regarding America's role in these conflicts.

With less than four weeks until the election, many observers caution that the expanding military campaigns could severely dent Harris's chances against former President Donald Trump.

The Biden administration’s steadfast backing of Israel has resulted in fractures within the Democratic base. Many voters, particularly within the Arab American community, are becoming disillusioned and turning away from the party. According to Jim Zogby, co-founder of the Arab American Institute, the dynamics have shifted significantly.

“This is a constituency that, by the second term of the Obama administration, identified as Democrat by a two-to-one margin,” Zogby remarked, highlighting that party identification has now nearly evened out at 38 percent for both parties.

The devastating toll of the conflict is palpable, with more than 42,000 lives lost, including countless women and children. Much of this violence has been facilitated by approximately $20 billion in U.S. military aid. As Zogby noted, many Arab American voters are not necessarily shifting towards conservatism but are instead aiming to hold the current administration accountable for its role in the escalating violence. “There’s a sense that Palestinian and Lebanese lives don’t matter,” he stated.

Recent polling data underscores the precarious position Harris finds herself in among Arab voters. A September poll by the Arab American Institute showed her in a near tie with Trump, garnering 41 percent support compared to Trump's 42 percent. This represents a notable rebound for the Democrats, considering Biden's approval ratings among Arab voters plummeted to just 17 percent following the outbreak of the war in Gaza. In contrast, Biden secured 59 percent of the Arab vote during the 2020 election.

With Biden withdrawing from the 2024 race due to concerns about his age, many had hoped that Harris would offer a new perspective. However, her failure to distance herself from Biden's policies, including her reluctance to call for an end to U.S. weapons transfers to Israel, has drawn ire. In a recent interview, when asked if she would diverge from Biden on any issues, Harris responded, “There is not a thing that comes to mind.” Such statements have left many voters yearning for a sign of empathy and understanding.

The Democratic National Convention in August further exacerbated tensions within the Arab American community when party officials denied a Palestinian American speaker the opportunity to address the plight in Gaza. Zogby emphasized that “people are looking for the slightest gesture of humanity,” suggesting that the campaign's lack of responsiveness could cost them valuable votes.

Despite foreign policy not being a primary issue for most voters, over 80 percent of Arab Americans indicated that it will significantly influence their voting decisions. A large concentration of this community resides in critical swing states, such as Michigan, which boasts the second-largest Arab population in the United States, with nearly 392,733 Arab-identifying individuals out of a total population of 10 million.

Polling averages in Michigan indicate a razor-thin lead for Harris, at just around 1.8 percent, which falls within the margin of error. Analysts suggest that her precarious position could be further complicated by third-party candidates like Jill Stein, who are actively courting Arab and Muslim American voters in the region. “The situation in Gaza has complicated Democratic chances in Michigan,” stated Michael Traugott, a research professor at the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan. He warned that a significant turnout of the Arab community staying home on election day could be detrimental to Harris’s campaign.

Nonetheless, it is essential to note that Michigan’s Arab American population is not monolithic; there exist stark divisions within the community over how best to leverage their electoral influence. As Harris navigates this complex political landscape, the evolving situation in the Middle East will undoubtedly continue to shape the discourse in the run-up to the election.

Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance clashed over the Middle East crisis, immigration, taxes, abortion, climate change, and the economy on Tuesday at a vice presidential debate that was heavy on policy disagreements but light on personal attacks.

The two rivals, who have savaged each other on the campaign trail, struck a cordial tone, instead saving their fire for the candidates at the top of their tickets, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump. 

Vance questioned why Harris had not done more to address inflation, immigration, and the economy while serving in President Joe Biden's administration, mounting a consistent attack line that Trump often failed to deliver while debating Harris last month.

"If Kamala Harris has such great plans for how to address middle-class problems, then she ought to do them now - not when asking for promotion, but in the job the American people gave her 3-1/2 years ago," Vance said.

Walz described Trump as an unstable leader who had prioritised billionaires and turned Vance's criticism on its head on the issue of immigration, attacking Trump for pressuring Republicans in Congress to abandon a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year.

"Most of us want to solve this," Walz said of immigration. "Donald Trump had four years to do this, and he promised you, Americans, how easy it will be."

The debate at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York began with the escalating crisis in the Middle East, after Israel continued its assault on southern Lebanon on Tuesday and Iran mounted retaliatory missiles strikes against Israel.

Walz said Trump is too "fickle" and sympathetic to strongmen to be trusted to handle the growing conflict, while Vance asserted that Trump had made the world more secure during his term.

Asked whether he would support a preemptive strike against Iran by Israel, Vance suggested he would defer to Israel's judgment, while Walz did not directly answer the question.

Walz, 60, the liberal governor of Minnesota and a former high school teacher, and Vance, 40, a bestselling author and conservative firebrand US senator from Ohio, have portrayed themselves as two sons of America's Midwestern heartland with deeply opposing views on the issues gripping the country.

Trump, watching on television, was posting furiously during the debate, sometimes twice a minute, on his Truth Social site.

Seeking a moment 

The rivals each sought to land a lasting blow at the last remaining debate before the Nov. 5 presidential election. 

Political analysts say vice presidential debates can be fiery but generally do not alter the outcome of an election. That said, even a slight shift in public opinion could prove decisive with the race on a razor's edge five weeks before Election Day.

Walz was asked about a report this week that he was not in China during the violent 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, as he had previously claimed.

"I'm a knucklehead at times," he said. "I got there that summer and misspoke on this. So I was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protests, and from that I learned a lot about what it means to be in governance."

Vance, meanwhile, defended his running mate despite having criticized Trump ahead of the 2016 election.

"I was wrong about Donald Trump," he said. "I was wrong, first of all, because I believe some of the media stories that turned out to be dishonest fabrications of his record. But most importantly, Donald Trump delivered for the American people."

Walz also criticised Trump for his role in appointing three US Supreme Court justices who joined the court's decision to eliminate a nearly half-century nationwide right to abortion, an issue that has proven damaging to Republicans.

"Donald Trump put this all into motion," Walz said. "He brags about how great it was that he put the judges in and overturned Roe versus Wade," the 1972 Supreme Court decision protecting a right to abortion.

Vance, known for his deeply conservative stance on abortion, struck a more moderate tone on Tuesday, saying he did not back a national ban despite having previously done so. He said Trump's view is that individual states should decide whether to limit abortion.

In a social media post, Trump said he would veto a national ban, weeks after he refused to say whether he would during the presidential debate.

Despite Vance's having written "Hillbilly Elegy," a popular 2016 memoir, US voters have a negative view of him, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows, with 51% of registered voters saying they view him unfavourably, compared with 39% who view him favourably. Meanwhile Walz was viewed favourably by 44% of registered voters, with 43% reporting an unfavourable view in the Sept. 20-23 poll.

Harris was widely viewed as the winner of her sole debate with Trump on Sept. 10 in Philadelphia, which was watched by an estimated 67 million people and was far more chaotic than Tuesday's affair.

That square-off did little to change the trajectory of an extremely close election battle. While Harris has edged ahead in national polls, most surveys show voters remain fairly evenly divided in the seven states that will decide the November election. 

Donald Trump on Saturday (Sept 28) deployed some of his harshest rhetoric against immigrants who have crossed the border illegally and committed crimes, especially against young women, while he also escalated his personal insults against Kamala Harris.

In the battleground state of Wisconsin, Trump called Democratic Vice President Harris, who on Friday visited the US-Mexico border for the first time in her 2024 presidential campaign, "mentally impaired" and "mentally disabled".

The Republican presidential candidate was flanked by posters of immigrants in the US illegally who have been arrested for murder and other violent crimes, and banners saying "End Migrant Crime" and "Deport Illegals Now".

His speech was unusually devoted almost entirely to undocumented immigrants. He called those who had committed violent crime "monsters," "stone-cold killers" and "vile animals".

Trump is locked in a close race with Harris ahead of the Nov 5 election. Immigration and the southern border are one of the top issues for voters, according to opinion polls.

Sarafina Chitika, a Harris spokesperson, said after Trump's speech: "He's got nothing 'inspiring' to offer the American people, just darkness."

The former president blamed Harris and Democratic President Joe Biden for allowing undocumented immigrants into the US, accusing some migrants of wanting to "rape, pillage, thieve, plunder and kill the people of the United States of America".

At one point Trump admitted: "This is a dark speech".

Trump's speech was in the small Wisconsin city of Prairie du Chien, where a Venezuelan in the US illegally was detained in September for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and attacking her daughter.

Some seven million migrants have been arrested crossing the US-Mexico border illegally during Biden's administration, according to government data, a record high number that has fuelled criticism of Harris and Biden from Trump and fellow Republicans.

In her visit to the border on Friday, Harris outlined her plans to fix "our broken immigration system" while accusing Trump of "fanning the flames of fear and division" over the impact of immigrants on American life.

Harris also called for tighter asylum restrictions and vowed to make a "top priority" of stopping fentanyl from entering the US.

Trump also repeated his false claim that his 2020 election defeat to Biden was fraudulent. If reelected, and "if allowed", Trump said he would prosecute people he blames for his loss then.

Studies generally find there is no evidence immigrants commit crimes at a higher rate than native-born Americans and critics say Trump's rhetoric reinforces racist tropes.

Trump typically focuses on young women allegedly killed by Hispanic assailants to drive home that message, eschewing cases that involve male victims.

Trump's opponents accuse him of cynically exploiting grieving families to fuel his narrative that foreign-born, often Hispanic, arrivals are part of an invading army.

But some of the families of the victims have welcomed Trump's focus on the issue of violent crime and the death toll of teenagers caused by the opioid drug fentanyl, much of which crosses into the US over the southern border.

Several parents who had lost children to attacks by immigrants in the US illegally, or to fentanyl, spoke in support of him before Trump's remarks on Saturday.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is the Republican presidential candidate, said on Friday he will seek the prosecution of Google if he wins the Nov. 5 election, claiming that the company only displays "bad stories" about him.

Trump, in his post on Truth Social, gave no evidence for his assertion about Google.

"It has been determined that Google has illegally used a system of only revealing and displaying bad stories about Donald J. Trump, some made up for this purpose while, at the same time, only revealing good stories about" Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Trump said.

"This is an illegal activity, and hopefully the Justice Department will criminally prosecute them for this blatant interference of elections," Trump said. "If not, and subject to the laws of our country, I will request their prosecution, at the maximum levels, when I win the election, and become president of the United States."

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump made a similar claim about Google in 2019, according to the Washington Post. He alleged in a series of posts on Twitter, now known as X, that Google favored negative news stories about him in the 2016 presidential election, according to the Post. Google dismissed the claims at the time.

However, in recent weeks, some supporters of the former president have renewed the allegations. In July, days after an attempted assassination of Trump, billionaire Elon Musk, in a post on X, accused Google of having a search ban on the former president.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds a narrow lead over Republican rival Donald Trump in six US swing states and is tied in a seventh, according to a Bloomberg poll of likely voters released on Friday.

Her leads in individual states are within the poll's statistical margin of error, underscoring that the Nov. 5 contest could be decided by the narrowest of margins, it said.

The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows Harris leading by seven percentage points in Nevada, five points in Pennsylvania, three points in Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin, and two points in North Carolina. The two are tied in Georgia.

Across the seven states, Harris is ahead by three percentage points among likely voters, a lead that is two points higher than last month.

In a sign of her recent momentum, some 47% of likely voters think she will win the election, regardless of whether they back her, compared with the roughly 40% who said Trump would win.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this month showed Trump's campaign vow to increase tariffs on imported goods has the support of a narrow majority of voters, illustrating his economic advantage over Harris.

A New York Times poll of battleground states released on Monday showed Trump was narrowly ahead in Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina.

The Bloomberg poll said Trump still maintained an advantage over Harris on who would be better at handling the economy, but his lead is narrowing. His advantage was just 4 percentage points in the latest poll, down from 6 points in August.

On the question of immigration, Trump enjoys a 14-point trust advantage among likely voters, even though during a Sept. 10 debate he amplified a false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating residents' pets.

The poll surveyed 6,165 registered voters in seven swing states and was conducted online from Sept. 19 to Sept. 25. Likely voters totaled 5,692. For both registered and likely voters, the statistical margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states.

For the individual states, the margin of error was 3 percentage points in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and 4 points in Nevada.

US Muslim advocacy group Emgage Action on Wednesday endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris despite its ongoing concern over the war in Gaza, saying former president Donald Trump posed a greater danger with his promise to reinstate travel restrictions affecting majority-Muslim countries.

The endorsement comes as the 2024 race between Harris and Trump remains very tight ahead of the Nov 5 election. Arab American and Muslim voters may play a decisive role in the outcome in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and other battleground states. These voters helped President Joe Biden defeat Trump in 2020 by thousands of votes.

Many Muslim groups, including Emgage Action, have criticized the Biden administration, where Harris serves as vice president, for its support of Israel's war in Gaza. Harris has urged an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, saying she supports Israel's right to defend itself as well as the Palestinians' right to self-determination.

"While we do not agree with all of Harris’ policies, particularly on the war on Gaza, we are approaching this election with both pragmatism and conviction," Emgage CEO Wa'el Alzayat said in a statement, adding it sought to provide "honest guidance to our voters regarding the difficult choice they confront at the ballot box."

Emgage Action, which endorsed Biden in 2020, said it mobilized a million Muslim voters in that election. The group said the Harris endorsement reflects a "responsibility to defeat Trump and defend the community against what would be a return to Islamophobic and other harmful policies."

Trump's campaign had no immediate comment.

His campaign has held dozens of events with Arab Americans and Muslims in swing states and plans another event this weekend in Michigan, Richard Grenell, Trump's former acting director of national intelligence, said last week.

Trump has said he will reinstate the "travel ban" that restricts entry into the United States of people from a list of largely Muslim-dominant countries. Biden rolled back the ban shortly after taking office in 2021.

The Harris campaign welcomed the endorsement a week after another big voting bloc, the pro-Palestinian grassroots organization Uncommitted National Movement, said it would not endorse Harris, Trump or a third-party candidate.

Harris has already won the backing of smaller Muslim groups, including the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund and the American Muslim Democratic Caucus.

The US, Israel's biggest ally and weapons supplier, has sent Israel more than 10,000 highly destructive 2,000-pound (900-kg) bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles since the start of the Gaza war in October, U.S. officials told Reuters in June.

The war in the Gaza Strip began on Oct 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israeli communities, killing some 1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, Israel's military has leveled swaths of Gaza, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease and killing more than 41,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.

US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday she would offer tax credits to domestic manufacturers and invest in sectors that will "define the next century", as she detailed her economic plan to boost the US middle class.

Speaking at the Economic Club of Pittsburgh in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, the Democratic candidate in the Nov 5 presidential election said she would give tax credits to US manufacturers for retooling or rebuilding existing factories and expanding "good union jobs," and double the number of registered apprenticeships during her first term.

Harris also promised new investments in industries like bio-manufacturing, aerospace, artificial intelligence and clean energy.

Harris' speech, which lasted just under 40 minutes, did not detail how these policies would work. She highlighted her upbringing by a single mother, in contrast with Trump, the wealthy son of a New York real estate developer.

"I have pledged that building a strong middle class will be the defining goal of my presidency," Harris said, adding that she sees the election as a moment of choice between two "fundamentally different" visions of the US economy held by her and her Republican opponent Donald Trump. 

Also Read: Can Kamala win over middle class with new manufacturing incentives?

The vice president and Trump are focusing their campaign messaging on the economy, which Reuters/Ipsos polling shows is voters' top concern, as the election approaches.

The divide between rich and poor has grown in recent decades. The share of American households in the middle class, defined as those with two-thirds to double that of median household income, has dropped from around 62% in 1970 to 51% in 2023, Pew Research shows. These households' income has also not grown as fast as those in the top tier.

Trump, Harris said, is "only interested in making life better for himself and people like himself, the wealthiest of Americans."

She said she was committed to working with the private sector and entrepreneurs to help grow the middle class. She told the audience that she is "a capitalist" who believes in "free and fair markets," and described her policies as pragmatic rather than rooted in ideology.

Also Read: Biden: All-out war is possible but not inevitable in Middle East

Harris in recent months has blunted Trump's advantage on the economy, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday showing the Republican candidate with a marginal advantage of 2 percentage points on "the economy, unemployment and jobs," down from an 11-point lead in late July.

Trump discussed his economic plan in North Carolina on Wednesday and said Harris' role as vice president gave her the chance now to improve the economic record of the Biden administration.

"Families are suffering now. So if she has a plan, she should stop grandstanding and do it," he said. While Trump has proposed across-the-board tariffs on foreign-made goods - a proposal backed by a slim majority of voters - Harris is focusing on providing incentives for businesses to keep their operations in the US. 

Boosting American manufacturing in industries such as semiconductors and bringing back jobs that have moved overseas in recent decades have also been major goals for Biden. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act - all passed in 2021 and 2022 - fund a range of subsidies and tax incentives that encourage companies to place projects in disadvantaged regions.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Thursday that Jewish-American voters would be partly to blame if he loses the Nov 5 election to Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate.

During comments to the Israeli-American Council National Summit in Washington, the former president lamented that he was trailing Harris among American Jews.

Israel would likely cease to exist within two years should Harris win the election, and Jews would be partly to blame for that outcome because they tend to vote for Democrats, Trump argued.

"If I don't win this election - and the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens because if 40%, I mean, 60% of the people are voting for the enemy - Israel, in my opinion, will cease to exist within two years," Trump told the crowd.

Trump was citing a poll that he said showed Harris polling at 60% among American Jews. He also lamented winning less than 30% of the vote among American Jews in the 2016 election, which he won, and the 2020 election, which he lost to Democratic President Joe Biden.

It was not clear what poll the former president was citing, but a recent Pew Research Survey found American Jews favour Harris over Trump by a margin of 65% to 34%.

Trump made similar comments at a separate summit earlier in the evening, also in Washington, which was dedicated to fighting antisemitism in America.

The Trump campaign has made winning over Jewish voters in key battleground states a priority. U.S. Jews have leaned heavily towards Democrats in federal elections for decades and continue to do so, but just a small shift in the Jewish vote could determine the winner in November.

In the crucial battleground of Pennsylvania, for example, there are over 400,000 Jewish people, in a state Biden won by 81,000 votes in 2020.

"Preemptively blaming American Jews for your potential election loss does zero to help American Jews," said Jonathan Greenblatt, national director of the Anti-Defamation League.

Morgan Finkelstein, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, criticized Trump for at times associating with anti-Semites. Trump has rejected all accusations of anti-Semitism, noting during his speeches on Thursday that he has a Jewish son-in-law.

"When Donald Trump loses this election, it will be because Americans from all faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds came together to turn the page on the divisiveness he demonstrates every day," Finkelstein said in a statement to Reuters.

During his comments, Trump did not address a CNN report published earlier in the day regarding the Republican gubernatorial candidate in North Carolina, Mark Robinson.

That report alleged Robinson once called himself a "black NAZI!" in comments posted on a pornography website and that he advocated for the return of slavery.

Americans began casting their first in-person votes on Friday in a presidential election six weeks away that both Republican and Democratic leaders call the most important in generations.

The stakes are high: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and other party leaders have described Republican nominee Donald Trump as a threat to democracy, while Trump has said he must win to save the country from Democratic rule.

In-person voting marks a six-week stretch to the Nov 5 Election Day. It means the end is now in sight to the bitterly divided campaign which in just the past two months has seen Harris take over from President Joe Biden as the Democrats' nominee and Trump narrowly escaping one assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and a second apparent one on Sunday at his Florida golf club.

Most states offer some form of in-person early voting. The first in-person voting was in Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota with several more states to follow by the middle of October.

While Trump has frequently expressed scepticism about early voting in the past, the Republican National Committee has embraced the concept this year as an important way to pile up votes in advance, since weather and other factors can impact the turnout on Nov. 5 Election Day.

Democrats have taken advantage of early voting options in recent elections, banking millions of votes in the process.

In 2018, Democrats accounted for 41% of early votes in the 24 states that provide partisan data, compared to 35.1% for Republicans, according to the U.S. Elections Project at the University of Florida.

In 2022, that gap widened, with Democrats accounting for 42.5% of early ballots and Republicans 33.8%.

The year 2024 has been labeled as the year of elections as major countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and the United Kingdom held general elections. Now the United States (U.S.) presidential election is set for November 5 and is only weeks away.

Only three criteria are required to become a U.S. president, including being a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and having resided in the country for 14 years.

The U.S. election process can be divided into four phases.

The first involves the primary and caucus rounds, where voters select delegates.

In the second phase, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions are held, officially nominating candidates for president and vice president.

The third phase involves the general election, where citizens cast their votes.

While the U.S. presidential election is indirect, the most significant part occurs in the fourth phase, the formation of the Electoral College.

What is Electoral College?

On November 5, voters will elect 538 electors based on state population and representation in Congress. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. 

The United States registered voters will vote for electors and then the electors will make an Electoral College to elect the new president.  

Both parties will once again focus on swing states, which are crucial in determining the election outcome. After Congress certifies the results on January 6, the newly elected president will take the oath of office on January 20.

Throughout U.S. history, the Electoral College has been criticized for not being entirely democratic. Three instances have occurred where a candidate won the presidency despite losing the popular vote, including Donald Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016 wherein Donald Trump got three million fewer votes than his rival Hillary Clinton but still managed to become the POTUS because he got more electoral college. 

Former US President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt on Sunday, according to the FBI as quoted by the New York Times.

The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested after Secret Service agents opened fire near Trump’s Florida golf course. A high-powered AK-47-style rifle equipped with a scope and a GoPro camera was recovered at the scene.

Routh, reportedly hiding in shrubbery near the property, fled in a black car after Secret Service agents fired shots. Authorities were able to track down the vehicle after witnesses provided critical information, leading to Routh’s arrest. "We have somebody in custody right now that is a potential suspect," Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said during a press conference.

Who Is Ryan Wesley Routh?

Routh, a former construction worker from Greensboro, North Carolina, has no formal military background but has expressed a strong desire to participate in armed conflict. He made headlines in the past for his online posts, including a declaration of his willingness to "fight and die" in Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion. He also advocated for civilian intervention in global conflicts on various social media platforms.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Routh expressed his commitment to join the Ukraine conflict, while his Signal profile bio suggested that "civilians must change this war and prevent future wars." His WhatsApp bio further reflected his global activism, advocating for human rights and democracy.

Routh had also reportedly traveled to Ukraine in 2023, claiming to support the war effort and recruit Afghan soldiers, according to The New York Times. His criminal history includes a 2002 arrest in Greensboro, where he barricaded himself inside a building with a fully automatic weapon. The outcome of that case remains unclear.

The investigation into the alleged assassination attempt is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to gather information about Routh's background and motives.

US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Friday she will cut college degree requirements for certain federal jobs if elected president as the Democratic presidential candidate and her Republican rival have been making economic pledges to woo voters.

Harris and Republican former president Donald Trump are in a tight race for the Nov 5 US elections. Harris has previously said she will aim to pass a middle class tax cut, while Trump has advocated for cutting taxes on overtime pay. Both candidates have supported eliminating taxes on tips.

"As president, I will get rid of the unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs to increase jobs for folks without a four-year degree," Harris said in her speech in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

More than 62% of Americans age 25 or older did not hold a bachelor's degree, according to data released by the US Census Bureau in early 2023. Americans without college degrees made up three out of five voters in 2020.

The Democratic presidential candidate said on Friday the US should recognize the value of paths to success beyond a college degree, like apprenticeships and technical programs.

A degree does not necessarily indicate a person's skills, Harris said. She added: "And I will challenge the private sector to do the same."

A survey by Gallup and Lumina Foundation released earlier this year found that many Americans are skeptical about the value and cost of college. Over half of U.S. adults who have never been enrolled or once were enrolled said the cost of education was a "very important" reason for them to not sign up or return to college.

Interruption from protesters

Harris' speech faced some interruption from protesters opposing U.S. support for Israel's war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.

Demonstrators in the U.S. have for months demanded an end to the war and restrictions on shipments of weapons to Israel.

Harris reiterated her support for a ceasefire and hostage rescue deal. "Now is the time to get a hostage deal and ceasefire," Harris said when interrupted. "I respect your voice, but right now, I am speaking," she added.

Harris has pledged support for Israel. Observers have said that if pro-Palestinian Americans including activists as well as Muslims and Arabs, who overwhelmingly voted for the Democrats in the last presidential election, withhold their vote, it may hurt Harris' chances. While those groups are unlikely to tilt toward Trump, some activists have pledged support to third party candidates.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered last Oct 7 when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's subsequent assault on the Hamas-governed enclave has killed over 41,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, while displacing nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, causing a hunger crisis and leading to genocide allegations at the World Court that Israel denies.

Kamala Harris vowed a tougher approach to migration along the U.S. southern border and said she would not withhold weapons to Israel, in her first interview with a major news organization since becoming the Democratic nominee for president.

In the interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash, Harris sought to show she is in command of the issues and give Americans a sense of her policy positions with little more than two months until Election Day on Nov. 5.

 Kamala Harris vowed a tougher approach to migration along the U.S. southern border and said she would not withhold weapons to Israel, in her first interview with a major news organization since becoming the Democratic nominee for president.

In the interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash, Harris sought to show she is in command of the issues and give Americans a sense of her policy positions with little more than two months until Election Day on Nov. 5.

The Balochistan Election Tribunal has de-notified the provincial Home Minister Zia Lango as the Election Tribunal ordered re-voting at seven polling stations in Gizag and Johan.

The Election Tribunal led by Justice Abdullah Baloch heard the case invalidated the appointment of Zia Longo as the Ministry of Interior.

Mir Saeed Longo filed an election complaint against Zia Lango in the Election Tribunal.

Balochistan CM constituency case verdict

Separately, the Election Tribunal of Balochistan dismissed the petition filed against Sarfraz Bagti. Nawabzada Ghoram Bugti challenged Chief Minister Balochistan's eligibility from PB 10. Know more from Mohammad Atif.

The tribunal announced the reserved decision against the competence of Balochistan Chief Minister.

The Election Tribunal consisting of Justice Rozi Khan had reserved the decision on the completion of the hearing last day.

On behalf of the government, Advocate General Balochistan Asif Ali pursued the case in the Election Tribunal.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti's eligibility for PB-10 was challenged by Nawabzada Ghoram Bugti.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has dismissed the votes recounting the plea of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Ali Gohar of constituency NA-97.

PML-N Ali Gohar Baloch moved the apex court against the annulment of a recount in NA-97 but the court rejected the plea.

Ali Gohar Baloch's lawyer could not show the application to the returning officer in time. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also confirmed that the application was not received in time.

“There is no such application on record,” DG Law ECP apprised the SC.

Read more: Punjab Assembly Results 2024 - Live updates

A refreshed Democratic Party reintroduces itself to a divided nation this week, having been transformed by the money, momentum, relief and even joy that followed Vice President Kamala Harris' rise to the top of its ticket.

The whiplash of the last month culminates in a convention that begins Monday in Chicago. Above all, the four-day gathering of thousands of activists and party leaders from across the nation is designed to celebrate and strengthen Harris as President Joe Biden's replacement and boost her campaign to defeat Republican Donald Trump in November.

Just beneath the surface, real questions loom about the depth of Harris' newfound support, the breadth of her coalition and the strength of her movement. Not even a month ago, Democrats were deeply divided over foreign policy, political strategy and Biden himself, who was holding on after his disastrous debate by suggesting he had a better chance than any Democrat — including Harris — of beating Trump.

Far from the formality that many modern party conventions have become, this week's event will bring many Americans their first extended look at Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. How the Democrats present Harris and Walz will be critical, especially with Trump launching a weeklong effort to cut into their message.

A potential distraction will be thousands of progressive protesters who are expected to descend upon Chicago to decry the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Harris’ allies are hopeful that the pro-Palestinian protesters will not overshadow the official program, which features a slate of current and former Democratic stars.

“Democrats are walking into that convention enthused, excited and unified,” said one of those stars, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was a finalist to be Harris' running mate. “And it’s critically important that we prosecute the case against Donald Trump and the chaos that he would bring — and leave that convention even more unified, even more excited, even more enthused for the final 75 or so days of this campaign.”

Shapiro said he welcomed protesters during the convention — “provided the protest is peaceful, provided the protest follows the rules of the community.”

Part of introducing Harris and Walz will be first giving a graceful exit to the 81-year-old incumbent president, who is slated to deliver the keynote address Monday.

The Democratic Party likely would have been in a far worse state if Biden had continued to cling to the nomination. He faced growing concerns about his mental and physical acuity after struggling to complete sentences at the debate.

By deciding to step aside and endorse Harris, the 81-year-old president will instead receive a hero's welcome in his final turn in the spotlight 52 years after being elected to the Senate from Delaware.

Biden is planning to give a lengthy endorsement of Harris and sharply criticize Trump before he leaves Chicago and makes way for the program to focus on the vice president he chose four years ago.

Trump has tried to inflame tensions over Biden's exit. He called Biden’s Monday speaking slot “convention death valley,” suggesting that the president would get lower ratings than speakers on other nights. And as he has for weeks now, Trump described the convention itself as “rigged” because is was Biden, not Harris, who won 14 million primary votes and collected delegates state by state.

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The convention will lean into the party's potential to make history. Harris vies to be the first woman, the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to reach the Oval Office.

“I wasn’t sure I would see this particular moment in my lifetime, to see a Black woman who is now on the cusp of becoming our next president,” said Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, one of the nation’s highest-ranking Black women elected officials.

Stratton recalled Hillary Clinton's loss to Trump eight years ago, one in which she lost key battlegrounds even as she led the national popular vote.

“I remember back in 2016 when we touched the glass ceiling, and the reaction of Republicans was just to start destroying the rights that got us there,” Stratton said. “This is another chance.”

Harris will aim to use the convention to take a share of credit for what she and Biden accomplished while also trying to show that she recognizes voters want more. Heading into Chicago, she unveiled the initial planks of her policy platform focused on addressing the bite of inflation and the costs of food, housing and childcare.

Democrats will keep abortion access front and center for voters, betting that the issue will propel them to success as it has in other key races since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago.

Every living Democratic president and first lady will appear this week, except for the ailing Jimmy Carter, along with a long list of federal, state and local officials and activists.

It’s set to be a contrast to last month's GOP convention in Milwaukee, where former President George W. Bush and former vice president Mike Pence, among other well-known Republicans, stayed away from the event given Trump's antipathy toward them.

Expected to speak this week is former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican who investigated Trump’s actions around the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and has endorsed Harris.

With precious few days remaining before early voting begins in some places in September, recent polls show a close race nationally and in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. And polls show Trump still has advantages on how Americans view the two of them on core issues like the economy and immigration.

Terry McAuliffe, a former Virginia governor and longtime operative who will attend his 13th Democratic convention this week, warned that the euphoria Democrats have about Harris' ascension could obscure the true state of the campaign.

He noted that the Republican convention in Milwaukee was a veritable Trump coronation, with Democrats consumed by anxiety and uncertainty. Now, it’s Trump who seems to be reeling as he searches for the right message to stop Harris’ rise.

The lesson, McAuliffe said, is never to assume the a campaign is settled and always remember the outcome rests on getting 270 Electoral College votes by winning the right battleground states.

The former president is not ceding this week to Democrats. He will go a different swing state each day — starting with Pennsylvania, followed by Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada by week's end.

Trump’s campaign has also dispatched high-profile allies to Chicago to host daily news conferences. The lineup includes Florida Sen. Rick Scott, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.

“We have four days of messaging that the country will get to look at Kamala Harris, get to look at Tim Walz. We’ll get to look at their agenda, what they stand for, who we are,” McAuliffe said. “It’s going to be a close election. That’s just where our country is today.”

Whatever happens this week, both sides will be watching with anticipation as Harris writes a new chapter in what has already been a precedent-breaking campaign.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her newly selected vice presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, campaigned for the first time together on Tuesday in Philadelphia, kicking off a multi-day tour of battleground states aimed at introducing Walz to the national stage.

In his remarks to a raucous crowd of more than 10,000 at Temple University, Walz described his upbringing in a small Nebraska town, his 24 years serving in the Army National Guard and his prior career as a high school social studies teacher and football coach.

"It was my students who encouraged me to run for office," he said. "They saw in me what I was hoping to instill in them: a commitment of common good, a belief that one person can make a difference."

He also went after the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, an early demonstration of how Walz will approach the traditional "attack dog" role of the vice presidential candidate despite his affable, folksy style.

"He mocks our laws, he sows chaos and division, and that's to say nothing of his record as president," Walz said of Trump. "He froze in the face of the COVID crisis, he drove our economy into the ground, and make no mistake, violent crime was up under Donald Trump. That's not even counting the crimes he committed."

Harris' entry into the race after President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid just over two weeks ago has rapidly upended the election campaign, with polls showing she has erased the lead Trump had built.

Walz criticized Republicans for pursuing restrictions on women's reproductive rights, an issue that has plagued Republicans since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 ended women's constitutional right to abortion.

"Even if we wouldn't make the same choice for ourselves, there's a golden rule: mind your own damn business!" he said, drawing a huge ovation.

Harris, speaking before Walz, listed his titles - husband, father, teacher, coach, veteran, congressman, governor - before predicting he would earn a new one in the Nov. 5 election: vice president of the United States.

"He's the kind of person who makes people feel like they belong and then inspires them to dream big," she said.

Harris, the U.S. vice president, announced her choice of Walz earlier in the day, opting for a vice presidential running mate with executive experience, military service and a track record of winning over the rural, white voters who have gravitated to Trump over the years.

The Harris campaign said it had raised more than $20 million after the announcement of Walz as the vice presidential pick.

Pennsylvania, the site of their first rally, is seen as perhaps the most critical state in what is expected to be a close election between the Democrats and their Republican rivals.

Item 1 of 4 Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, vice presidential running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz attend a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

[1/4]Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, vice presidential running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz attend a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

TRUMP, VANCE CALL WALZ 'RADICAL'

Walz was elected to a Republican-leaning district in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 and served 12 years before being elected governor of Minnesota in 2018 and again in 2022.

He has pushed a progressive agenda that includes free school meals, goals for tackling climate change, tax cuts for the middle class and expanded paid leave for workers.

Trump and Vance were quick to criticize the new competition as too liberal.

"This is the most Radical Left duo in American history," Trump wrote on his social media platform.

Vance knocked Walz for his handling of protests after George Floyd, a Black man, was killed in Minneapolis by a white police officer in 2020, with the Republican saying Walz was not assertive enough in combating the rioters.

"The biggest problem with the Tim Walz pick - it's not Tim Walz himself. It's what it says about Kamala Harris, that when given the opportunity she will bend the knee to the most radical elements of her party," Vance told reporters in Philadelphia earlier in the day.

Americans typically focus on the person at the top of the ticket when choosing whom to vote for, but vice presidential candidates can help or hurt their running mates based on their backgrounds, home state popularity and ability to sway important constituencies or independent voters.

"She went with her gut on this one and chose the option that won't alienate young folks," said Republican strategist Rina Shah.

Walz beat out Pennsylvania's popular governor, Josh Shapiro, for the No. 2 role. Shapiro had faced sharp criticism from the left, especially progressive groups and pro-Palestinian activists, over his support for Israel and his handling of college protests sparked by the war in Gaza.

Shapiro delivered a fiery speech at the Tuesday evening rally in his home state, attacking Republicans and promising to "work my tail off" to get Harris elected. He also offered a strong endorsement of Walz, telling the crowd that he is an "outstanding governor" and a "great patriot."

Some Trump advisers were glad Harris did not pick Shapiro because of concerns he could help deliver all-important Pennsylvania if he was on the ticket, one adviser said.

After their joint appearance in Philadelphia, Harris and Walz plan a multi-city tour of critical swing states including Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada. Vance is doing a similar tour, with stops in Michigan and Wisconsin planned on Wednesday.

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump falsely suggested to the country's largest annual gathering of Black journalists on Wednesday that his Democratic rival Kamala Harris had previously downplayed her Black heritage.

"She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black, until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black," Trump said, drawing a smattering of jeers from an audience of about 1,000 people.

"So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black? Trump continued. "But you know what, I respect either one, but she obviously doesn't, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she went - she became a Black person."

Harris, who is of Indian and Jamaican heritage, has long self-identified as both Black and Asian. She is the first Black person and Asian American person to serve as vice president.

Hours after Trump's comments, Harris told members of the historically Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho gathered in Houston that his remarks were "yet another reminder" of what the four years under the former president looked like.

"It was the same old show of divisiveness and disrespect," Harris said. "The American people deserve better."

Since launching her White House campaign earlier this month, Harris has faced a barrage of sexist and racist attacks online, with some far-right accounts questioning her racial identity. Republican Party leaders have urged lawmakers to refrain from personal attacks and focus on her policy positions.

Trump himself has used personal insults against Harris and said he was going to ignore advice that he tone down his rhetoric. "I'm not gonna be nice!" he told supporters at one campaign rally.

'BLACK JOBS'

The interview at the National Association of Black Journalists' convention in Chicago started on a tense note, when ABC News reporter Rachel Scott - one of three Black women moderators - listed a series of racist comments Trump had made and asked why Black voters should support him.

In response, Trump called the question "horrible," "hostile" and a "disgrace" and described ABC as a "fake" network.

"I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln," he boasted, drawing groans from the audience.

Trump repeated a line from the presidential debate in June, claiming that migrants crossing the U.S. southern border would take away "Black jobs," a term that drew criticism from some Black leaders.

"What exactly is a 'Black job,' sir?" Scott asked him.

"A Black job is anybody with a job," Trump replied.

Trump also declined to say whether Harris was a "DEI hire," as some fellow Republicans have claimed, saying, "I don't know."

DEI stands for "diversity, equity and inclusion" initiatives aimed at increasing representation of women and people of color in the workforce to address longstanding inequities and discrimination. The term "DEI hire" is used to suggest a person is not qualified and was chosen on the basis of race or gender.

When asked about his position on granting police officers immunity following the death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who was killed in her own home by a sheriff's deputy in Illinois, Trump acknowledged he didn't know much about the case - drawing some gasps from the crowd - before adding that "it didn't look good to me."

The interview began more than an hour late, which the Trump campaign said was due to problems with the event's audio equipment. Both Trump and the moderators were sometimes unable to hear each other during the interview.

The session, originally scheduled for an hour, ended abruptly after about 35 minutes when the campaign said he was out of time, according to the moderators.

At a rally in Pennsylvania later on Wednesday, Trump did not mention his comments about Harris' racial identity, but the arena's screens showed old news articles highlighting her Indian-American background, and not her Black heritage, before he took the stage.

Trump blamed Harris for a surge in immigration during the Biden administration and claimed she would ban fracking, playing a video that showed her endorsing such a ban during her failed presidential bid in 2019. Her campaign recently said she would not ban fracking if she wins the White House.

COURTING BLACK VOTERS

Whit Ayres, a Republican strategist, said Trump's questioning of Harris' racial background was "not a wise move."

"There are plenty of policy issues he can go after her on without going after her identity," he said.

In the 2020 census, 33.8 million Americans self-identified as multiracial, up from nine million in 2010.

The invitation to Trump to attend the event triggered a backlash among some members of the NABJ and prompted a co-chair of the convention to step down in protest this week.

During the interview, some of Trump's false statements were met with murmurs and laughter from the crowd. At one point, someone yelled out, "Sir, have you no shame?" before others shushed him.

Trump's appearance was part of a broader effort to court Black voters, including campaign events in cities with large Black populations such as Atlanta, where he will rally on Saturday.

His campaign was encouraged by polls showing weakened support among Black men for President Joe Biden, his former opponent. Black voters are traditionally the most loyal Democratic voting bloc and supported Biden 92%-8% over Trump in 2020, according to Pew Research.

But Biden's decision to step down in favor of Harris has shaken up the race, with public opinion polls showing newfound enthusiasm for her candidacy among voters of color and younger voters.

A national Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed Harris leading Trump 43%-42%, within the poll's margin of error.

Former President Barack Obama and ex-First Lady Michelle Obama have officially endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee, ending days of speculation. In a joint statement, they praised Harris for having the "vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands."

The Obamas expressed their wholehearted support, stating, "We could not be more thrilled to endorse Kamala Harris. We will do everything we can to elect her." They lauded Harris's impressive resume as California’s attorney general, a US senator, and now vice-president, emphasizing that she possesses more than just credentials. "Kamala has the vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands," they added.

President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race last Sunday, triggering Harris's outreach to over 100 prominent Democrats, including Obama. Although Obama initially praised Biden's decision, he withheld immediate endorsement until now.

Harris has already garnered the support of a majority of Democratic delegates, positioning her as the likely official nominee at the party convention in August. The endorsement came with a heartfelt video showing Harris receiving the Obamas' call, visibly moved by their support.

Harris has been actively campaigning across the US since Biden's exit. On Thursday, she addressed the American Federation of Teachers union in Houston, where she received loud applause and cheers. Harris criticized "extremist" Republicans and their "failed" policies, stating, “We want to ban assault weapons, and they want to ban books.”

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump quickly responded to Harris's new status, attacking her on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling her a "radical left Marxist." Trump also refused to commit to a televised debate with Harris until she is officially confirmed as the Democratic nominee, suggesting that Democrats might still be looking for "someone 'better'."

The endorsement by the Obamas significantly bolsters Harris’s campaign, providing her with substantial political capital as she prepares for the upcoming party convention and the general election campaign against Trump.

Former President Donald Trump in his speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night described the assassination attempt that he won’t undertake a second time “because it’s actually too painful to tell.”

The former president recalled the day of the rally in Pennsylvania – the crowd cheering and him walking up to the stage. “Everyone was happy,” Trump said.

He said he immediately knew they were under attack and dropped to the ground as “bullets were continuing to fly.”

Trump said that “very brave” Secret Services members rushed to the stage and “pounced on top of me so that I would be protected.” 

“There was blood pouring everywhere and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side.”

Former President Donald Trump has formally accepted the GOP nomination for president for a third time at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

“So tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States,” Trump said to applause.

Tonight’s speech marks his first public address since surviving an assassination attempt last week.

Trump beat multiple GOP primary challengers and became the first former president to be convicted of a felony in May.

Former President Donald Trump mentioned his likely opponent, President Joe Biden, by name during his speech Thursday night, although he said he wouldn’t do it again.

President Joe Biden Wednesday said he was “doing well,” hours after testing positive for COVID-19. The White House made the announcement earlier this evening, shortly after he abruptly canceled a Las Vegas speech where he planned to appeal to Latino voters.

The 81-year-old president tested positive after his first event in Las Vegas on Wednesday and is experiencing “mild symptoms,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in the statement. She added that he is vaccinated and boosted against the virus and will return to his home in Rehoboth, Delaware, where he will self-isolate.

“The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation,” she said.

The news was first announced by the president of UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino nonprofit advocacy organization.

“Regrettably I was just on the phone with President Biden,” UnidosUS President Janet Murguía told the crowd gathered in a Las Vegas ballroom to hear the president. “And he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon. The president has been at many events as we all know, and he just tested positive for COVID. So, of course, we understand that he needs to take the precautions that have been recommended, and he did not obviously want to put anybody at risk.”

A message from Biden’s doctor followed Jean-Pierre’s statement, adding that Biden’s respiratory rate, temperature and blood oxygen levels are all normal, and that he has received a dose of treatment. The doctor, whose name was not given in the statement, said Biden had shown symptoms including a runny nose, a cough and general malaise.

“His symptoms remain mild, his respiratory rate is normal at 16, his temperature is normal at 97.8 and his pulse oximetry is normal at 97%,” the note said. “The president has received his first dose of Paxlovid. He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth.”

As Biden prepared to board Air Force One to fly to Delaware, reporters asked him how he felt. He gave the press a thumbs-up and replied: “Good. I feel good.”

Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a Saturday campaign rally, streaking the Republican presidential candidate's blood across his face and prompting his security agents to swarm him, before he emerged and pumped his fist in the air, mouthing the words "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

The shooter was dead, one rally attendee was killed and two other spectators were injured, the Secret Service said in a statement. The incident was being investigated as an assassination attempt.

Law enforcement officials told reporters they had tentatively identified a suspected shooter but were not ready to do so publicly. They also said they not yet identified a motive.

8 shots fired at Trump today during Rally in Butler, PA

The shooter is dead. One audience member is dead. Another audience member is in critical condition.#Trump #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/LbETrlPfvl

— Ashley Fox (@AFoxTweets) July 13, 2024

Trump, 78, had just started his speech when the shots rang out. He grabbed his right ear with his right hand, then brought his hand down to look at it before dropping to his knees behind the podium before Secret Service agents swarmed and covered him. He emerged about a minute later, his red "Make America Great Again" hat knocked off, and could be heard saying "wait, wait," before the fist bump, then agents rushed him to a black SUV.

"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," Trump said later on his Truth Social platform following the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles (50 km) north of Pittsburgh. "Much bleeding took place."

The shooting occurred less than four months before the Nov. 5 election, when Trump faces an election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden. Most opinion polls including those by Reuters/Ipsos show the two locked in a close contest.

US President Joe Biden first reaction on Trump shooting

US President Joe Biden said he has been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.

“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden said.

In a statement said: “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”

Leading Republicans, Democrats quickly condemn violence

The Trump campaign said he was "doing well."

Biden said in a statement: "There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it."

Republican U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas told Fox News his nephew had been wounded at the rally.

The shooting raised immediate questions about security failures by the Secret Service, which provides former presidents including Trump with lifetime protection.

It was the first shooting of a U.S. president or major party candidate since the 1981 attempted assassination of Republican President Ronald Reagan.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said Trump has left the Butler area under the protection of the U.S. Secret Service with the assistance of the Pennsylvania state police. Republican U.S. Representative Daniel Meuser told CNN Trump was headed to Bedminster, New Jersey, where he has a golf club.

WITNESS ACCOUNT

Ron Moose, a Trump supporter at the rally, said he heard about four shots. "I saw the crowd go down and then Trump ducked also real quick," he said. "Then the Secret Service all jumped and protected him as soon as they could. We are talking within a second they were all protecting him."

The BBC interviewed a man who described himself as an eyewitness, saying he saw a man armed with a rifle crawling up a roof near the event. The person, who the BBC did not identify, said he and the people he was with started pointing at the man, trying to alert security.

The shots appeared to come from outside the area secured by the Secret Service, the agency said. The FBI said it had taken the lead in investigating the attack.

CNN, citing sources, said the FBI had identified the suspected shooter, a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man.

REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS DECRY VIOLENCE

Trump is due to receive his party's formal nomination at the Republican National Convention, which kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday.

"This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned," Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said on social media.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was horrified by what happened and was relieved Trump was safe. "Political violence has no place in our country," he said.

Biden's campaign was pausing its television ads and halting all other outbound communication, a campaign official said.

Americans fear rising political violence, recent Reuters/Ipsos polling shows, with two out of three respondents to a May survey saying they worried violence could follow the election.

Some of Trump's Republican allies said they believed the attack was politically motivated.

"For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America," said U.S. Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, who survived a politically motivated shooting in 2017. "Clearly we’ve seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past. This incendiary rhetoric must stop."

Trump, who served as president from 2017-2021, easily bested his rivals for the Republican nomination early in the campaign and has largely unified around him the party that had briefly wavered in support after his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

The businessman and former reality television star entered the year facing a raft of legal worries, including four separate criminal prosecutions. He was found guilty in late May of trying to cover up hush money payments to a porn star, but the other three prosecutions he faces -- including two for his attempts to overturn his defeat -- have been ground to a halt by various factors including a Supreme Court decision early this month that found him to be partly immune to prosecution.

Trump contends without evidence that all four prosecutions have been orchestrated by Biden to try to prevent him from returning to power.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who was seated in the front row at the rally, said he had started to go up on stage when Trump said he would have him come up later.

"Within a minute or two, I heard the shots ... It was clear it was gunfire," he told Reuters in an interview. "It felt like it was an assassination attempt ... It was terrifying."

FBI stance 

The FBI has called the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night an attempted assassination.

“This evening, we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump. It’s still an active crime scene,” said Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, speaking at a news conference in Butler, Pennsylvania.

He said authorities are “working feverishly to attempt to identify the individual who did this and any motives behind why this was done,” and asked the public to reach out with any information that might help.

The FBI has deployed investigative agents, evidence response teams, and other personnel from across the country, he said.

Suspected shooter

The suspected shooter at the Donald Trump rally did not have identification, according to multiple law enforcement sources. The gunman is dead.

The polling process kicked off at 8 am in PK-22 by-elections and as per the ECP polling schedule, vote casting will conclude at 5pm.

Mubarak Zeb, who was elected as an independent, had vacated the seat of PK-22and ECP announced the elections on vacant seat.

There are more than 179,000 voter in PK-22 including 99038 male voters and 79972 female voters. ECP DRO said 43 polling stations on PK 22 are sensitive, 23 have been declared highly sensitive.

ECP said 91 polling stations established for 179,000 voters. Polling started at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm. The contest in the by-election is between 11 candidates. A total of 11 candidates are in the fray on PK 22.

Abid Khan of Jamaat-e-Islami, Nisar Baz of ANP, Rahatullah of Sunni Ittehad, Pakistan People's Party's Abdullah, independent Akhtar Gul, Najibullah Khan, Mian Habib Gul are main candidates.

Voters termed unrest, lack of education facilities and health facilities are major issues off the constituency.

U.S. President Joe Biden faced fresh doubts about his re-election chances from prominent figures such as Nancy Pelosi and George Clooney, raising concerns among Democratic lawmakers and donors.

Former House Speaker Pelosi, a longtime Biden ally, indicated on MSNBC that Biden must quickly decide whether to stay in the 2024 White House race but declined to explicitly support his candidacy.

Hollywood star Clooney, who co-hosted a fundraiser for Biden last month, withdrew his support in a New York Times opinion piece, criticizing Biden's current performance compared to 2020.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has privately expressed openness to a Democratic candidate other than Biden, although he publicly reiterated his support for the president. Senator Peter Welch became the first Democratic senator to call for Biden to withdraw, adding to the pressure.

One major donor mentioned that Democratic leaders might issue statements of concern after the NATO summit, suggesting internal party tensions.

The Abandon Biden Campaign, critical of Biden's handling of the Israel-Gaza war, called for Biden to step aside. For nearly two weeks, the 81-year-old president has sought to address concerns from Democratic lawmakers, donors, and allies worried about his chances against Republican Donald Trump. Pelosi advised colleagues to withhold public criticism until after the NATO summit, praising Biden's performance at the event.

Biden's campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon and senior advisers will brief Senate Democrats, reinforcing Biden's commitment to staying in the race. Despite this, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal voiced concerns about Biden's ability to win. In Dallas, Vice President Kamala Harris, the leading contender to replace Biden if he steps aside, emphasized the election's importance at an event.

Clooney's opinion piece described Biden as no longer the dynamic leader of the past, warning that Democrats risk losing the House and Senate. Democratic Representative Earl Blumenauer joined eight other House members calling for Biden to end his re-election campaign. Public defections remain limited, but the party is divided over Biden's candidacy due to concerns about his health and acuity. Senator Michael Bennet also expressed doubts about Biden's ability to defeat Trump.

In response, Biden has sought support from loyal communities, including Black Democratic lawmakers and voters. He received enthusiastic applause from labor leaders at an AFL-CIO executive council meeting, highlighting shared goals and commitments to addressing key issues like high rents, expensive groceries, and housing shortages. Labor votes were crucial to Biden's 2020 victory in states like Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.

A coalition of the French left gained the most seats in high-stakes legislative elections on Sunday, beating back a far-right surge but failing to win a majority.

France, a pillar of the European Union and Olympic host country, faced the daunting prospect of a hung parliament and political paralysis.

The political turmoil has the potential to disrupt markets and the French economy, which is the second-largest in the EU, and may have significant ramifications for the conflict in Ukraine, global diplomacy, and the economic stability of Europe.

When President Emmanuel Macron announced the election on June 9, he said that turning to voters again would provide "clarification."

It appears that the gamble has failed on almost every level. According to official results released early Monday, all three main blocs were far below the 289 seats needed to control the 577-seat National Assembly, France's more powerful legislative chamber.

The results showed that the New Popular Front leftist coalition placed first, ahead of Macron's centrist alliance, which had more than 160 seats. Marine Le Pen's National Rally and its allies were restricted to third place, although their more than 140 seats were still way ahead of the party's previous best showing — 89 seats in 2022.

A parliament that is hung is unknown territory for modern France.

“Our country is facing an unprecedented political situation and is preparing to welcome the world in a few weeks,” stated Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who intends to tender his resignation later today.

As the Paris Olympics approach, Attal expressed his readiness to remain at his position for as long as his duties require. Macron has three more years remaining on his presidential term.

Attal reiterated his disapproval of Macron's unexpected decision to call the election, stating, "I did not choose the dissolution" of the previous National Assembly, where the president's centrist alliance was the single largest group, albeit without an absolute majority. It was able to govern for two years, pulling in lawmakers from other camps to fight off efforts to bring it down.

The new legislature appears to be lacking in such stability. During Macron's trip to Washington this week for a summit of the NATO alliance, he will depart a nation that is uncertain about its forthcoming prime minister and may be forced to share power with a politician who strongly opposes his policies.

Many still rejoiced. In Paris' Stalingrad square, supporters cheered and applauded as projections showing the alliance ahead appeared on a giant screen. Several minutes of continuous applause ensued after the projections landed in Republique plaza in eastern Paris, accompanied by spontaneously hugging strangers.

Marielle Castry, a medical secretary, was on the Metro in Paris when the projected results were first announced. She was a medical secretary.

“Everybody had their smartphones and were waiting for the results and then everybody was overjoyed,” said the 55-year-old. “I had been stressed out since June 9 and the European elections. ... And now, I feel good. Relieved.”

Amid increasing calls from fellow Democrats to end his campaign for re-election, U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday gave no hint that he was considering stepping aside after a pair of defiant public appearances a day earlier.

Biden, 81, is facing a slow-boil uprising from congressional Democrats and some influential donors who have grown concerned he lacks the capacity to defeat Republican Donald Trump, 78, in the Nov. 5 election. A much-anticipated interview the president gave to ABC News that aired Friday evening seemed to do little to temper those worries.

In that interview, Biden said only the "Lord Almighty" could persuade him to abandon his campaign, dismissing the possibility that Democratic leaders could band together to try and talk him into standing down. He held a business-as-usual call with the national co-chairs of his campaign on Saturday, the White House said.

Pressure from Congress seems only likely to ramp up in the coming days as lawmakers return to Washington from a holiday recess, with Biden perhaps facing one of the most consequential weeks of his presidency.

Even as his future will be debated on Capitol Hill, Biden will host dozens of world leaders at a high-stakes NATO summit in Washington and is scheduled to hold what is sure to be a closely watched press conference.

On Saturday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota became the first Democratic member of the House of Representatives in a battleground district to call for Biden to relent.

“Given what I saw and heard from the President during last week’s debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a forceful response from the President himself following that debate, I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump,” Craig, a top 2024 target of House Republican efforts, posted on X.

Some Democratic House lawmakers are circulating two separate letters calling for Biden to step aside, House Democratic sources have said. Many of those lawmakers had been waiting to see the ABC News interview before moving forward.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries scheduled a virtual meeting on Sunday with senior House Democrats to discuss Biden’s candidacy and the path forward.

U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas, who had previously called on Biden to step aside, told CNN after the ABC interview, "Every day (Biden) delays makes it more difficult for a new person to come on board to defeat Donald Trump."

Meanwhile on the Senate side, U.S. Senator Mark Warner was contacting some fellow Democratic senators to invite them to a possible meeting on Monday to discuss Biden's campaign.

Biden spent Saturday at his home in Delaware, with no public events on his schedule, although he attended an evening church service. Sunday will be a busy day for him, with two Pennsylvania campaign events in Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

At a campaign rally in Madison, Wisconsin on Friday, Biden vowed to stay in the race.

"I am running and gonna win again," Biden told supporters.

Some polls show Trump's lead over Biden widening, and Democrats worry concerns about the president could weigh on down-ballot races.

But Biden registered his best showing yet in a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult tracking poll of battleground states, with Trump leading Biden by only 2 percentage points, 47% to 45%, in the critical states needed to win the November election.

One bright spot for Biden came early Saturday, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas accepted a U.S. proposal to begin talks on releasing Israeli hostages, including soldiers and men, a move that could pave the way for a ceasefire to end the nine-month-old war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the top choice to replace Biden if he were to step aside as the Democratic Party's standard-bearer, spoke in New Orleans at the Essence Festival of Culture, an annual culture and music festival sponsored by Essence magazine, whose target audience is Black women.

Harris attacked former President Donald Trump and the US Supreme Court for taking away abortion rights. The appearance was part of an effort by the Biden campaign to shore up support among Black voters.

Harris on Friday posted a supportive note on X after Biden's rally in Madison, saying the president had devoted his life to fighting for Americans. "In this moment, I know all of us are ready to fight for him," she said.

Margaret Washa, 75, a retired physical therapist from Middleton, Wisconsin, saw Biden at the Madison rally and thought he looked more vigorous, but grew dismayed after watching the interview.

"It's starting to be about him and whether he can do it, and rather than about what's best for our nation, and about turning over leadership to the next generation," she said. "It's time to pass the baton. There are so many good, strong, younger, intelligent, more charismatic Democrats out there."

U.S. President Joe Biden today blamed jet lag from his recent travels overseas for his disastrous debate performance against Republican rival Donald Trump.

"It's not an excuse, but an explanation," he said while addressing a fundraiser.

Biden said he "wasn't very smart" for "traveling around the world a couple times... shortly before the debate."

"I didn't listen to my staff," he said. "And then I almost fell asleep on stage."

Biden had flown to France, back to the United States, to Italy, among other travels, over a 14-day period before taking just a few days to rest at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He was dragging, according to several people who observed him during this period.

Joe Biden, who has always been gaffe-prone, appeared to struggle while responding to former US President Donald Trump's charges during the debate.

A bombastic Trump lashed out at his successor, calling him a failure on the economy and the world stage. Biden looked to hit back, but his delivery was hesitant as he spoke rapidly in a soft, trailing-off voice and stumbled on his words several times.

It was the first debate ever between a president and former president -- and each accused each other of being history's worst.

The 81-year-old's fumbling, halting performance has sparked calls from Democrats for him to end his quest for a second term and for "soul-searching".

Biden's remarks could invite even more scrutiny over whether the 81-year-old is fit for rigorous traveling, packed schedule.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre today admitted the debate was "a bad night" but added that Biden "knows how to come back" from adversity.

Responding to the criticism, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said people around the world were looking at what Biden has done since coming into office, not just one night, and that they appreciate his policies.

In an important development, Justice Athar Minallah of the Supreme Court has added an additional note to the case concerning reserved seats, highlighting serious concerns over the transparency of the general elections.

The note calls attention to the arguments presented by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which have raised substantial questions about the fairness of the electoral process.

Justice Minallah’s note points out that a major political party was disqualified based on a misinterpretation of the Supreme Court’s decision, effectively excluding it from the electoral process and depriving voters of their fundamental rights.

The note emphasizes that the Supreme Court’s original decision was not intended to disqualify any party, suggesting that the misinterpretation has had unintended and far-reaching consequences.

This misinterpretation potentially disenfranchised voters by denying them the chance to vote for their preferred candidate from the disqualified party. Justice Minallah further stressed the importance of ensuring a level playing field for all political parties during elections.

The judge further remarked that the Commission’s counsel raised important issues related to fundamental human rights during their arguments. These concerns highlight the need for a transparent and equitable electoral process.

Justice Minallah has urged the electoral watchdog to submit records of complaints related to the provision of a level playing field.

Furthermore, the note suggests that the court should also consider the concerns of alleged election rigging within the context of the reserved seats case. This expands the scope of the case to potentially address broader issues related to the fairness of the entire electoral process.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan talking to the media after the ceremony said the basis of the U.S Congress resolution was the shutdown of the Internet service — which occasionally remained closed on Eid(s), Muharram also due to security reasons.

He acknowledged that there may have been reservations about the general Elections 2024 of Pakistan but in reality, only 26 petitions were filed against the elections.

“The election is our internal matter and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) will comment on it,” he said.

Malik Ahmed alleged that the PTI founder had been hiring a lobbying firm in the past and claimed PTI-backed Congress members raise such issues.

“Billions of dollars are spent on lobbying in America,” Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said while talking to media persons after a conference held at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU).  

As the 2024 Indian general elections conclude, it is time to recognize those who challenged and exposed the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on digital platforms. Several prominent journalists and social media personalities played a crucial role in debunking the Modi government's claims and exposing the BJP's falsehoods, as opposed to many Indian media outlets peddling official versions — often labeled as 'godi media'.

These voices are significant in shaping public opinion and providing alternative perspectives, potentially influencing voter behavior in the pre-poll by holding the government accountable and scrutinizing its record.

Ravish Kumar

An award-winning journalist known for his critical stance on the Modi government, Kumar's investigative reporting and incisive commentary have highlighted issues like unemployment, communal violence, and governmental accountability. Ravish Kumar lost his job at New Dehl TV and later launched his own YouTube channel. 

The Deshbhakt

Led by Akash Banerjee, this satirical YouTube channel uses humor and analysis to critique the Modi administration. The Deshbhakt simplifies complex political issues, making them accessible and engaging for the younger audience.

Dhruv Rathee

A popular YouTuber and social media influencer, Rathee focuses on fact-checking and debunking misinformation. His videos dissect government policies, economic claims, and political rhetoric, providing a counter-narrative to the BJP's messaging.

Muhammad Zubair 

Mohammed Zubair is an Indian journalist, fact-checker and the co-founder of Alt News, an Indian non-profit fact-checking website. In 2022, Zubair was arrested by Delhi Police over a 2018 tweet. He has been a prominent critical voice of Modi.  

 

 

 

 

 

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Read more:

Who is Dhruv Rathee? From YouTuber to political influencer

Prominent candidates of India Elections 2024

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee reacts to India's 2024 election results

Arfa Khanum Sherwani

A senior editor at The Wire, she frequently writes and speaks on issues related to democracy, secularism, and human rights, often critiquing the Modi government’s policies.

Sagarika Ghose

A senior journalist and author, Ghose is known for her sharp criticism of the Modi government. She writes columns for various newspapers and websites. 

Senior journalist Sagarika Ghose said whatever the results Narendra Modi and the BJP India have lost the narrative in the General Elections 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

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Neha Singh Rathore

Neha Singh Rathore is an Indian folk singer and political satirist with anti BJP stance who sings and composes songs in the Bhojpuri language.

She is known for songs with a focus on political and social issues. Her songs "Bihar Mein Ka Ba" (2020), "UP Mein Ka Ba?" (2022), "UP Mein Ka Ba? Session-2" (2023), and "MP Mein Ka Ba?" (2023) have been popular on social media.

Kunal Kamra 

Kunal Kamra is an Indian standup comedian known for his observational comedy and he has been one of the main voices on Indian-based digital platforms to speak against PM Modi. Kunal Kamra used comedy as a medium to expose lies and twisted truths of the BJP government.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on track for a third consecutive term, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leading in 292 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats.

However, the margin is narrower than expected by exit polls. The opposition INDIA alliance put up a strong fight and is ahead with 233 seats, falling just 39 short of the majority needed to form the government. 

Dhruv Rathee, a YouTuber who gained attention for his videos encouraging voter participation, praised the outcome as a victory for the common man. Rathee wrote on Twitter, "Never underestimate the power of a common man."

Never underestimate the power of a common man ✊

— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) June 4, 2024

During the elections, his channel garnered significant attention due to its critical assessments of government policies and societal concerns.

According to exit polls, the Congress party achieved significant gains, securing 99 seats, a substantial increase from the 52 it won in the 2019 elections.

The election results shook investors, resulting in a significant decline in stock markets. The emerging outcomes suggested that, for the first time since his victory in 2014, PM Modi would require the support of at least three regional parties, renowned for their varying political affiliations.

India’s Narendra Modi-led BJP may not get the two-third majority contrary to the claims and the exit polls survey results. Indians handed the 73-year-old Modi a chance to lead the country for another five years but likely robbed his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party of its absolute majority, and him of a strong grip over the world's fifth-largest economy.

Here are the results of the star or prominent candidates of the Indian Elections 2024:

BJP Amit Shah won in Gandhinagar seat in Gujrat

PM Narendra Modi won his seat from Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh

Congress Rahul Gandhi won on both seats from Wayanad in Kerala and Rae Bareli Gandhi

Akhilesh Yadab won from Kannauj seat of Uttar Pradesh.

Congress leader Sashi Tharoor won from Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat in Kerala.

Former TV star turned politician Smriti Irani lost in Amethi seat in Uttar Pradesh.

Nitin Jairam Gadkari won in the Nagpur seat in Maharashtra.

Film actor turned politician Raj Babbar lost in Gurgaon seat in Haryana.

Dimple Yadav won in Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh

Manooj Tiwari won in North East Delhi in NCT of Delhi

Hema Malini won in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh

Mehmooba Mufti lost Anantrag in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir

Sambit Patra won Puri in Odisha

Kanhaiya Kumar won North East Delhi NCT of Delhi

Raj Nath Singh won in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh

Pathan Yusuf won in Baharampur constituency in West Bengal

Ravi Kishan won in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh

Arun Govil won in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh

Asaduddin Owaisi won in Hyderabad in Telangana

Charanjit Sindh Channi won from Jalandhar seats in Indian Punjab

Deepender Singh Hooda won in Rohtak in Haryana

Kangana Ranaut won Mandi in Himachal Pradesh

Mahua Moitra leads in Krishanangar in West Bengal

Manohar Lal won in Karnal in Haryana

Shatrughan Sinha won from Anasol in West Bengal  

The Congress general secretary said PM Modi must take the moral responsibility for the BJP's potential loss of seats.

In a strong reaction to surprising Lok Sabha election results, the Congress on Tuesday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reaction.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote that the better-than-expected performance of the INDIA bloc was a sign that it was the time for Narendra Modi to become former prime minister.

The Congress general secretary said PM Modi must take the moral responsibility for the BJP's potential loss of seats and resign his post.

"He used to pretend that he was extraordinary. Now it has been proved that the outgoing Prime Minister is going to become former. Take moral responsibility and resign. This is the message of this election," Jairam Ramesh posted on X.

Per the Election Commission of India's data, BJP was ahead in 236 seats. The majority mark in the Lok Sabha is 272.

Congress was leading in 99 seats, Samajwadi Party in 37 seats and the Trinamool Congress in 31 seats.

Per the EC data and TV reports, the INDIA bloc is expected to win over 200 seats.

PM Modi, after trailing for a while, is leading in Varanasi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing a third straight term in power. The party had set an ambitious target of 400 Lok Sabha seats ahead of the polls.

The exit polls espoused an optimistic outlook to BJP's chances of achieving its seats goal.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alliance raced to a majority in early vote counting trends in the general election on Tuesday, but the numbers were well short of the landslide predicted in exit polls, TV channels showed.

The early see-saw trends spooked markets with stocks falling steeply. The blue-chip NIFTY 50 was down 4.4% and the S&P BSE Sensex was down 4.2% at 0600 GMT.

The rupee also fell sharply against the dollar and benchmark bond yields were up.

The markets had soared on Monday after exit polls on June 1 projected Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would register a big victory, with its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) seen getting a two-thirds majority and more.

At 0600 GMT, TV channels showed the NDA was ahead in nearly 300 of the 543 elective seats in parliament, where 272 is a simple majority, in early counting. The opposition INDIA alliance led by Rahul Gandhi's centrist Congress party was leading in over 220 seats, higher than expected.

TV channels showed BJP accounted for nearly 250 of the seats in which the NDA was leading, short of a majority on its own, compared to the 303 it won in 2019.

A third Modi term with a slim majority for BJP - or having to depend on NDA allies for a majority - could introduce some uncertainty into governance as Modi has ruled with an authoritative hold over the government in the last decade. 

Also Read: Allegations of voter suppression in India’s election

However, politicians and analysts said it was too early to get a firm idea of the voting trends since a majority of ballots were yet to be counted.

"It's a fair assessment to say 400 at the moment certainly looks distant," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli told the India Today TV channel, referring to some projections that gave 400 seats to the NDA.

"But we need to wait...to have a final picture of the seats because the exit polls speak of a massive sweep, (and) the counting trends currently don't seem to match that," he said.

"The BJP-NDA will form the government, that trend is very clear from the start," he added.

TV exit polls broadcast after voting ended on June 1 projected a big win for Modi, but exit polls have often got election outcomes wrong in India. Nearly one billion people were registered to vote, of which 642 million turned out.

However, if Modi's victory is confirmed even by a slim margin, his BJP will have triumphed in a vitriolic campaign in which parties accused each other of religious bias and of posing a threat to sections of the population.

Some panic in markets

Investors had cheered the prospects of another Modi term, expecting it to deliver further years of strong economic growth and pro-business reforms, while the anticipated two-thirds majority in parliament would allow major changes to the constitution.

"The sharp drop in Nifty is because the results, although (in) early trends, present a picture that is a lot different from what the exit polls had shown," said Siddhartha Khemka, head of retail research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services in Mumbai.

"This is what has led to some panic, some concern. These trends are early trends, to be honest. The market does not want a hung parliament or a coalition government, where you will have a lot of delays in decision making," he said.

The seven-phase, seven-week poll that began on April 19 was held in searing summer heat with temperatures touching nearly 50° Celsius (122° Fahrenheit) in some parts. 

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal accuses Modi govt of election rigging

More than 66% of registered voters turned out, just one percentage point lower than the previous election in 2019, squashing pre-poll concerns that voters might shun a contest thought to be a foregone conclusion in Modi's favour.

Modi, 73, who first swept to power in 2014 by promising growth and change, is seeking to be only the second prime minister after India's independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru to win three straight terms.

He began his campaign by showcasing his record in office including economic growth, welfare policies, national pride, Hindu nationalism and his own personal commitment to fulfilling promises which he called "Modi's Guarantee".

However, he changed tack after low voter turnout in the first phase and accused the opposition, especially the Congress party, which leads an alliance of two dozen groups, of favouring India's 200 million Muslims - a shift analysts said made the campaign coarse and divisive.

They said the pivot may have been aimed at firing up the Hindu nationalist base of Modi's BJP to draw them to vote. Modi defended himself against criticism that he was stoking divisions between Hindus and Muslims to win votes and said that he was only faulting the opposition campaign.

The opposition INDIA alliance denied it favoured Muslims in the Hindu-majority country and said Modi would destroy the constitution if he returned to power and end affirmative action enjoyed by the so-called backward castes. The BJP rejects this.

642 million voters, including 312 million women, participated in the Lok Sabha elections — general elections 2024, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Monday.

Addressing a press briefing, he said over 68,000 monitoring teams and 15 million polling and security personnel were involved in the world's largest electoral exercise.

How many women voted in India elections?

"India created a world record with 64.2 crore voters, including 31.2 crore women, participating in the Lok Sabha elections this year," said Kumar claimed.

“642 million voters chose action over apathy, belief over cynicism and in some cases, the ballot over the bullet. We thank each and every one who took part in this festival of democracy.” Says CEC Rajiv Kumar

Complaints

Over 90 per cent of 495 complaints of Model Code of Conduct violations disposed during 2024 general elections: CEC Rajiv Kumar.

India Elections 2024 results

Entire counting process is absolutely robust: CEC Rajiv Kumar on counting of votes of 2024 general elections on June 4.

There should be no doubt on the process. Lakhs of people including counting officials, counting agents, micro-observers, ROs/AROs, Observers present during the world's largest counting exercise.

System of Indian polls is such that it allows for post-election scrutiny: CEC Rajiv Kumar

All issues raised by multi-party delegations have been addressed: CEC Rajiv Kumar.

Talking about the MCC violations, CEC said that EC issued notices to top leaders and FIRs and filed against many and top officials transferred to sanitise poll process. All development work used to stop during MCC, EC gave permission within 48 hours of applications in 95-98 per cent projects, he added.

This is one of the General Elections where we have not seen violence. This required two years of preparation, said CEC Rajiv Kumar

Voters’ turnout

“We have created a world record of 642 million proud Indian voters. This is a historic moment for all of us. This is just to give you some small statistics. This is 1.5 times of the voters of all G7 countries - US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada.. all put together. We are comparing voters and not electors and it is 2.5 times of the voters of 27 counties in the EU. That has been the incredible power of the voters of India. There are 312 million proud women voters. This is also the highest ever in the world. It is larger than the 2019 elections.. both the total and the women voters. We must cherish this,” CEC Kumar said.

At least 54 polling personnel, including security guards and sanitation staff, succumbed to heatstroke on the final day of voting in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, amid a severe heatwave that has gripped large parts of the country.

Navdeep Rinwa, the state's chief electoral officer, confirmed the deaths, adding that a monetary compensation of 1.5 million rupees ($18,000) would be provided to the families of the deceased.

The deadly incident underscores the brutal impact of the ongoing heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in many regions. Jhansi city recorded a scorching 46.9 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday, while the heat index in Ballia city reportedly reached a staggering 61 degrees Celsius.

The intense heatwave has also resulted in multiple fatalities nationwide, with the Hindustan Times reporting a total of 58 heat-related deaths on Saturday alone.

Apart from Uttar Pradesh, the states of Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh also reported numerous deaths due to heat exposure. Bihar saw at least 10 election-related deaths, while Odisha recorded nine deaths on Saturday, pushing the two-day death toll to 54. Experts warn that extreme heat exposure can lead to dehydration, thickening of the blood, and subsequent organ failures.

India is no stranger to extreme summer temperatures, but climate change has exacerbated the situation, making heatwaves more frequent, intense, and prolonged. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been issuing warnings, but the toll continues to rise as millions endure the scorching conditions.

Despite the grim toll, the nation is focused on the outcome of the recently concluded elections. Exit polls suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to secure a third consecutive term, with his party expected to win a strong majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. Nearly a billion Indians were registered to vote in the extensive seven-phase elections that spanned six weeks and concluded on Saturday.

Votes will be counted on Tuesday, with final results anticipated by the end of the day. As the nation awaits the election results, the tragic deaths of polling personnel highlight the severe challenges posed by the relentless heatwave.

As India prepares for another round of elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again leveraging the majoritarian sentiments that secured his landslide victory in 2019. His agenda, characterised by the enforcement of controversial policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, underscores his vision of transforming India into a Hindutva state. This law, which expedites citizenship for persecuted religious minorities except Muslims, exemplifies Modi's strategy of marginalizing specific groups to consolidate power.

In December, the Indian Supreme Court capitulated to Modi's controversial decision to revoke Kashmir's special status, a move that has been widely criticized as undermining the region’s autonomy and stoking tensions. Additionally, Modi’s inauguration of the Ram temple on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid in Ayodhya further inflamed communal sentiments. These actions, coupled with the suppression of dissent and the Indian media's role as a propagandist for ultranationalist narratives, paint a grim picture of India's democratic landscape under Modi.

Cult of Modi

Despite his divisive policies, many Indians are convinced that Modi is not only a champion of Hindu nationalism but also a leader propelling the nation to global prominence. Under his leadership, India achieved the milestone of being the first country to successfully land a spacecraft on the south pole of the moon. Modi is also credited with transforming India into an economic powerhouse capable of competing with the world's most powerful nations.

However, Modi's tenure is marred by his problematic role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, his ongoing persecution of religious minorities, and his assault on freedom of expression. Yet, these issues have not hindered his rise; instead, he has built a formidable cult of personality likely to secure him a third consecutive term in power.

Modi's policies have attracted significant foreign direct investment and spurred impressive economic growth. However, this growth has come with stark inequalities and the dispossession of marginalized communities, particularly the Adivasis. Modi’s close ties with big business, both domestically and internationally, have been instrumental in this economic transformation, but at a considerable social cost.

Recent judicial rulings banning the issuance of election bonds, which allowed anonymous donations to political parties, might curtail Modi’s ability to fund lavish campaigns. The order to disclose the list of donors who have purchased these bonds since their introduction in 2017 could stir controversy, especially given that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the largest beneficiary. Despite this potential setback, Modi’s prospects remain strong, thanks to his expansion of the voter base through government-financed social welfare schemes, even in the face of farmer protests against the liberalization of agricultural policies.

Modi's global image

Modi's carefully cultivated image as a tea-seller's son who rose to lead the "largest democracy in the world" has resonated both domestically and internationally. Despite previously being barred from entering the United States due to his role in the Gujarat massacre, Modi has since received red-carpet welcomes in Washington, D.C., under the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. India's strategic importance as a counterbalance to China has ensured Western endorsement of Modi's leadership, bolstering his image at home.

Post-colonial India has experienced authoritarian tendencies before, notably under Nehru and Indira Gandhi during the Emergency. However, Modi has taken these tendencies to new heights, distorting Indian polity into an illiberal form of democracy. Elections are held regularly, but the essence of democracy is undermined by a populist strongman advocating majoritarian rule. 

A recent Pew survey revealed that 85% of Indian respondents support the idea of military rule or an authoritarian leader, a troubling statistic for a country that prides itself on being the world's largest democracy. This shift in public sentiment reflects the profound impact of Modi’s leadership style on Indian democracy.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 is perhaps the most controversial piece of legislation under Modi's regime. The CAA offers a pathway to citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, effectively institutionalizing discrimination against Muslims. This law has sparked nationwide protests and international condemnation, highlighting the deepening religious divide in India.

The Kashmir conundrum

Modi's revocation of Kashmir's special status in August 2019 was a bold and contentious move aimed at integrating the region more fully into India. However, this decision has been criticized for exacerbating tensions in an already volatile area. The subsequent crackdown on dissent, communications blackout, and detentions of political leaders have drawn sharp rebukes from human rights organizations and international observers.

The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid, is a significant milestone for Modi's Hindutva agenda. This act symbolizes the assertion of Hindu dominance and has been a long-standing demand of the BJP's core support base. While this move has bolstered Modi’s popularity among Hindu nationalists, it has also deepened religious divisions and sparked fears of further marginalization of Muslims.

Under Modi, the Indian media has increasingly become a tool for propagating ultranationalist narratives. Reliant on state advertisements, many media outlets have abandoned critical journalism in favor of promoting government policies. This has stifled dissent and created an environment where voices of opposition are either silenced or sidelined. The suppression of journalists and activists who challenge the government has raised serious concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms in India.

Modi's economic policies have focused on liberalization and attracting foreign investment. While these measures have driven economic growth, they have also led to significant social upheaval. The liberalization of agricultural policies, for instance, sparked massive protests from farmers who feared losing their livelihoods. The disparity between urban and rural development has widened, and marginalized communities have borne the brunt of this economic transformation.

Social welfare schemes

Despite the controversies, Modi has expanded his voter base through various social welfare schemes. Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (housing for all) and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) have garnered support, particularly in rural areas. These schemes, often heavily publicized, serve to reinforce Modi's image as a leader who cares for the common man, even as broader economic policies favor the wealthy.

Internationally, Modi has leveraged India's strategic position to gain favor with Western powers. The United States and Europe view India as a crucial ally in countering China's influence in Asia. This geopolitical dynamic has led to a pragmatic acceptance of Modi's leadership, despite his controversial domestic policies. The Western endorsement has further strengthened Modi's standing at home, presenting him as a leader who commands global respect.

India stands at a crossroads. Under Modi, the country has experienced significant economic growth and increased its global standing. However, these achievements come with the cost of deepening social divides, erosion of democratic norms, and rising authoritarianism. As Modi seeks a third term, the question remains whether Indian democracy can withstand the pressures of majoritarian rule and whether the voices of dissent will find a place in the country's political landscape.

The triumph of Moditva represents a profound transformation of Indian democracy, where the appeal of a populist strongman has overshadowed the principles of inclusive governance. The path ahead for India is fraught with challenges, and the nation's ability to navigate these will determine its future as a truly democratic society.

Former prime minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, 91, appealed to Punjab voters before voting Saturday in the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha election - to make the most of a "final chance to ensure our democracy and Constitution are protected from repeated assaults by a despotic regime".

In a three-page open letter, the veteran Congress leader lamented the "unimaginable turmoil" in the Indian economy over the past decade - the two terms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

He said the Modi government left no stone unturned in castigating Punjabis.

Dr Singh - who was Finance Minister when Indian economy was liberalised in 1991.

"The imposition of the demonetisation disaster, a flawed GST (goods and service tax), and the painful mismanagement during the COVID pandemic has resulted in a miserable situation, where an expectation of subpar six to seven percent GDP growth has become the new normal.

"Average GDP growth under BJP government has plunged to under six per cent... during Congress-UPA tenure it was about eight per cent (New Series). Unprecedented unemployment and unbridled inflation have greatly widened inequality, which is now at a 100-year high," the former PM said.

On Farmers' Protest

Referring to farmers' protests that still haunt the centre - four years after a nationwide agitation by lakhs of agriculturists made headlines worldwide, and forced the BJP to roll back three controversial laws - he reproached the government for having "left no stone unturned in castigating Punjabis".

"As if the lathis and rubber bullets were not enough, the Prime Minister verbally assaulted our farmers by calling them 'parasites' on the floor of the Parliament," he said.

"Modiji had promised to double the income of our farmers by 2022 (but) his policies in the past 10 years have eroded the earnings... the national average monthly income of farmers is a meager ₹ 27 per day, while average debt per farmer is ₹ 27,000 (from government data)," Dr Singh said.

The following are some of the main issues British electors are expected to consider as they cast their ballots:

ECONOMY

More than two years of high inflation hit voters' living standards hard and although wages are now growing faster than prices, living standards are set to be lower when Britain elects a new parliament than at the time of the last election in 2019.

HEALTH

Most British voters treasure the publicly-funded National Health Service, but feel it is failing to meet their needs.

IMMIGRATION

Immigration has played a central role in British politics for more than a decade. Polling in February by Ipsos showed 37% of voters named it as an issue that would be very important in deciding how they vote - the fourth most-chosen response.

CLIMATE

Britain has set itself a target to reach net zero by 2050 and the government is legally bound to have a credible plan to do so.

Amid the recent Lok Sabha elections, superstar Shah Rukh Khan took to the public to encourage people to have their fingers inked and fully embrace the celebration of democracy. 

SRK commented on X “As responsible Indian citizens we must exercise our right to vote in Maharashtra. Let’s carry out our duty as Indians and vote keeping our country’s best interests in mind. Go forth Promote, our right to Vote.”

With Phase 5 of the Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections planned on May 20, SRK's message would undoubtedly serve as a reminder to his followers. 

Many of SRK's followers tweeted his speech from the hit movie "Jawan" in response to his remark regarding voting. 

In the movie, Shah Rukh Khan gave a two-minute speech in which he discussed the significance of voting and the need to choose a candidate who is impartial toward caste, religion, or race. 

Throughout the speech, he encouraged listeners to question political candidates, “What they will do for you in the next 5 years?

If someone in the family falls ill, what will you do for their treatment? What will you do to get me a job?”

Salman Khan, a celebrity and close friend of Shah Rukh Khan, posted a special message on his Instagram page earlier on Friday urging people to use their right to vote in the current elections. 

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agreed Wednesday to participate in general election debates on June 27 and Sept. 10.

Presidential debate venue

A press release from CNN said the first, on June 27, would start at 9 p.m. ET and will be held in the news organization's studios in Atlanta.

Will the audience be allowed to listen debate?

"To ensure candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate, no audience will be present. Moderators for the debate and additional details will be announced at a later date," CNN said.

The agreement came just hours after Biden challenged Trump to two debates hosted in a television studio ahead of the November election — a departure from the traditional system that has been used.

Trump quickly responded to that challenge, saying he disagrees with Biden's call to not debate in front of a crowd, but accepting the proposed dates and indicating he, too, was eager to debate.

The public agreement follows private back-channel discussions about possible meetings. Officials with the Biden and Trump campaigns have had informal conversations on debates in recent weeks, focused on meetings that would not involve the commission, according to two sources familiar, as well as a Trump campaign official.

Later in the morning, Biden said on X that he had accepted an invitation from CNN to participate in the June 27 debate.

"Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place," Biden said.

Shortly after, a Trump aide said they agreed to the CNN debate in Atlanta — and the fact there will be no crowd for that first debate.

Biden and Trump later in the morning said they accepted an invitation by ABC News to participate in a second debate on Sept. 10.

“I’ve also received and accepted an invitation to a debate hosted by ABC on Tuesday, September 10th," Biden said on X. "Trump says he’ll arrange his own transportation. I’ll bring my plane, too. I plan on keeping it for another four years.”

"It is my great honor to accept the CNN Debate against Crooked Joe Biden, the WORST PRESIDENT in the History of the United States and a true Threat to Democracy, on June 27th," Trump said on Truth Social. "Likewise, I accept the ABC News Debate against Crooked Joe on September 10th. Thank you, DJT!"

The chief minister of the state of Chhattisgarh reported that Indian forces killed at least 12 Maoists in a gunfight in central India on Friday. This was the third significant encounter in as many weeks during the ongoing national elections, according to Reuters.

The rebels, who follow a form of communism propagated by the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting the government for decades in central and eastern India using a guerilla strategy, resulting in sporadic skirmishes and losses on both sides.

In Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, security forces killed twelve rebels, according to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

The conflict takes place on Friday over a month after the state saw the deaths of 29 Maoists and 10 others on April 30.

Maoists claim they are fighting for increased land ownership rights and a stronger claim to minerals that they claim are being exploited by large mining corporations for the benefit of impoverished Indian farmers and laborers without land.

On May 7, the state's general election's third phase concluded with voting for every seat. The date of the vote count is June 4.

During a campaign visit in Chhattisgarh last month, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah pledged to eradicate insurgency from the state in three years should Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) be re-elected. 

Regarding campaign funding, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sparred on Wednesday, with each accusing the other of receiving funds from wealthy billionaires Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, according to Reuters.

The business giants have not responded to requests for comment from their companies, and neither has publicly stated who, if anyone, they would support in the election. Neither candidate offered any proof to back up their statements.

Following weeks of elections where disagreements overgrowth, poverty, and unemployment are major issues, Modi's remarks aim to refute Gandhi's long-standing allegation about what he claims are Modi's ties to the country's two richest individuals.

However, Modi's shift in strategy may also be the reason for the increased rhetoric. 

 According to BJP insiders and political analysts who spoke to Reuters, a lower turnout so far in the six-week election has alarmed Modi's campaign managers and raised doubts about whether his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies can pull off the landslide that opinion surveys from a month ago had anticipated.

They claim that because of the lack of momentum, Modi changed the focus of his campaign speeches from emphasizing economic growth before the first round of voting to criticizing opponents for being pro-Muslim and using other strategies to incite the party's conservative base.

"For five years you abused Ambani-Adani and now suddenly you have stopped. Meaning, you have accepted truckloads of some illegal funds. You'll have to answer to the country about this," Modi said at an election rally.

CONGLOMERATES 

  A few hours later, Gandhi asked Modi whether he was "slightly scared" and advised him to send financial crime detectives out right away to conduct a thorough investigation.

"For the first time, you have spoken in public about Adani and Ambani. Is it your personal experience that you know they give money in trucks?" Gandhi said in a video message. "I want to repeat to the nation that the amount of money Modi has given to them, we are going to give the same amount to India's poor."

In response to Gandhi's comments, Modi's party did not reply right away. 

 The government disputes Gandhi's long-standing criticism of Modi, which has included claims that the business magnates Ambani and Adani benefit from him and that the gap between the rich and the poor has widened over his ten-year tenure.

In the past, Modi has dismissed claims that he is endorsing the monopolies of Adani and Ambani as "unfounded" and stated that they harm the Congress party. 

 Adani, the second-richest man in Asia, is the head of the power-to-ports conglomerate Adani Group, while Ambani, the richest man in Asia, is the chairman of the oil-to-media multinational Reliance Industries.

The two industrialists originate from Gujarat, the home state of Modi, and their companies have extensive operations there as well as in other Indian states, including those controlled by opposing parties, as well as abroad. 

 According to a recent report by the research firm World Inequality Lab, as of 2023, the wealthiest 1% of Indian people controlled 40.1% of the nation's total wealth, marking the highest level since 1961.

The seven-phase Indian election has a start date of April 19 and ends on June 1. Modi is contesting for an uncommon third term in a row.

In the coming general elections in November, US President Joe Biden and US President Donald Trump are expected to engage in a historic campaign.

In the survey, 49% of registered voters selected Trump, according to American media, while 55% of Americans thought that Trump would be a good president.

According to the report, current US President Joe Biden's rating decreased by two percentage points to 43%, while 61% of Americans believe that Biden is a failed president.

It should be noted that Donald Trump and Joe Biden won the presidential nomination stage of their respective parties. In the United States, the election between former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden will be held in November, and it is the first time in 70 years that two candidates will face each other in the US presidential election for the second time in a row.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued to criticize the Congress sharply on Wednesday, saying that the party "hates the country's constitution, hates identity of India" and is preparing to cut the quota of SCs, STs and OBCs and to implement reservations based on religion.

PM Modi stated that the Congress "wants to snatch your property" and that the party has a secret plan including "inheritance tax" while speaking at a rally in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh.

He said that by granting reservations based on religion, Congress was acting in violation of the Constitution.

"Today, such a truth of Congress has come out that stunned the countrymen. Our constitution prohibits reservation based on religion. BR Ambedkar himself was against this but Congress has taken a dangerous resolution and to complete this they are continuously trying to fool people and play their own game. Congress has given reservations in Andhra Pradesh based on religion in 2004. In their manifesto for the 2009 and 2014 elections, they have promised religion-based reservations... Congress is preparing to cut the quota of SC, ST and OBC and to implement reservations based on religion," he said.

In an attempt to criticize the Congress, PM Modi used the LIC slogan.

"'Congress ka mantra hai-Congress ki loot, jindagi ke sath bhi loot, jindagi ke baad bhi loot. Congress hates the country's Constitution. They hate the identity of India and hence they are working on all those projects that weaken the Country and its stature... The Congress who said lord Ram is an imaginative figure, has rejected the invitation of 'Pran Pratistha'," he alleged.

Congress, according to PM Modi, intends to tax the inheritance that parents leave behind.

"Congress has now made another revelation. Their hidden agenda has come out. Congress says that it will impose an Inheritance Tax...Congress says it will also impose a tax on the Inheritance received from parents. Congress will take away almost half of your property that you have accumulated through your hard work and want to give it to your children...Congress has no idea about India's family values," he alleged.

"Congress wants to snatch your property. They will do an x-ray as their leader is saying and will look at what is there in your locker and at home... Be it jewellery or the 'mangalsutra' of women, Congress will search for everything and then they will snatch it and redistribute it... If you have two homes, one in the city and the other in the village, Congress will take one. If you have two cars, they will take one, Congress has announced this. After snatching all these things from you, they want to give it to their 'vote bank'," he added.

Later on, Jairam Ramesh, the leader of the Congress, said that the term "redistribution" is absent from the Congress Nyay Patra.

He stated in a post on X that "it has, however, appeared before in the BJP's election manifestos."

He also denied the claim made by the Bharatiya Janata Party that the Congress wants to tax inheritances in the country.

He said "The Congress has no plan whatsoever to introduce an inheritance tax. Rajiv Gandhi abolished Estate Duty in 1985."

In the by-elections for PP-149 constituency, the unofficial results from the polling stations have been revealed, showcasing a land sliding victory for Shoaib Siddiqui of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).

With an impressive turnout, Siddiqui secured a total of 39,137 votes, positioning himself as the frontrunner in the race. Following closely behind, Zeeshan Rasheed of the Sunni Ittehad Council emerged as the second-place contender, garnering 23,665 votes.

The unofficial results indicate a clear win for Siddiqui, with a substantial lead of 15,472 votes over his closest competitor.

Despite being unconfirmed, these outcomes highlight the prevailing sentiments of the electorate in PP-149 and shed light on the evolving political landscape in the region.

By-elections were held in five constituencies of the National Assembly and 16 seats of three provincial assemblies. At some polling stations, a large number of voters were reported, while others painted a deserted look even a couple of hours into the polling process. 

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) top brass has voiced its contentment with the outcome of Sunday's by-elections.

Prominent PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah expressed his party's satisfaction with the voter turnout during the by-elections, highlighting a noticeable absence of PTI supporters at the polling stations.

Sanaullah underscored that while the PML-N has consistently accepted electoral results, it has also diligently raised objections through proper channels. In contrast, he criticised PTI's approach, accusing its founder, Imran Khan, of attempting to undermine the electoral process.

The seasoned politician emphasised that despite the traditionally low voter turnout in by-polls, the PML-N was gratified by the level of participation and the ongoing issuance of Form 45 from all polling stations.

Addressing potential concerns, Sanaullah asserted that any irregularities observed during the polling would be promptly addressed through formal complaints. Furthermore, he extended an olive branch to PTI, urging the party to collaborate with PML-N in identifying and rectifying flaws within the electoral system.

Reflecting on the broader political landscape, Sanaullah expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with other parties, including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), to resolve pertinent issues.

The PML-N's stance on the by-elections serves as a significant marker in Pakistan's political discourse, signalling both their commitment to democratic processes and their readiness to engage in constructive dialogue for the betterment of the nation.

Ata Tarar slams PTI's false narratives

Meanwhile, information Minister Attaullah Tarar celebrated what he deemed as a clear demonstration of the public's trust in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The minister highlighted the by-election results as a testament to the nation's confidence in the PML-N's leadership, asserting that the measures undertaken by the government are a direct reflection of the people's trust.

In a pointed critique, the Information Minister remarked on the conspicuous absence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) voters during the by-elections, insinuating a lack of support for the ruling party's agenda.

Moreover, the minister lambasted what he described as false statements emanating from prison, suggesting a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. He emphasised that the populace had unequivocally rejected PTI's assertions, condemning efforts to sow discord and tarnish the country's international reputation.

Addressing concerns of political conspiracies, the minister decried attempts to malign landlords and undermine the nation's stability from behind bars. He cautioned against narratives detrimental to Pakistan's interests and underscored the public's rejection of divisive politics rooted in lies and hatred.

In a nod to PML-N's performance, the minister praised Maryam Nawaz for her exemplary efforts in Punjab, highlighting the party's dominance in the by-elections.

Looking ahead, the Information Minister expressed optimism about the country's prospects, assuring the public that the government is committed to fulfilling their trust and restoring Pakistan's standing on the global stage.

In a major upset, former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed (PTI) Sunni Ittehad Council candidate Parvez Elahi, contesting from PP-32, faced defeat from Gujarat as Musa Elahi from the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) secured victory.

Musa Elahi emerged victorious with an impressive count of 63,536 votes, as per unofficial results.

In contrast, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi could only manage to secure 18,237 votes, according to the unofficial tally.

This outcome marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Gujarat, signaling a change in representation for the constituency.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and allied party Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) won a majority of the seats in the by-elections held in 21 constituencies, while PTI-SIC was not able to secure a single seat from Punjab.

As per the Form-47 issued by the ECP, out of the 21 seats, the PML-N won 12 seats, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Pakistan (IPP), Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidates one seat each, while one seat was clinched by an independent candidate as well. 

According to the schedule released by the Election Commission of Pakistan, by-elections were held in six National Assembly constituencies, 12 Punjab, and two each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Polling was held in NA-08 Bajaur, NA-44 Dera Ismael Khan-I, NA-119 Lahore-III, NA-132 Kasur-II, NA-196 Kamber Shahdadkot-I, and NA-207 Shaheed Benazirabad-I constituencies of the National Assembly.

Read more: By-elections: Polling ends for 21 seats of National, provincial assemblies amid clashes among voters

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly seats were PK-22 Bajaur-IV and PK-91 Kohat-II, while the Balochistan Assembly constituencies were PB-20 Khuzdar-III and PB-22 Lasbela. 

The elections were held in various Punjab Assembly constituencies, including PP-22 Chakwal-cum-Talagang, PP-32 Gujrat VI, PP-36 Wazirabad-II, PP-54 Narowal-I, PP-93 Bhakkar-V, PP-139 Sheikhpura-IV, PP-147 Lahore-III, PP-149 Lahore-V, PP-158 Lahore XIV, PP-164 Lahore-XX, PP-266 Rahim Yar Khan-XII, and PP-290 Dera Ghazi Khan-V.

Another video purportedly showing alleged rigging has surfaced in Wazirabad as polling ended in the PP-36 constituency. The video allegedly depicts irregularities in the polling process.

Police have detained the presiding officer implicated in the video for further investigation. The footage raises questions about how the ballot papers were revealed before polling ended. 

وزیر آباد PP 36 میں بھی دھاندلہ عروج پر

پیر کوٹ پولنگ سٹیشن پر پریذیڈنٹ آفسیر کی جیب سے بھاری تعداد میں سٹیمپ شدہ بیلٹ پیپرز برآمد ہوئے ہیں@PTIofficial pic.twitter.com/YbLJcNuufR

— Ahmad Hassan Bobak (@ahmad_bobak) April 21, 2024

The Sunni Ittehad Council has voiced concerns over the incident, questioning how the ballot papers were exposed before polling ended. Additionally, the party has alleged that votes were recovered from the possession of the presiding officer. 

The police have said that an inquiry into the matter has been initiated, with active investigation into the allegations of electoral misconduct. 

Meanwhile, the election commission took notice of the incident in Narowal's Zafarwal area. In a statement, it said that on the instructions of the chief election commissioner, a formal investigation will be conducted into the incident outside Narowal's Zafarwal polling station.

It said the Gujranwala regional election commissioner has been appointed as the inquiry officer for the investigation. The inquiry officer will conduct an inquiry on the spot and submit a detailed report, it added. 

The by-elections in PB-50 constituency of Qila Abdullah of Balochistan have been marred by violence and disruptions, with armed men storming a polling station in the Majak area and firing indiscriminately, leading to the suspension of polling activities.

Reports from the area indicate that armed individuals entered a polling station in the Majak area carrying modern weapons and opening fire inside, causing chaos and panic among voters and election officials.

The incident forced authorities to halt the polling process to ensure the safety of all individuals present at the site.

Separately, Pashtunkhwa Mili Awami Party's Mirwais Achakzai has alleged that the staff of five polling stations was abducted last night, expressing fears that similar incidents may have occurred at other polling stations also. He further claimed that the accused might have taken away crucial election materials, including ballot papers, also.

Efforts to address these serious issues are underway, with Achakzai calling for the recovery of the abducted election staff and provision of adequate protection to them. The chief election commissioner and relevant authorities have been apprised of the situation, he said further. 

The re-polling was ordered in this constituency following concerns over irregularities in the previous general election of February 8. The re-polling pits Mirwais Khan of the Pashtunkhwa Mili Awami Party against ANP's Zamarak Khan Achakzai.

According to the district returning officer (DRO), a total of 125 polling stations have been established, with 74 of them identified as highly sensitive. 

The largest election in history is being held in India, which on Monday will repeat voting at 11 polling places in the northeastern state of Manipur due to reports of violence and voting machine damage in the state torn by months of ethnic conflict, according to Reuters.

The chief electoral officer of Manipur said in a statement late on Saturday that the election officials had deemed the polling at the 11 places invalid and had ordered a new election.

In the nation with the largest population in the world, voting for the election that runs until June 1 began on Friday for about a billion voters. It is anticipated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get a rare third term due to factors including economic expansion, social welfare, and Hindu nationalism.

Alleging that voting booths were taken over and elections were manipulated, the major opposition Congress party had called for a repeat at 47 polling places in Manipur.

Friday saw scattered violent incidents around the state, including armed groups attempted takeovers of well-guarded polling places. A sizable turnout of voters cast ballots, even though there was a risk of violence, which has killed at least 220 people in the last year. 

Since May, violence between the Kuki-Zo tribe and the Meitei majority started in Manipur. It is still split among a Meiteis-controlled valley and Kuki-dominated hills, with a no-man's land area in between under surveillance by federal paramilitary troops.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan expressed optimism on Sunday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will clinch a "big" victory over NA-132 Kasur in the by-elections.

Expressing his thoughts after exercising his right to vote in NA-132, Khan said: "The PML-N will emerge victorious from this constituency comprehensively."

This seat was vacated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who won all the seats he contested in the general elections.

PML-N leader Malik Rasheed was contesting against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidate Sardar Muhammad Hussain Dogar. 

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Rashid Minhas today expressed optimism about his victory from PP-164 in the by-elections.

Polling is currently underway for the by-elections in various constituencies of the country, while in Lahore's PP-164, the PML-N's Rashid Minhas and Sunni Ittehad Council's Yousuf Mayo are locked in a spirited contest.

The atmosphere at the polling stations in the area is charged with excitement as supporters of both candidates express confidence in their respective victories.

In a display of sportsmanship, both contestants, Minhas and Mayo, greeted and embraced each other and claimed victory for their parties.

Minhas lauded the excitement and fervour of the voters and hoped the PML-N would win. Supporters of both parties also engaged in a sloganeering match in front of each other. 

The enthusiasm of the voters in the constituency is palpable, with women voters also turning out in significant numbers despite the scorching heat. Many women emphasized the importance of casting their votes for the development and prosperity of the country. 

Over in PP-147 of Lahore, the elderly voters, too, are actively participating in the by-elections, underscoring the significance of exercising their democratic right. However, an elderly woman raised a concern regarding her vote being shifted. 

"It is important to cast the vote for the sake of the country," an elderly voter said. 

Another remarked that inflation had caused a lot of worries among voters, and hoped the prime minister would provide relief.

This sentiment underscores the broader concerns regarding economic stability and livelihoods, which remain key considerations for voters in this election.

As the polling process continues, all eyes are on the final results, which will not only determine the fate of the candidates but also reflect the aspirations and concerns of the electorate.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Salman Akram Raja said on Sunday that his party will continue to struggle for democracy.

Speaking to media in NA-119 Lahore, Raja said: "The purpose of shutting down the internet services is to halt the process of sending Form-45 to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)."

"We will monitor the situation today in connection with the by-elections and apprise the masses of the situation," he said.

"The masses will take the final decision if they are deceived," Raja stated.
 

In response to the world's issues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Sunday that India is promoting its cultural image and the principles of truth and non-violence with confidence.

Aiming for the former UPA regime, PM Modi remarked during the 2,550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav that his administration prioritized historical preservation in addition to material development when it came to office in 2014.

About the Lok Sabha elections, he stated that "the nation believes from here a new journey into future will also begin" and that "a big festival of democracy is happening."

He said that the country's younger generation today feels that self-pride is its identity, citing the government's promotion of Indian cultural practices like yoga and Ayurveda.

According to him, the nation is now confidently projecting the values of truth and non-violence around the world as a means of resolving issues that confront humanity.

The world looks to India for a path to peace because of its developing might and foreign policy, but PM Modi also stated that India's cultural reputation has been a major factor.

The teachings of the esteemed Jain gurus, known as tirthankars, are especially relevant in light of current international tensions, he said.

In addition, the prime minister advised the audience to cast their votes as early in the day as possible. On a lighter note, Modi mentioned that saints are associated with the lotus, a flower that is both the BJP's election emblem and is frequently used in religious ceremonies.

Modi stated that the nation is working to make its centennial year of freedom a "golden centenary" and that the event is a unique occasion taking place at the start of "Amrit Kaal."

The concept of 'Amrit Kaal', he claimed, is not only a commitment but India's spiritual inspiration.

He remarked that India is not only the oldest civilization still in existence, but it is also a haven for humanity"Bhagwan Mahavir's message of peace, compassion, and brotherhood is a source of great inspiration for everyone," the prime minister said.

The process of re-polling is underway in the PB-50 constituency of Balochistan's Qila Abdullah, with voters set to cast their ballots till 5pm.

With strict security arrangements in place by police and Levies officials, authorities are aiming to ensure a peaceful electoral process despite the challenges posed by mobile and internet connectivity issues and a highly contested race between two prominent candidates.

The re-polling was ordered following concerns over irregularities in the previous general election of February 8. The re-polling pits Mirwais Khan of the Pashtunkhwa Mili Awami Party against ANP's Zamarak Khan Achakzai.

According to the district returning officer (DRO), a total of 125 polling stations have been established, with 74 of them identified as highly sensitive. 

On March 18, the Supreme Court had ordered a re-poll in the constituency. A three-judge bench had set aside the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order for re-polling at only six polling stations of the constituency and ordered a fresh election as per the law.

The ECP’s decision was challenged by Zamarak Khan, pleading that the turnout at many polling stations in the constituency remained low during the February 8 general elections. 

The voters were facing hardship due to the suspension of mobile service in PP-266 Rahim Yar Khan on Sunday.

According to the details, the polling process was slow, and the women turnout has remained lower so far.

Meanwhile, there was a clash outside the polling station of PP-266, involving workers of two political parties.

During the workers' brawl, the car's windows were shattered, prompting police intervention.

The polling was temporarily halted due to the altercation. The police took the brawlers into custody for questioning.

Earlier, it was reported that mobile and internet services in 13 districts and tehsils of Punjab, including Lahore, Gujrat, Kasur, and Sheikhupura, would be suspended on Sunday to ensure the maintenance of law and order during the by-elections.

The Punjab Home Department has forwarded a formal letter to the Ministry of Interior, urging the suspension of mobile phone and internet services on the day of the by-elections. 

The Lahore police has arrested former MPA of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Chaudhry Shabbir Gujjar, on grounds of suspected disturbance of peace and nomination in various cases.

A couple of days ago, Gujjar was seen campaigning for the PTI candidate in PP-164 constituency of Lahore where 20 candidates, including PML-N's Rashid Minhas and PTI's Muhammad Yousuf backed by Sunni Ittehad Council, are gearing up for a tight electoral battle. 

تمام تر رکاوٹوں کے باوجود چوہدری شبیر گجر صاحب جلسہ گاہ میں پہنچ گئے انشا اللہ پی پی 164 سے پاکستان تحریک انصاف بھاری اکثریت سے جیتے گی ✌🏻 pic.twitter.com/tsCzO5VWPx

— Ch Shabbir Gujjar - pp 162 (@ChShabbirguj) April 18, 2024

Gujjar's arrest comes amid reports of clashes in various cities of Punjab where one person has been reportedly killed, three injured and six arrested. 

A brawl broke out between workers of the PML-N and PTI workers in Zafarwal's constituency, PP-54, wherein a 60-year-old man was killed after a baton hit his head. 

Also Read: One killed, 3 injured in violent clashes at Lahore, Ferozewala, Zafarwal polling stations

In Lahore's NA-119 constituency, tensions flared between workers of the Sunni Ittehad Council and the PML-N at Polling Station No. 171 near the University of Engineering and Technology (UET). 

Meanwhile, in Ferozewala's PP-139 constituency, a confrontation between two groups outside the Government High School Nizampura turned violent, with gunfire being exchanged. Three people sustained injuries during the altercation. 

Polling for by-elections in 21 constituencies of the National and provincial assemblies across the country has commenced at the scheduled time of 8am and will culminate at 5pm. 

Also Read: By-elections: Polling kicks off for 21 seats of National, provincial assemblies

By-elections are being held in five constituencies of the National Assembly and 16 seats of three provincial assemblies. At some polling stations, a large number of presence of voters is being reported, while some paint a deserted look even a couple of hours into the polling process. 

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Rashid Minhas on Sunday expressed optimism about his victory from PP-164 in the by-elections.

According to details, Minhas was crossing swords with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidate Yousaf Meo. Minhas acknowledged the enthusiasm of the voters.

Interestingly, both leaders had embraced others and claimed to emerge victorious from the constituency.

Meanwhile, the party workers [PML-N and PTI-backed SIC] had chanted the slogans against each other.

The Punjab Police has announced robust security measures to ensure a peaceful and transparent voting process across the province on Sunday, including Lahore.

Out of the total 2,599 polling stations in Punjab, authorities have identified 419 as highly sensitive and 1,081 as sensitive, warranting heightened security measures. In response, more than 35,000 officers and officials, as well as female police personnel, have been deployed to oversee election security.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar has assured the public of the police force's readiness to uphold peace and safety during the electoral process. 

"The Punjab Police is ready for a peaceful, transparent and safe conduct of by-elections" he asserted, adding that security has been significantly increased across the province, including Lahore.

The IGP emphasized that the police force will provide full security coverage to voters, polling staff, and citizens. Additional personnel, including units such as the Dolphin Force and Quick Response Teams, have been strategically stationed at sensitive polling stations to preempt any untoward incidents. 

He also underscored the importance of adhering to the Election Commission of Pakistan's code of conduct. "We will ensure proper implementation of the ECP's code of conduct." 

He reminded the people that strict measures, including the enforcement of Section 144, were in place to deter any illegal activities such as the display of arms, aerial firing, fights, or sabotage of the electoral process.

With these comprehensive security arrangements in place, authorities are optimistic about conducting the by-elections in a peaceful, transparent, and safe manner, ensuring the integrity of the democratic process in Punjab.

The voters were looking to eat nihari before voting in the by-election from PP-147 on Sunday.

According to details, the people of the constituency were of the view that they will first eat breakfast and then exercise their right to vote.

Meanwhile, the people were making their way to the Nihari restaurant in Lohari Gate before engaging in the polling process.
 
In PP-147, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Malik Riaz was competing against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidate Muhammad Khan Madni. 

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Waseem Qadir casted his vote in the by-elections on Sunday.

According to details, the MNA exercised his right to vote at the Chamra Mandi School polling station in PP-147.

PML-N candidate Malik Riaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC)-candidate Muhammad Khan Madni were locking horns against each other.

Earlier, Qadir joined the PML-N after emerging victorious as an independent candidate from NA-121.

The development came after Qadir called on PML-N Chief Orgainser Maryam Nawaz – now Punjab CM – in February, following the general elections.

Qadir had clinched victory against PML-N stalwart Sheikh Rohail Asghar from NA-121.
 

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-backed Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Shoaib Siddiqui on Sunday asserted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was resorting to wicked tactics.

Speaking to media in Lahore, Siddiqui, a candidate from PP-149 asserted: "The PTI is foreseeing its defeat in the by-polls. That is why it [PTI] is embracing hooliganism."

Siddiqui said that he was having a "strong connection" with the people of his constituency.

"We will once again emerge victorious like before," Siddiqui said.

Siddiqui said: "The opposition has nothing to do with the exception of just causing an uproar of rigging."
 
 

Violence has marred the polling process in Lahore, Ferozewala and Zafarwal, as clashes erupted between rival political factions, resulting in the killing of one person and arrests and injuries to others.

A brawl broke out between workers of the PML-N and PTI workers in Zafarwal's constituency, PP-54, wherein a 60-year-old man was killed after a baton hit his head. As a result of the clashes, polling was briefly stopped at the Kot Naju polling station. 

A 60-year-old man, said to be a PML-N worker, injured during the dispute, died in the hospital during treatment. Rescue sources said Muhammad Yousaf was hit with a wooden stick on his head. 

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari expressed condolences over the death of a PML-N worker. She remarked that the PTI thugs had shown their thuggery as usual, adding that the Punjab Police should immediately arrest the killers of party activist Muhammad Yousuf. 

On the other hand, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal met with the family of the deceased PML-N worker and condoled over his death. "We will never tolerate the politics of bullying and violence," he declared, vowing that the culprits will be brought to justice soon. 

The election commission issued a statement on the incident, claiming the clash between workers of political parties took place 200 meters away from the Kot Naju polling station and the accused were arrested by the police. 

They said the polling process at Zafarwal's polling station No 33 Kot Naju was underway without interruption. "Workers of political parties should show patience and tolerance," said Punjab Election Commissioner Ijaz Anwar Chauhan.

Lahore

In Lahore's NA-119 constituency, tensions flared between workers of the Sunni Ittehad Council and the PML-N at Polling Station No. 171 near the University of Engineering and Technology (UET). The dispute reportedly centred around the set-up of a camp, escalating into a physical altercation. 

Police arrested PTI workers from NA 119 Punjab! No0ne will be able to say that this is free & fair election! pic.twitter.com/d3Z4CWx3Oc

— Qazi Asif (@QMAAsif) April 21, 2024

Police intervened and arrested four individuals in connection with the incident. A heavy contingent of police reached outside the polling station along with officials of Elite Force. "All workers should show patience for a peaceful election," SP Dr. Abdul Hanan said. 

Ferozewala

Meanwhile, in Ferozewala's PP-139 constituency, a confrontation between two groups outside the Government High School Nizampura turned violent, with gunfire being exchanged. Three people sustained injuries during the altercation.

Law enforcement authorities swiftly moved in, arresting two suspects and suspending the polling process at the affected polling station. However, later the polling process resumed after over three hours. 

Also Read: By-elections: Polling kicks off for 21 seats of National, provincial assemblies

Sadiqabad

Workers of two political parties engaged in a clash outside the Mohib Shah polling station in PP-266 of Sadiqabad. During the clash, the windowpanes of a car parked nearby were shattered.

Police said polling was stopped for some time due to the incident, and the clashing workers were arrested. 

Kasur

Supporters of the PML-N and Sunni Ittehad Council got into a physical brawl at polling station 311 in Khudian Khaas of NA-132 constituency here. The workers of both parties slapped each other for allegedly stopping women from casting their votes.

Police team reached the spot. 

Wazirabad

During polling in PP-36 of Wazirabad's 185 polling stations, three people were arrested by the police over fears of disturbance of peace.

As workers of the PML-N and PTI got into a clash in the Ahmednagar area, the polling process was stopped, and the gate of the polling station was closed by the police. The clash reportedly broke out after PTI workers accused the presiding officer of rigging. 

Alipur Chattha

A clash broke out at the Government Girls College Polling Station in Alipur Chattha, where workers and voters of the Sunni Ittehad Council got out of hand over voters being allowed to enter the polling station. The political workers attempted to forcefully open the gate of the polling station.

The clashes have raised concerns about the security and integrity of the electoral process in these areas. Both incidents have underscored the simmering tensions and rivalries that often characterize election days in the country.

Polling for by-elections in 21 constituencies of the National and provincial assemblies across the country was held from 8am to 5pm. 

By-elections have been being held in five constituencies of the National Assembly and 16 seats of three provincial assemblies. At some polling stations, a large number of presence of voters is being reported, while some paint a deserted look even a couple of hours into the polling process. 

Former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was locking horns against Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) candidate and nephew Musa Elahi from PP-32 Gujrat.

According to details, the seat fell vacant after Chaudhry Salik Hussain retained his National Assembly seat.

Last month, the PTI stalwart decided and announced to contest the by-polls.

The family members met Parvez Elahi in jail and signed the nomination papers for the by-election.

In an informal conversation with journalists at the FIA court, Elahi said: “Ban on meetings in Adiala Jail is unconstitutional. They cheated the people by putting PTI's mandate. The people are already crushed, their self-esteem is being further undermined,” former chief minister of Punjab and former speaker of the Punjab Assembly said.  

“Form-45 will become a trap for these fake rulers,” Parvez Elahi claimed.

Polling for by-elections in 21 constituencies of the National and provincial assemblies across the country has ended at 5pm with reports of clashes among voters of the two main parties, the PML-N and Sunni Ittehad Council, from various areas of Punjab.

The voting commenced at the scheduled time of 8am and culminated at 5pm. 

By-elections were held in five constituencies of the National Assembly and 16 seats of three provincial assemblies. At some polling stations, a large number of voters were reported, while others painted a deserted look even a couple of hours into the polling process. 

Polling in PK-91 Kohat was held at a very slow pace, while voters turned out in large numbers to polling stations in the PB-20 Khuzdar constituency of Balochistan. Both young and old people, men and women, could be seen standing in queues under the sun to cast their votes. 

In Kasur's NA-132 constituency, the turnout was reported to be low due to wheat harvesting. In the PP-266 constituency of Sadiqabad also, the polling process was slow, while the turnout of women voters has been negligible. Voters are reportedly facing difficulties due to mobile phone service suspension. 

With only two hours left in the voting process to end, the turnout of voters has been negligible in NA-44 of Dera Ismail Khan, showing people's disinterest in the by-elections. This seat was vacated by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. 

A similar trend has been witnessed in Gujrat's PP-32, where the polling process is reported to be slow owing to a lack of interest among the voters. Most of the polling stations are seen deserted, with no voters showing up. 

Moreover, the interprovincial link bridge, Dera Darya Khan, has been closed for traffic. The Punjab Police closed the road for all kinds of traffic by placing a container. Due to this, the voters from Bhakkar living in DI Khan are facing problems casting their ballots in the by-election in PP-93 of Bhakkar. 

National Assembly

NA-8 Bajaur: Election is being held in this constituency for the first time, as independent candidate, Rehan Zeb, was killed just a few days before the February 8 general elections. His brother Mubarak Zeb is vying for the seat as an independent candidate against Sunni Ittehad Council's Gul Zafar. 

Gul Dad Khan visiting PTI Camps in areas of NA8/PK22 Bajaur. pic.twitter.com/K5v60CxHIN

— PTI Politics Update (@PTI_Politics) April 21, 2024

NA-44 Dera Ismail Khan: This seat was vacated by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur when he retained his provincial assembly seat of PK-113. PPP's Khorsheed Kundi is up against independent candidate Faisal Amin, the KP chief minister's brother, for this seat.

NA-119 Lahore: This seat was vacated by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz when she retained her provincial assembly seat of PP-159. Nine candidates, including PML-N's Ali Pervez Malik and Sunni Ittehad Council's Shahzad Farooq, are vying for this seat.

NA-132 Kasur: This seat was vacated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who won all the seats he contested for. PML-N's Malik Rasheed will be contesting against Sardar Muhammad Hussain Dogar of the Sunni Ittehad Council. 

More than 520,000 voters are set to cast their votes here, while 60 of the 342 polling stations have been deemed sensitive where army, Rangers and police personnel are deployed. The turnout in this constituency in the February 8 elections was 58%.

NA-196 Kambar Shahdadkot: PPP's Khursheed Junejo and Muhammad Ali Brohi of the TLP are among the candidates in this constituency. This seat was vacated by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. Voters
Around 423,000 voters are eligible to cast their votes in this constituency, where 303 polling stations have been set up for Sunday. 

Punjab Assembly

For the Punjab Assembly's 12 constituencies, 174 candidates are in the running, with over four million voters set to cast their votes. For this purpose, 2,601 polling stations have been set up across the province. 

In Lahore, by-elections will be held in one constituency of the National Assembly and four of Punjab Assembly.

The PP-147 seat of Punjab Assembly has 11 contestants, including PML-N's Malik Riaz and Muhammad Khan Madni. Similarly, for PP-149, the competition is among 14 candidates, including Shoaib Siddiqui of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and Qaiser Shehzad. 

For PP-158, a fierce contest is anticipated between PML-N candidate Chaudhry Nawaz and Moonis Elahi of the Sunni Ittehad Council, with a total of 22 candidates in the running.

Meanwhile, in PP-164, 20 candidates, including PML-N's Rashid Minhas and Muhammad Yousuf of the Sunni Ittehad Council, are gearing up for a tight electoral battle. 

In Wazirabad's PP-36 constituency, PML-N's Adnan Afzal Chattha is up against SIC’s Fayaz Chattha, while 155 polling stations have been set up here. 

The polling process is reportedly very slow, with 15 of the 185 polling stations declared highly sensitive. Around 318,000 voters are set to exercise their right to vote here. 

In Gujrat's PP-32, PTI-backed SIC candidate Chaudhry Parvez Elahi is contesting against his nephew Musa Elahi of the PML-Q. This seat had fallen vacant after PML-Q's Chaudhry Saalik Hussain retained his National Assembly seat and was later appointed a federal minister. 

In the PP-154 Zafarwal constituency, 155 polling stations have been set up for 24,805 eligible voters. A tough contest is expected between the PML-N and Sunni Ittehad Council candidates, while Rangers personnel have been deployed at sensitive polling stations. 

In PP-290 Dera Ghazi Khan, the competition is between seven candidates, including those belonging to the PML-N, PPP and PTI. There are 117 polling stations set up in this constituency, where 1,900 police personnel have been deployed. There are a total of 193,560 voters here. 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly

Moreover, 49 candidates are contesting for two seats of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, PK-22 Bajaur and PK-91 Kohat, for which 1.47 million voters are eligible to cast their votes at 892 polling stations set up across KP. 

For the Kohat seat, a hot contest is expected between PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council's Dawar Afridi and independent candidate Imtiaz Qureshi, who are among the 10 candidates in the running here. 

There are 168 polling stations set up in the constituency, where heavy police contingents have been stationed.

Balochistan Assembly

For two seats of the Balochistan Assembly, PB-20 Khuzdar and PB-22 Lasbela, 12 candidates are in the race. These constituencies have 396,000 voters with 354 polling stations set up. 

In Khuzdar, 933,425 voters are eligible to cast their votes today. Despite 100% of the polling stations being declared sensitive, peaceful voting is being reported at all of them. Women and men in large numbers have been reported to be heading to the polling stations.
At least 1,400 security personnel have been deployed here and Levies and police officials are on high alert. 

Security duties

Civil armed forces and military personnel will be deployed to provide fool-proof security, with the army serving as a quick response force until April 22. Police personnel will be stationed at the first level of duty, followed by civil armed forces, and finally, Pakistan Army personnel.

Army and civil armed forces personnel will maintain neutrality during voting and counting, ensuring that they do not interfere with the election officers and staff. Any irregularities will be addressed by the presiding officer, with military forces refraining from taking action without permission.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has set up election monitoring and control centers to register and address public complaints during polling. These centers are located at provincial, divisional and district levels, in addition to the Election Commission Secretariat in Islamabad. 

Mobile and internet services in 13 districts and tehsils of Punjab, including Lahore, Gujrat, Kasur, and Sheikhupura, will be suspended on Sunday to ensure the maintenance of law and order during the by-elections on Sunday.

The Punjab Home Department has forwarded a formal letter to the Ministry of Interior, urging the suspension of mobile phone and internet services on the day of the by-elections.

According to the letter, mobile, and internet services are to be halted in specific areas to prevent any untoward incidents and to uphold security during the electoral process in 13 districts and tehsils of Punjab. 

The suspension of mobile and internet services will be enforced in Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Kasur districts. Additionally, in order to maintain law and order, mobile internet services will also be suspended in Talagang, Kallar Kahar, and Gujrat.

Also Read: By-elections to be held on 21 constituencies on April 21. Details inside.

Furthermore, mobile and internet services will be stopped in Alipur Chattha, Zafarwal, and Bhakkar, with similar measures planned for Sadiqabad and Dera Ghazi Khan. 

The Home Department has dispatched copies of the letter requesting the suspension of services to the Punjab chief secretary, the inspector general of police, and the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for necessary action. 

In addition to the Ministry of Interior, the department has also dispatched copies of the letter to the commissioner, the Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO) and other relevant officers to coordinate and implement the suspension effectively.

The polling for the by-elections in 21 constituencies is scheduled to take place on April 21. The election commission announced that campaigning for the by-polls ended on Friday midnight. 

Also Read: Preps underway for by-elections for one NA, four PA seats from Lahore

Elections will be held in the following constituencies of the National Assembly: NA-8 Bajaur, NA-44 Dera Ismail Khan, NA-119 Lahore, NA-132 Kasur, NA-196 Kambar Shahdadkot. 

Elections will be held on these constituencies of Punjab Assembly: PP-22 Chakwal-cum-Talagang, PP-32 Gujrat, PP-36 Wazirabad, PP-54 Narowal, PP-93 Bhakkar, PP-139 Sheikhupura, PP-147 Lahore, PP-149 Lahore, PP-158 Lahore, PP-164 Lahore, PP-266 Rahim Yar Khan, PP-290 DG Khan. 

Elections will be held on these constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly: PK-22 Bajaur, PK-91 Kohat.

Elections will be held on these constituencies of Balochistan Assembly: PB-20 Khuzdar and PB-22 Lasbela. 

With by-elections scheduled in one constituency of the National Assembly from Lahore and Punjab Assembly's four, preparations are in full swing as election materials are being delivered to polling stations across the city.

The polling process, set to take place from 8am to 5pm tomorrow, will see voters casting their ballots to fill vacant seats in both the National and provincial assemblies. As per the latest updates, election materials are being dispatched today from the returning officers' (ROs) camp offices to the presiding officers to ensure a smooth and organized polling process.

Nine candidates, including prominent figures like PML-N's Ali Pervaiz and PTI's Shahzad Farooq, are vying for the NA-119 seat, while PP-147 has 11 contestants, including PML-N's Malik Riaz and Muhammad Khan Madani.

Similarly, for PP-149, a competitive race is likely with 14 candidates, including Mohammad Shoaib Siddiqui of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and Qaiser Shehzad. 

For PP-158, a fierce contest is anticipated between PML-N candidate Chaudhry Nawaz and Moonis Elahi of the Sunni Ittehad Council, with a total of 22 candidates in the running.

Meanwhile, in PP-164, 20 candidates, including PML-N's Rashid Minhas and Muhammad Yousuf of the Sunni Ittehad Council, are gearing up for a tight electoral battle.

Also Read: By-elections to be held on 21 constituencies on April 21. Details inside.

The process of delivering election materials for the National and Punjab Assembly constituencies in Lahore has commenced, with the returning officers overseeing the distribution of materials to the presiding officers.

Under tight security provided by law enforcement agencies, the presiding officers are now en route to their designated polling stations to ensure the integrity and security of the electoral process. 

The polling for the by-elections in 21 constituencies is scheduled to take place on April 21. The election commission announced that campaigning for the by-polls ended on Friday midnight. 

Elections will be held in the following constituencies of the National Assembly: NA-8 Bajaur, NA-44 Dera Ismail Khan, NA-119 Lahore, NA-132 Kasur, NA-196 Kambar Shahdadkot. 

Elections will be held on these constituencies of Punjab Assembly: PP-22 Chakwal-cum-Talagang, PP-32 Gujrat, PP-36 Wazirabad, PP-54 Narowal, PP-93 Bhakkar, PP-139 Sheikhupura, PP-147 Lahore, PP-149 Lahore, PP-158 Lahore, PP-164 Lahore, PP-266 Rahim Yar Khan, PP-290 DG Khan. 

Elections will be held on these constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly: PK-22 Bajaur, PK-91 Kohat.

Elections will be held on these constituencies of Balochistan Assembly: PB-20 Khuzdar and PB-22 Lasbela. 

Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana had reached a key barrier and that he expected this to convert into votes. Shah projected the BJP's "best ever showing" in four southern states in this election according to Indian media.

"This time, from the south I feel it will be our best showing. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana... and Karnataka... in these states, we will have a strong result. For the first time in South India, Prime Minister Modi's popularity has grown so that we can get votes and seats."

In support of his argument that the BJP should now capture seats in South India, a region that has historically rejected the party, he cited the higher vote share between the 2014 and 2019 elections.

In Tamil Nadu, the BJP received 5.5% of the vote in the 2014 election. In 2019, this dropped to less than 3.7. The party received slightly more than 10% of the votes in Kerala, a neighbouring state, in 2014; five years later, that percentage rose to 12.93%. But the party was unable to secure a seat in either state.

Kerala and Tamil Nadu have historically been the BJP's struggled most states. However, the BJP has heavily invested in Mr Modi's time as well as considerable money to campaign in these states.

In recent weeks, Mr. Modi has been to Kerala and Tamil Nadu more than a dozen times.

The comment comes as the first round of voting for all 39 of Tamil Nadu's seats takes place today.

Twenty seats in Kerala vote in the second phase on April 26; the remaining twenty-five seats in Andhra Pradesh vote in the fourth phase on May 13. 17 seats in Telangana will vote on May 13. In the state, the BJP saw significant gains in the 2018 Assembly election, moving from one seat to eight this time.

Karnataka votes in the second and third phases, on April 26 and May 7, making it the only southern state where the BJP is well-represented. The last election saw the BJP win 25 of the 28 seats.

The southern states are vital to the BJP's aspiration to win over 370 Lok Sabha seats on its own and over 400 with its partners in the NDA. Only 29 of the 130 MPs that the party sent to the Lok Sabha came from the southern states, which includes Puducherry's sole seat.

To meet its 'abki baar, 400 paar' aim, the BJP has to do much better. This is especially important because the opposition INDIA alliance led by the Congress is predicted to win Kerala and Tamil Nadu, while the non-aligned YSR Congress Party is thought to have the advantage in Andhra Pradesh.

Balochistan National Party (Mengal) chief Akhtar Mengal on Friday asserted that the plan was being made to rig the upcoming by-elections, slated to happen on April 21 (Sunday).

Expressing his thoughts in Khuzdar, Mengal said: "We will thwart the efforts of rigging through the power of the masses. The masses will not spare the presiding officers if they become part of the rigging."

He lamented that Balochistan is facing unrest. "The provincial government is worried about rigging."

– 'Pre-poll rigging' started ahead of by-elections, asserts Omar Ayub –

Few days back, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub claimed that the “pre-poll rigging” started ahead of the by-elections.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Ayub said: “The RO had been directed to provide Form 45 to the PTI. The incumbent government came into existence through Form 47, which violated the constitution.”
 
Speaking about the Iran-Israel conflict, Ayub said: “No policy statement has been issued in connection with the Iran-Israel conflict.”
 
He lamented: “Masses should get ready, as the price of gasoline will be increased again after 15 days.”

Ayub challenged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to stage a public gathering in Chaman.
 
Expressing his thoughts in line with the arrival of a Saudi delegation to Pakistan, Ayub said: “We welcome a Saudi delegation to Pakistan.”

He took a swipe at the Punjab IG, saying, “The Punjab IG is not managing to provide protection to his own police.”
 
Ayub lamented the “unemployment” in the country, saying, “The masses are facing hardships due to the unemployment.”

With over a billion people eligible to vote, India launched the biggest election campaign in history on Friday. Only ten political parties, out of the nation's over 2,500 total, control 86% of the seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament according to Reuters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party are expected to lead a serious struggle between a few parties.

Bahartiya janta party (BJP)

The Jan Sangh party, an outgrowth of the men-only Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), gave rise to the BJP, the largest political party in the world with approximately 180 million members. Following its formation in 1980, the BJP struggled in the political fringes until 16 years later, when it produced its first prime minister during an unstable 13-day government.

Under Modi, the BJP established a majority-rule government for the first time in 2014. It has ruled wonderfully ever since.

Narendra Modi

The 73-year-old Modi grew up in a modest Gujarati town. In his 20s, he joined the RSS, the ideological father of the BJP, and over fifteen years later, he joined the Jan Sangh.

Before leading the BJP to a landslide win in the 2014 general election, he had climbed through the ranks over the years and served as Gujarat's chief minister more than three times.

After ten years in office, Modi is still incredibly popular as he runs for a record-tying third consecutive term. Pollsters anticipate that he and the BJP will win easily because of freebies, robust economic development, and persistent wooing of the Hindu majority.

In the populated northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Modi is running for reelection from Varanasi, a place of holy significance for Hindus.

Amit Shah

Amit Shah is India's home affairs minister, a role crucial to issues of national security and a strong ally of Modi. After Modi swept to power in 2014, he was elected president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and in 2019 he assumed a ministerial post during Modi's second term.

Shah is recognized for supporting Modi in advancing his Hindu-first policies, which include removing Jammu & Kashmir's special status as a state that is home to the majority Muslim population and enacting controversial citizenship legislation that some claim discriminates against Muslims.

Gandhinagar, the state capital of Gujarat, is where Shah is contesting for reelection.

Indian National Congress

The Congress, the nation's oldest political party, ruled India for more than two-thirds of the country's independence period beginning in 1947, but since Modi's rise to power, the party has had difficulties.

The first and only woman Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi also came from this party and introduced comprehensive economic reforms in 1991 making way for the evolution of an open market economy.

However, the Modi campaign and other accusations of corruption caused it to fall out of office in 2014.

Rahul Gandhi

Congress's most prominent campaigner and Modi's greatest rival, Gandhi has never served as a minister in a federal or state administration, has failed to lead his party to victory in a general election, and resigned as party leader following his miserable showing in the most recent legislative elections in 2019.

He is still, however, the focal point of opposition politics in India and Modi's primary opponent. For over 37 years, his father, grandmother, and great-grandfather served as prime ministers.

Gandhi, 53, is a four-time member of parliament who has had difficulty mobilizing people behind a weak 26-member opposition coalition that he helped in assembling. To revitalize his campaign and capitalize on the discontent around joblessness, economic disparity, and hardship in rural areas, he embarked on two cross-country walks.

Gandhi is campaigning for office in the southern state of Kerala from Wayanad. Sonia Gandhi, the daughter of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, has chosen not to run for office in this year's election.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

The 2011 anti-corruption campaign led by self-styled crusader Anna Hazare, who had the close support of Arvind Kejriwal, gave rise to the Aam Aadmi, or Common Person's Party.

In 2012, Kejriwal founded the AAP, and in 2015, he established a municipal government in Delhi, the nation's capital, causing a stunning political shock for long-standing parties like the Congress and BJP. Since then, Kejriwal has served as chief minister of Delhi. He is a staunch opponent of Modi and a supporter of the Congress in the next elections.

The pre-election arrests of the majority of AAP's prominent leaders, including Kejriwal, in an alleged fraud case, have cast doubt on the party's prospects. 

 The accusations are rejected by the party that also controls Punjab state, calling them "a desperate attempt to malign the image" of Kejriwal.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)

The DMK, a powerful regional force in southern India, is ranked third among political parties in the country based on the number of seats it has in the lower house of parliament. DMK, a Congress partner, is also in power in Tamil Nadu state, which has one of the lowest rates of poverty in the country—2%—as well as a high percentage of literacy.

All indian Trinamool Congress (TMC)

The Trinamool Congress, which has four times as many parliamentary seats as the BJP, is in charge of West Bengal, an eastern state. The party split from the Congress and was reconstituted around twenty-five years ago.

Mamata Banerjee, the party's founder, has led the state for over 13 years and is currently a reluctant partner of the Congress in the battle against the BJP in the 2024 elections. Her party has joined the opposition bloc, which consists of 26 members, but they haven't been able to agree on who would run from which state seat.

Mahua Moitra, a steadfast opponent of Modi, is a TMC contender in the next election. After being accused of taking bribes from a businessman in return for answering questions in parliament, Mitra a former investment banker was expelled from parliament last year. The accusations, according to Mitra, are baseless.

India’s elections are all set to be kicked off on April 19 — scheduled in seven phases and to be completed in six weeks — making it the biggest electoral exercise to choose the next prime minister of India.

There are 18 million (teens) first-time voters while there are 197 million their Voters in twenties.

Interestingly, Pilopatia is a remote enclave nestled within India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands and , just 9.7 meters (32 feet) above sea level.

The elections journey in the Pilopatia is worth reading.

The election journey begins from Port Blair where election officials first take a ship then a speed boat and then another small dingi and finally they take a hodi — a traditional boat used by the local tribe — to reach the nine voters of the area.

The entire journey takes 24 hours and the last leg of the journey was pretty dangerous as is through the mangrove swamps infested with crocodiles. The officials carry voting machines with them and voting boxes with them to reach the area.

India Prime Minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi reacting to the relations with Pakistan and China said that he congratulated the Prime Minister of Pakistan on assuming office — after winning the February 8 elections by forming a unity government.   

“India has always talked about promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the region,” Narendra Modi said.

When asked about the internal affairs of Pakistan, Modi replied: “I will not comment on Pakistan's internal affairs.” 

PM Modi said in an interview with US's Newsweek magazine ahead of the three-month-long Lok Sabha Elections.

PM Modi said in an interview with US's Newsweek magazine 

Read more: US closely monitoring reports of Indian involvement in killing of Pakistani citizens

Pakistan and India diplomatic relations had taken a hit after the 2019 Pulwama attack that killed 40 Indian soldiers. India as usual blamed for Pakistan but failed to present any credible evidence to support its argument.

"I have congratulated the Prime Minister of Pakistan on taking over office. India has always advocated for advancing peace, security, and prosperity in our region in an atmosphere free from terror and violence," he said.

Pakistan's Foreign Office had strongly rejected India's terror claims made by India in the past and reiterated that it is India that has been pursuing a nefarious international terror network as proved by the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, conspiring to kill Sikh leaders in the United States and carrying out extra-judicial killings in Pakistan as well.

Read more: India election: Congress's Gandhis, trailing Modi, battle for political survival

Modi's comments on Imran Khan

As per NDTV, when asked about the imprisonment of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, India PM Modi refused to comment on internal matters of the neighbouring country Pakistan.

India-China border situation needs to be addressed urgently

Commenting on the India-China border, India PM Narendra Modi said situation needs to be addressed urgently to resolve the "abnormality" in the bilateral interactions asserting that the two countries share an important relationship.

“A stable India-China relations are important for the entire world,” Modi told U.S. magazine.

"For India, the relationship with China is important and significant. It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us," said the Prime Minister.

He also hoped that the two neighbours will be able to restore peace at its borders through positive engagement.

Read more: Concerns arise over video alleging violence against Pakistani woman Seema in India

"Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just our two countries but the entire region and world. I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquility in our borders," he said while speaking to the New York-based magazine.

India-China ties deteriorated steeply in 2020 after clashes between their troops in the high-altitude Galwan Valley in the Ladakh region. As many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the clashes.

Read more: Indian court rejects appeal against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest

Political party merchandising and flag producers are expanding operations and putting up extra hours to accommodate a spike in demand weeks before India's two-month-long election, which will see almost a billion voters cast votes, according to Reuters.

Garments manufacturers are temporarily transforming factories where they typically create saris into manufacturing hubs for election flags and banners ahead of the first polling day of the seven-phase election on April 19.

As many as 40 of those types of factories exist in Mathura, a temple town in Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state and a major political hotbed, according to one such factory owner, Mukesh Agarwal.

According to Agarwal "The cheapest and best items used for political campaigns are banners and flags."

A party badge can cost as little as one rupee ($0.01) in the low-margin, high-volume election merchandise industry.

If demand keeps rising, certain manufacturers, according to Agarwal, can create a million flags per day.

Thousands of candidates and hundreds of political parties plaster posters all across India during every election.

"As many people have little education, party workers use flags to promote their symbols and hang them outside houses and make them the medium of their campaigns," Agarwal said.

Along with a few other minor hotspots like Mathura in the north and Hyderabad in the south, the textile city of Surat, in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the centre of electoral merchandising.

The economy grows during elections because political parties spend money on anything from small merchandise to helicopter rentals.

According to Gulshan Khurana, general secretary of a shopkeepers association in the Sadar Bazar market of Delhi, political parties employ up to 10 million people while spending between 30 and 50 billion rupees on electoral merchandise.

Having worked as a market trader for almost 50 years, Khurana stated that business has increased by around 30 per cent since the 2019 election when Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party spent a record amount to retain power.

A coalition supported by Modi was expected to win easily, according to a survey conducted last week. During the unveiling of his party's manifesto on Friday, Indian National Congress opposition member Rahul Gandhi declared that the election is "much closer than being propagated".

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reached Saudi Arabia on a commercial flight.

According to details, the premier will hold a key meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and also perform Umrah.

He was accompanied by members of the federal cabinet. Prominent among those included in the government delegation were Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Abdul Aleem Khan, Atta Tarar, and Ahad Cheema.

PM Shehbaz was also accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

It is expected that PM Shehbaz and the Saudi crown prince will hold discussions on bilateral relations and investment.

According to the foreign office spokesperson, the leaders of both countries are willing to extend economic cooperation and expand investment.

Read Also: PM Sharif to visit Saudi Arabia from April 6 to 8, may meet Saudi crown prince

Moreover, the passengers took selfies with PM Shehbaz during the flight.

Meanwhile, the premier also held conversations with children during the flight.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف وفد کے ہمراہ تین روزہ دورہ پر سعودی عرب پہنچ گئے

وزیراعظم کمرشل فلائیٹ کے ذریعے سعودی عرب روانہ ہوئے ہیں

وزیراعظم شہباز شریف دوران پرواز مسافروں سے گھل مل گئے

پرواز میں موجود دیگر مسافروں نے وزیراعظم کے ہمراہ سیلفیاں بنائیں

وزیراعظم نے بچوں اور بچیوں… pic.twitter.com/1nBUqwkojw

— PMLN Digital (@PMLNDigital) April 6, 2024

Earlier, Foreign Office announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia from April 6 to 8 on his foreign visit following the general elections held in February. 

– Pakistan on verge of economic stability, says PM Shehbaz –

Earlier, the premier said on Saturday that Pakistan was on the verge of economic stability. 

According to details, PM Shehbaz held a meeting with the delegation of Istanbul Grand Airport.

On this occasion, the premier said: "The country is looking to rely on a public private partnership. The investors and businesspersons have been welcomed here."

"We are willing to expand the investment and partnership with our brotherly country, Turkiye," he added.

PM Shehbaz said: "We are taking measures to further facilitate the passengers at the airports."

"It is our topmost priority to ensure transparency in the entire process of airport outsourcing," the premier said.

The delegation showed their interest in investment and partnership in Pakistan.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori on Wednesday called for joint efforts in a bid to lead the country to prosperity.

Expressing his thoughts on the occasion of iftar dinner, Tessori said: "We have to make joint efforts in a bid to be placed on the list of developed countries."

"Instead of pointing out the mistakes of each other, we got to help each other," Tessori added.

"I am in talks with the religious scholars to impose the principles of the state of Madina at the Governor House," he maintained.
 
– Kamran Tessori vows to uplift IT sector in Sindh –

Few days back, Tessori on Friday vowed to uplift the IT sector in the province.

Expressing his thoughts in Karachi , Tessori said: "Sindh will make its name in the field of IT. The standard of the IT classes across Sindh will be of high quality."

"About 2.5 million children will get benefit from the online short courses. We are also going to roll out the IT short courses in the different districts of Sindh," Tessori stated.

"The process of the establishment of the IT university at Governor House is underway," he said.

The incumbent government was looking to improve the performance of the federal ministries.

According to details, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on Wednesday in which the premier stressed the need for improving the performance of the ministries.

The premier had been instructed to constitute the committee, spearheaded by the finance ministry, in a bid for a talent hunt.

PM Shehbaz expressed optimism that the professional and technical experts will make all-out efforts in a bid to bring innovation to the contemporary governance system.

– PM Shehbaz sees senators' role vital to uphold democracy –

Separately on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz said that the senators' role in uplifting the country's democracy was vital.

The premier felicitated the newly-elected senators. On this occasion, PM Shehbaz said: "The Senate elections are a part of the continuity of the democratic process."

He hoped that the senators would play a vital role in a bid to lead the country towards development and prosperity.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday ruled out alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

Speaking to media in Islamabad, Khan said: "The PML-N, PPP, and MQM-P had snatched our Senate seats. These people had only won three out of 22 Senate seats."

"15 of the Senate seats were snatched by the MQM-P, while four were snatched by the PPP," he added.

Khan made it clear that his party believes in the supremacy of the law. "We have full confidence in the judiciary," he said.

– PTI founder has asked to form full-bench court on IHC's judges letter –

Khan said on Tuesday that the party founder had asked to form a full-bench court on the Islamabad High Court's (IHC) judges letter.

Expressing his thoughts, Gohar said: "It is good to see that the Supreme Court (SC) has taken suo motu notice of the IHC judges' letter.".

Khan urged the need to announce the verdict of the PTI founder's disqualification as soon as possible. "There is a dire need to ensure that no one interferes in the judiciary," he added.

Speaking about Bushra Bibi, Khan asserted: "Bushra Bibi is being kept in isolation."

In line with the postponement of the Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Khan said: "We strongly condemn the delay of the postponement of the elections in KP."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accused of employing drastic measures, deserting traditional political ethics, in a controversial move aimed at securing victory in the upcoming April 2024 elections.

The Modi govt, it's alleged, has unleashed a campaign targeting prominent figures of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), following the arrest of New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

During a recent press conference, Delhi's Education Minister, Atishi Marlena, voiced concerns over alleged pressure tactics employed by the Modi government, claiming that AAP leaders were given ultimatums to either join the BJP or face jail time.

Marlena further disclosed that BJP's purported agenda includes the apprehension of four more AAP leaders, namely Saurabh Bharadwaj, Raghav Chadha, Durgesh Pathak, and herself, before the Lok Sabha elections.

Read more: Modi targets Opp parties ahead of Lok Sabha polls

The BJP's aggressive stance against opposition parties extends beyond AAP, as evidenced by its actions against the Congress party. Accounts belonging to the Congress have reportedly been frozen, with hefty fines totaling Rs3500 crores imposed, further complicating the political landscape.

Critics argue that these actions signal a departure from democratic norms, with concerns raised over the integrity of the electoral process. As the nation gears up for the impending elections, the clash between political ideologies intensifies, leaving many to ponder the implications for India's democratic fabric.

In a nationwide local vote on Sunday, Turks delivered President Tayyip Erdogan and his party their biggest electoral blow, reinforcing Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as the president's main opponent and reaffirming the opposition's political power.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) of Imamoglu retained Ankara and gained 15 additional mayoral seats across the country as of the majority of the votes being counted. Imamoglu was leading by ten percentage points in the mayoral race in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey.

It was the biggest setback for Erdogan and the AK Party (AKP) in their more than 20 years in office, and it may herald a shift in the divisive political climate of the nation. Erdogan described it as a "turning point" in a speech given after midnight.

Due to rising inflation, disgruntled Islamist voters, and Imamoglu's popularity outside of the CHP's secular base in Istanbul, he and the AKP performed worse than pollsters had predicted, according to analysts.

"Those who do not comprehend the message of the nation will ultimately lose," the 53-year-old Imamoglu declared late on Sunday to thousands of ecstatic supporters, some of whom were yelling for Erdogan to step down.

"Tonight, 16 million citizens of Istanbul sent a message to our opponents and the president," declared the former businessman, who entered politics in 2008 and is currently being predicted to run for president.

Erdogan, who served as mayor of his native Istanbul in the 1990s, had run a vigorous campaign ahead of the municipal elections, which observers saw as a test of the opposition's resilience and his level of support.

Erdogan said his alliance had "lost altitude" across the country and that it would take action to address the message from voters as he spoke to large crowds at the AKP headquarters in the capital city of Ankara.

In the upcoming years, "if we made a mistake, we will fix it," he declared. "We will finish anything that is missing."

Another setback for Erdogan came when thousands more supporters in Ankara waved party and Turkish flags during a speech by the reelected CHP mayor, Mansur Yavas, who easily defeated his AKP opponent.

The largest city in Europe and the centre of the nation's economy, Istanbul, had 92.92% of its ballot boxes opened, indicating that 50.92% of voters supported Imamoglu, while 40.05% supported AKP challenger Murat Kurum, a former minister in Erdogan's national government.

Surveys had indicated that the race in Istanbul would be close and that the CHP might lose ground nationwide.

However, preliminary official results released by the state-run Anadolu Agency revealed that the AKP and its principal ally had forfeited mayoralty in 19 significant municipalities, including the industrialized northwest's major cities Bursa and Balikesir, potentially indicating financial strains on wage earners.

The results showed that the CHP was leading the country by nearly 1% of the vote, a first in thirty-five years.

According to Mert Arslanalp, an assistant professor of political science at Bogazici University in Istanbul, this was Erdogan's "biggest electoral setback" since he took office in 2002.

"Imamoglu proved he could transcend the profound socio-political splits that characterize Turkey's opposition voters, even in the absence of their institutional backing," the professor stated. "He is now Erdogan's regime's most formidable political opponent."

When Imamoglu first won Istanbul in 2019, he dealt Erdogan a severe electoral blow and put an end to the 25 years that the AKP and its Islamist predecessors had ruled the city, including Erdogan's own tenure as mayor in the 1990s. That year, CHP also won Ankara.

Despite a protracted cost-of-living crisis, the president retaliated in 2023 by winning reelection and a parliamentary majority with his nationalist allies.

Analysts said that this time around, voters were compelled to punish the AKP due to economic hardships such as nearly 70% inflation and a slowdown in growth caused by an aggressive monetary tightening regime.

"The key factor was the economy," senior adviser at the Albright Stonebridge Group, Hakan Akbas, stated. "The Turkish people demanded change, and President Erdogan's default enemy is now Imamoglu."

Erdogan claimed that the economy will recover on its own when the second election cycle ends in less than a year.

Supporters waving flags in front of the Istanbul Municipality building expressed their desire to see Imamoglu run against Erdogan for president in the future.

"We are very happy. I love him so much. We would like to see him as president," said Esra, a housewife.

The AKP's support was also undermined by growing popular support for the Islamist New Welfare Party, which adopted an even harsher stance against Israel during the Gaza conflict than did Erdogan. In the southeast, the party defeated an AKP incumbent to win Sanliurfa.

Despite the dissolution of the opposition coalition that failed to unseat Erdogan the previous year, Imamoglu was re-elected.

The primary pro-Kurdish party, which supported Imamoglu in 2019, put up a candidate of its own this time around in Istanbul under the DEM banner. However, the results indicate that many Kurds disregarded party loyalty and voted for him once more.

DEM proved its mettle in the predominantly Kurdish southeast by taking control of ten provinces. Due to suspected militant connections, the state has replaced pro-Kurdish mayors after past elections with "trustees" appointed by the state.

Earlier in the day, violence broke out, with one person killed and eleven injured in an incident involving fights between groups using guns, sticks, and stones in the southeast. In another, four people were hurt in a fight and one neighborhood official, or "muhtar," candidate was slain, according to Anadolu.

Ahead of the vote in Bursa, the Demiroren news agency reported that one person was shot dead and two others were injured in separate incidents during the previous night.

The anticipation surrounding Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza’s potential entry into politics has been fueled by reports suggesting her candidacy for the Hyderabad seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Indian media outlets have been abuzz with speculation after former Indian cricketer and Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin purportedly recommended Sania Mirza, his daughter-in-law Anam's sister, as a prospective candidate.

Rumors have intensified, indicating Sania Mirza's willingness to venture into Indian politics, with Money Control reporting her alleged candidacy from Hyderabad on a Congress ticket.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sania Mirza (@mirzasaniar)

Sources indicate that the Congress party is contemplating fielding Sania Mirza against All India Majlis Ittehad Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi in Hyderabad, a seat the Congress hasn't won since 1980.

The buzz around Sania Mirza's potential political debut gained momentum following the Congress Central Election Committee's recent meeting, where 18 candidates from states including Goa, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand were discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sania Mirza (@mirzasaniar)

During this meeting, Congress leader Muhammad Azharuddin purportedly put forth Sania Mirza's name as a potential candidate for the upcoming elections, prompting further speculation and discussion within political circles.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Wednesday that his party was not in contact with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Expressing his thoughts, Rehman said: "The incumbent government is not too stable to continue for a longer period. The government came into existence after the results, which we do not accept."

"The government can topple itself if the masses will give their opinion," he added.

Rehman said: "The government will be on our radar in our campaign."

"Our opinion is clear that the rigging was held in the recently held elections," he maintained.

– Fazlur Rehman calls on Chinese envoy –

Earlier today, Rehman called on the Chinese envoy in Islamabad.

On this occasion, Rehman condoled the deaths of the Chinese citizens in Besham. The matters in line with the law and order were also discussed.

– Fazlur Rehman calls for bringing culprits to justice –

Rehman condemned the suicide attack and called for bringing the culprits to justice.

Expressing his thoughts, Rehman said: “The suicide attack on the citizens of the brotherly country of China is quite deplorable.”

Rehman made it clear that his party was standing with Chinese brothers in this difficult time.

He lamented the country’s myriad problems, saying, “Neither there is peace in the country nor does democracy exists. Even the country is witnessing economic woes.”

“The law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also quite disturbing for a long period of time,” Rehman said.

Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Wednesday that the country was facing severe economic hardships.

Expressing his thoughts, Iqbal said: "All the matters of the government are running on the loans. This is a warning sign for us." 

Iqbal urged the need to increase production capacity, revenue, and exports in a bid to get the country's economy back on track.

"The country has no other option with the exception of economic progress up to nine percent," he added.

– Ahsan Iqbal asks PTI to play 'positive' role in assemblies –

Iqbal asked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to play a "positive" role in the assemblies.

Expressing his thoughts in Zafarwal, Iqbal took a swipe at the PTI, saying, "The political party that did not manage to hold its intraparty elections, secured its seats by forming an alliance with another political party."

He emphasised the need for embracing unity, saying, "We all can address the myriad challenges by joining hands together. One of the biggest challenges is to revive the country's economy.".

The PML-N stalwart asked the PTI to do its self-accountability before hurling allegations at the opponents. He questioned: "How can they [the PTI] fix the country's problems if they will continue to hurl allegations at the opponents?