LIVE: Be proud of EVM, over 3.5 bn have used it since 2004, says CEC

Uttar Pradesh to go to poll in 7 phases from Feb 10-March 7; Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa to vote on February 14 and Manipur to vote on Feb 27 and March 3

1:26 PM

Punjab eelctions: Congress launches social media campaign to counter BJP allegation on PM's security breach

Amid the high-voltage political row following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach during Punjab visit, Congress on Friday launched a counter-strategy on social media against Bharatiya Janata Party's attack over the issue.

 

Congress Social Media Department chairman Rohan Gupta said that the BJP-led Centre's intentions are not only to distract the nation from real issues but to defame the Chief Minister Charanjit Singh-led government in Punjab.

 

Gupta said that the BJP-led Centre fears India's democratic voice that echoed in the streets of Punjab.

 

Congress highlighted several issues including demonetization, "Covid pandemic mismanagement", the plight of migrant labourers during lockdown, farmers issues, Lakhimpur Kheri violence and others in its social media campaign.

1:25 PM

Uttar Pradesh election 2021: Priyanka Gandhi to kickstart virtual campaign in poll-bound UP from today

After the Uttar Pradesh Congress called off its rallies and woman's marathons in the poll-bound state due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, party's General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to launch virtual campaign from today.

 

According to the sources, Priyanka will be addressing the "Ladki hun Lad Sakti hun" campaign through the social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube where she will be interacting with the public by taking questions from them.

 

UP Congress had on Wednesday announced postponing the woman marathons and other political events due to the rise in COVID cases. Priyanka Gandhi had pushed for this in the internal meeting of the state Congress, after which it was unanimously decided by the leaders to call off the political gatherings for 15 days due to the increasing COVID-19 cases.

1:06 PM

Assembly elections 2021: Uttarakhand bans political rallies till Jan 16

Political rallies, dharnas and demonstrations have been banned in poll-bound Uttarakhand till January 16 in view of the rising coronavirus cases, according to an official order.

 

In fresh guidelines issued late Friday night that come into effect from Sunday, Chief Secretary SS Sandhu said all political rallies, dharnas, demonstrations and public events like cultural gatherings etc will remain suspended in the state till January 16.

 

The Uttarakhand High Court had recently asked the Election Commission to see if poll rallies could be held virtually and if online voting was possible. Assembly polls in the state are due in a few weeks and the Election Commission may announce the dates this month.

1:03 PM

Punjab assembly election: CEC meet chaired by Sonia Gandhi underway to finalize candidates

Congress' Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting, chaired by president Sonia Gandhi, is underway to finalize the first list of candidates for Punjab assembly polls, said ANI reported.

 

According to the news agency, a list of more than 60 names for 117 assembly seats in Punjab has already been prepared by the screening committee after several rounds of meetings.

12:56 PM

Assembly elections 2021 LIVE: EC to announce poll schedule for 5 states at 3.30 pm

The Election Commission will announce the dates for assembly polls in five states at 3.30 pm Saturday.

 

The poll body has convened a press conference in which it will declare the schedule for the polls in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur.