Supreme Court dismisses all petitions seeking 100% verification of VVPAT slips during elections

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Supreme Court Dismisses All Petitions Seeking 100% Verification Of VVPAT Slip...

Supreme Court Dismisses All Petitions Seeking 100% Verification Of VVPAT Slips During Elections

by Utkalika Mohanty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected petitions seeking 100 per cent verification of votes cast on Electronic Voting Machines with paper slips generated through the VVPAT method.

New Delhi, Apr 26: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected petitions seeking 100 per cent verification of votes cast on Electronic Voting Machines with paper slips generated through the VVPAT method.

The apex court also rejects the prayers of petitioners to return to ballot paper voting.

The two-judge bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta delivered a unanimous verdict.

Supreme Court says it's has given two directions -- one direction is after the completion of symbol loading process, the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) should be sealed and they should be stored at least for a period of 45 days.

Second direction issued by the apex court is there will be option for candidates to get the microcontroller program of EVMs to be checked by a team of engineers after the declaration of results, such a request to be made by the candidate within seven days after the declaration of results.

(ANI)

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Naveen Patnaik Govt Has Reached Its Expiry Date: Dharmendra Pradhan's Jibe At BJD

by Hemanta Pande

Jharsuguda, May 6 : Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday launched a scathing attack on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik saying that the BJD government has reached its expiry date and BJP's government will be formed in the state.

"Odisha is a state of possibilities...PM Modi has pledged to better the lives of the poor. The govt here has reached its expiry date. BJP's govt will be formed in Odisha on June 10," he said.

Further, he attacked Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik by stating that despite making several promises to the people of Odisha, he failed to provide them with basic necessities such as drinking water and water for irrigation.

"He (Naveen Patnaik) showed many dreams to the people of Odisha but he could not even provide drinking water & water for irrigation to them. About 40 per cent of children do not study past matriculation here. PM Modi has raised hope for the poor and instilled confidence in women," he said.

Pradhan's comments come after Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remark that "June 4 is the expiry date of the BJD government, saying that "BJP is daydreaming about forming government in Odisha."

Sharing a video on X, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) media coordinator Saurabh Srivastava wrote, "BJP daydreaming about forming a government in Odisha, says CM Naveen Patnaik."

Earlier in the day, while addressing a public rally in Behrampur, PM Modi exuded confidence in the BJP forming a "double engine government" in Odisha for the first time and stated that he is glad to be present in the pious land of Lord Jagannath.

"June 4 is the expiry date of the BJD government... On June 4, BJP's CM face will be announced. On June 10, the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM will take place, in Bhubaneswar. Today, I am here to invite all of you to the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM," he said.

Also Read: 'BJP CM will take oath in Odisha on June 10', roars PM Modi at Berhampur rally

The state of Odisha will hold Assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections in four phases from May 13 to June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.

In the 2019 Assembly election, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won 112 out of 146 seats, while Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) won 23 seats and Congress won 9.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won the majority of seats in the state, while the BJP and the Congress brought up the rear. The BJD won 12 seats, the BJP finished a close second at 8, and the Congress bagged just a lone seat. (ANI)

Odisha Reeling Under Heat Wave, Mercury Breaches 42°C At 13 Places

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, May 6: Odisha continued to reel under heat wave conditions as the mercury level on Monday breached 42 degree Celsius at 13 places in the State.

According to the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre, Balangir was the hottest place in the state today with a maximum temperature of 44.5 degree Celsius.

Balangir was followed by Titlagarh at 44 degree Celsius, Boudh at 43.5 degree Celsius, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur each at 43.4 degree Celsius, Bhawanipatna and Bargarh each at 43 degree Celsius.

While Sundargarh recorded 42.9 degree Celsius, the maximum temperature was 42.6 degree Celsius at Rourkela, 42.5 degree Celsius at Malkangiri, 42.3 degree Celsius at Sonepur, 42.1 degree Celsius at Angul and 42 degree Celsius at Hirakud.

The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 39.8 degree Celsius and 37.2 degree Celsius, respectively.

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Naveen’s Close Aide VK Pandian Throws Open Challenge To PM Modi

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, May 6: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will have its own government in Odisha on June 10, giving an indication that the Naveen Patnaik-led regional Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will be voted out of power, — BJD’s key strategist V Karthikeyan Pandian countered his statement and said, “Naveen Patnaik will be sworn-in as CM of the state for a record sixth term on June 9.”

The rare slugfest between PM Modi and Pandian created flutters in political circles. Curious people began discussing among themselves as to whose assertion was stronger.

While many maintained that the Prime Minister Modi cannot make such a big assertion without having clear understanding of the ground situation as it would cost him his reputation, the others who have been keeping a close watch on the bureaucrat-turned politician, vouched that the latter cannot go wrong as all his previous articulations have proved right.

“Naveen Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30 am to 1.30 pm on June 9," Pandian said on Monday afternoon.

At two separate meetings - Berhampur and Nabarangpur in Odisha, the PM on Monday said, “On June 4, BJP will emerge victorious in Odisha Legislative Assembly polls. On June 6, we will name our Odisha chief minister candidate and on June 10, our CM will take oath of office.”