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Assembly Election 2019 Voting LATEST Updates: The Election Commission has changed 384 EVMs and 692 VVPATs till 1:30 pm owing to technical glitches, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satybrata Sahoo said. Union tribal affairs minister and BJP’s Sundergarh Lok Sabha candidate Jual Oram cast his vote in Kendudihi in Odisha’s Bonai. “I urge all my brothers and sisters to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy,” said Oram. As Odisha votes in the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls on Thursday, trends showed that constituencies with a propensity for swing votes have gone to polls on Thursday. Additionally, OTV reported that trends also showed a high voter turnout in constituencies that had “high-profile” candidates. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik is in the fray from the Hinjili and Bijepur Assembly constituencies. In Odisha, At least 14 villages have boycotted the Lok Sabha and Assembly election even as 35 Assembly seats when to the polls on Thursday. In Puducherry, All India NR Congress candidate P Nedounzejiane and DMK’s K Venkatesan are reportedly the main contenders in the fight for the Thattanchavady Assembly seat in Pondicherry. Eight candidates in all are in the fray as the by-election is conducted on Thursday. Polling in the Thattanchavady Assembly seat was brisk even as the voter turnout for the lone Puducherry Lok Sabha seat was sluggish, reports said. According to the Election Commission, 1.96 percent voting was recorded in Puducherry from 7 am till 9.30 am and 5.21 percent in Thattanchavady Assembly by-election. For the Assembly seat, there are eight candidates but the main fight is between All India NR Congress candidate P Nedounzejiane and DMK’s K Venkatesan. A 95-year-old man collapsed and died on Thursday while he was waiting in queue to cast his vote in the Kansamari booth of Sanakhemundi Assembly constituency under Aska Lok Sabha segment in the second phase of the polls. A 74-year-old man fell unconscious and reportedly died at the Omalur polling booth in Tamil Nadu’s Salem on Thursday, as the state is witnessing both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. DMK chief MK Stalin, who took over the reigns of the party after the death of party supremo Karunanidhi last year, in an interview on Wednesday said that the by-elections to 18 Assembly seats in the state had given the DMK-led Opposition a chance to “topple” the E Palaniswami-led AIADMK government. Stalin told The Times of India, “There is visible anger against the (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and AIADMK governments. People are prepared to vote for the Secular Progressive Front led by the DMK. We will win all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.” Odisha chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar said that seven percent voter turnout had been recorded till 9 am. At least 22 Assembly seats will see by-elections over April and May. On Thursday, 18 constituencies will vote in Assembly by-elections. Of these, the AIADMK government, led by Chief Minister E Palaniswami, needs to win at least 10 to retain power in the state. A polling official was shot dead by Maoists on Wednesday near Barla village under Gochhapada police station limits in Maoist-affected Kandhamal district ahead of the second phase of ongoing polls in the state. The deceased polling officer, identified as Sanjukta Digal, was on her way for election duty when Maoists exploded an IED targeting the vehicle she was travelling in but narrowly missed it. Subsequently they opened fire at the vehicle and Digal was killed. Other officials who were travelling with her are safe. Expressing condolences, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted: “Deeply anguished by the sad demise of polling supervisor Sanjukta Digal in Maoist attack in Kandhamal district of Odisha on her way to polling booth. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayer for the departed soul.” In another incident, Maoists set a bike and two SUVs on fire. The vehicles were carrying polling materials like EVMs and VVPATs etc to a booth in a remote village in Phiringia. Thirteen polling officials travelling by these vehicles got down before the Maoists torched the vehicles. Over 60,000 polling personnel have been deployed to conduct the second phase, Kumar said, adding, 8,700 vehicles will be used for their transportation. “For the first time in the state, the vehicles of all sector officers are provided with GPS tracking facilities to ensure proper monitoring,” CEO Surendra Kumar said. The E Palaniswami-led AIADMK government is running on a “thin majority” currently and it is essential for the party to win most of the 18 Assembly seats going to polls in by-elections on Thursday. Odisha chief minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik is in the fray from Hinjili and Bijepur constituencies on Thursday, as the state votes in the second phase of the Assembly election. In a test for the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), 18 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu will go to polls on Thursday. In Odisha, 35 Assembly constituencies will vote in the second phase and a bypoll to Puducherry’s Thattanchavady seat will be held on 18 April. The 18 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu are Poonamallee, Perambur, Tiruporur, Sholinghur, Gudiyatham, Ambur, Hosur, Pappireddipapatti, Harur, Nilakkottai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Manamadurai, Andipatti, Periyakulam, Sattur, Paramakudi and Vilathikulam. Of the 22 vacant Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, 18 will go to polls in this phase, with the Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK, whose strength is 114, hoping to surpass the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led front currently has 97 MLAs is looking at winning all the seats by riding the anti-incumbency wave. For the Assembly bypolls, AIADMK has allied with Pattali Makkal Katchi and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). The vacancies had arisen after 18 MLAs were disqualified in August 2017 after they revolted against Palaniswami after he merged the faction led by him with that of O Panneerselvam’s, then a rebel leader. Other seats were vacated due to the deaths of sitting MLAs, including DMK supremo M Karunanidhi. The remaining four constituencies — Aravakurichi, Sulur, Ottapidaram and Thiruparankundram — will vote on 19 May. Odisha last voted for 28 Assembly segments on 11 April. On 18 April, it will vote in 35 constituencies, namely Padampur, Bijepur, Bargarh, Attabira (SC), Bhatli, Brajarajnagar, Jharsuguda, Talsara (ST), Sundargarh (ST), Biramitrapur (ST), Raghunathpali (SC), Rourkela, Rajgangpur (ST), Bonai (ST), Birmaharajpur (SC), Sonepur, Loisingha (SC), Patnagarh, Bolangir, Titlagarh, Kantabanji, Baliguda (ST), G. Udayagiri (ST), Phulbani (ST), Kantamal, Boudh, Daspalla (SC), Bhanjanagar, Polasara, Kabisuryanagar, Khalikote (SC), Aska, Surada, Sanakhemundi and Hinjili. The state will also vote on 23 and 29 April. Among the prominent parties in the fray are Naveen Ptnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress and BJP. Puducherry’s Thattanchavady will see a contest between 18 candidates from the Congress, All India NR Congress and AIADMK, among other parties. Two women candidates are also in the fray. The seat fell vacant after the sitting MLA Ashok Anand was disqualified after being convicted by a CBI court in a disproportionate assets case.
Assembly Election 2019 Voting Updates: EC replaces 305 faulty EVMs, 692 VVPATs in Tamil Nadu, says chief election officer
Assembly Election 2019 Voting LIVE Updates: The Election Commission has changed 384 EVMs and 692 VVPATs till 1:30 pm owing to technical glitches, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satybrata Sahoo said.
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Puducherry by-elecion latest updates
Puducherry records 23 percent voting till noon
The Union territory recorded 23 percent voting on Thursday till noon for the lone Lok Sabha seat, which is witnessing a battle between the ruling Congress and opposition AINRC.
Twenty five percent polling was registered till noon for the vacant Thattanchavady Assembly seat, election officials said.
The main battle for the Parliamentary seat from the Union Territory is between the ruling Congress’ candidate V Vaithilingam, a former assembly speaker and opposition AINRC nominee K Narayanasamy.
There are 18 contestants in the fray, including two women candidates.
PTI
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Voting delayed in 50 booth in Odisha due to technical snag
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tamil Nadu, Surendra Kumar told reporters that glitches in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were noticed in some booths and the defects were immediately resolved to pave the way for voting. Kumaralso added that the machines were replaced wherever necessary.
Voting was delayed due to the snag in around 50 booths in different places under Aska, Sundargarh, Kandhamal, Sundergarh and Bolangir constituencies, the official said.
PTI
Odisha Assembly election lastest updates
Over 76.93 lakh voters to decide fate of 279 candidates in fray for Thursday’s polling.
The 279 candidates in fray for Thursday’s polling include Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Union minister Jual Oram. The electoral fortunes of these candidates will be decided in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls
While Patnaik, also the BJD chief, is in the fray from Hinjili and Bijepur Assembly seats, Oram is contesting from the Sundargarh Lok Sabha constituency.
Out of the total electorate of 76,93,123, there are 37,47,493 women voters. At least 605 electors belong to the third gender.
PTI
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Polling at Sundergarh town stops due to technical gliches in EVMs
Owing to techcnical glitches in EVMs, polling was halted at booth no- 213 in Sundergarh Town. The returning officer has written to the Election Commission (EC), demanding re-polling in the booth, OTV reported .
Tamil Nadu Assembly by-election latest updates
500 residents of Gummudipoondi in Tamil Nadu boycott polls
Almost 500 residents in Gummudipoondi constituency boycotted the election on Thursday in protest against pollution from an iron factory that was closed a few years ago, The Hindu reported.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Dharmendra Pradhan slams Naveen Patnaik over alleged attacks on BJP workers
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan slammed Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik over attacks on BJP cadre allegedly by BJD workers across Odisha. Pradhan, who has been at the helm of the saffron party’s election campaign in the state, tweeted, “Chief Minister is creating an environment of terror; if he is popular, what is he scared of?”
Second phase of Lok Sabha and Assembly election is currently underway in the state.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Odisha records 31 percent voter turnout at 2 pm
Odisha, which voted in Lok Sabha election and for 35 Assembly seats, saw a voter turnout at 33 percent in the second phase on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu Assembly by-election latest updates
305 faulty EVMs replaced in Tamil Nadu: CEO
Tamil Nadu chief election officer Satyabrata Sahoo was quoted by reports as saying that 305 malfunctioning EVMs had been replaced in the second phase of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Jual Oram casts vote in Bonai, says ’enrich festival of democracy’
Union tribal affairs minister and BJP’s Sundergarh Lok Sabha candidate Jual Oram cast his vote in Kendudihi in Odisha’s Bonai. “I urge all my brothers and sisters to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy,” said Oram.
Tamil Nadu Assembly by-election latest updates
42 percent voter turnout recorded till 1 pm in Tamil Nadu
In the Tamil Nadu, the voter turnout for 18 Assembly seats seeing by-elections was recorded at 42.92 percent till 1 pm.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Family of polling officer shot by Maoists to get compensation: CEO
The family of polling officer Sanjukta Digal, who was shot dead by Maoists while she was on poll duty will receive compensation as per Election Commission guidelines, Odisha chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar was quoted as saying.
The incident occurred in Kandhamal district on Wednesday. Digal was on her way for election duty when Maoists exploded an IED targeting the vehicle she was travelling in but narrowly missed it. Subsequently they opened fire at the vehicle and Digal was killed. Other officials who were travelling with her are safe.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Constituencies with swing votes voting today
As Odisha votes in the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls on Thursday, trends showed that constituencies with a propensity for swing votes have gone to polls on Thursday. Additionally, OTV reported t hat trends also showed a high voter turnout in constituencies that had “high-profile” candidates. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik is in the fray from the Hinjili and Bijepur Assembly constituencies.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
BJP MLA’s personal security officer critically injured after alleged clash with BJD workers
BJP MLA Radharani Panda’s personal security officer was critically injured on Thursday after being allegedly attacked by BJD workers in the Brajarajnagar constituency, as the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are underway in Odisha, OTV reported .
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
14 villages boycott polls, say reports
At least 14 villages have boycotted the Lok Sabha and Assembly election even as 35 Assembly seats went to the polls on Thursday.
Puducherry Assembly by-election latest updates
RECAP: Disqualification of AINRC MLA due to disproportionate assets case caused vacancy in Thattanchavady
In November 2018, Speaker of the Puducherry Assembly V Vaithilingam declared the Thattanchavady constituency vacant following the disqualification of the sitting legislator Ashok Anand (AINRC) in the wake of his conviction in a disproportionate assets case.
The Speaker declared through a notification that the seat has fallen vacant in accordance with the provisions of the Article 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution read with the section 14 (1) of government of Union Territories Act 1963.
Also, he declared that the constituency shall be deemed to have become vacant from 30 October when Ashok Anand was convicted.
Puducherry Assembly by-election latest updates
All India NR Congress and DMK candidates are main contenders in Puducherry’s Thattanchavady
All India NR Congress candidate P Nedounzejiane and DMK’s K Venkatesan are reportedly the main contenders in the fight for the Thattanchavady Assembly seat. Eight candidates in all are in the fray as the by-election is conducted on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu Assembly by-election latest updates
In Tamil Nadu, caste and ‘Tamil nationalism’ could play significant role
As Tamil Nadu sees a tough fight between ruling AIADMK, the DMK-led Opposition alliance and others, reports said t hat factors like caste and ‘Tamil nationalism’ could prove to be more significant as the electorate votes in Assembly by-elections and Lok Sabha polls on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu Assembly by-election latest updates
Constituency-wise voter turnout in Tamil Nadu bypoll election:
In Tamil Nadu, in the Vilathikulam bypolls, the voter turnout stood at 14.87 percent at 11 am while in Paramakudi by-election, voter turnout was recorded at 15.23 percent. In Nilakottai Assembly seat, voter turnout was at 21.8 percent.
Input by Antony Vinodh/Team 101 Reporters
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Constituency-wise voter turnout in Odisha:
According to reports , the voter turnout till 11 am in the second phase of the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha is: Kandhamal at 16 percent, Bargarh at 20 percent, Aska at 20 percent, Sundergarh at 18 percent, and Bolangir at 15 percent.
Puducherry Assembly by-election latest updates
Puducherry sees ‘brisk’ voting for Assembly seat
Polling in the Thattanchavady Assembly seat was brisk even as the voter turnout for the lone Puducherry Lok Sabha seat was sluggish, reports said . According to the Election Commission, 1.96 percent voting was recorded in Puducherry from 7 am till 9.30 am and 5.21 percent in Thattanchavady Assembly by-election.
For the Assembly seat, there are eight candidates but the main fight is between All India NR Congress candidate P Nedounzejiane and DMK’s K Venkatesan.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
BJP’s Hinjili candidate gets into argument with voter
The BJP’s candidate from the Hinjili Assembly constituency, Pitambar Acharya got into an argument with a voter at a polling station in the constituency.
Tamil Nadu by-election latest updates
CEO says voting process is peaceful so far
As Tamil Nadu votes for 38 Lok Sabha seats and 18 Assembly seats on Thursday, state chief electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo said the voting process was peaceful so far, even though EVM glitches were reported in some constituencies.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Voters boycott polls in Daspalla constituency
Hundreds of voters boycotted the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the Gumi and Dhipamala panchayats in Odisha’s Daspalla constituency. They are protesting the lack of basic amenities, reports said.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
95-year-old dies at polling booth in Odisha
A 95-year-old man collapsed and died on Thursday while he was waiting in queue to cast his vote in the Kansamari booth of Sanakhemundi Assembly constituency under Aska Lok Sabha segment in the second phase of the polls.
Tamil Nadu by-election latest updates
Senior citizen dies at polling booth in Salem
A 74-year-old man fell unconscious and reportedly died at the Omalur polling booth in Tamil Nadu’s Salem on Thursday, as the state is witnessing both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
Brajarajnagar BJP candidate casts vote
The BJP’s Brajarajnagar Assembly candidate Radharani Panda cast her vote in the constituency as polling continued for 35 Odisha Assembly seats on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu by-election latest updates
MK Stalin said, ‘Bypolls have given us chance to topple this government’
DMK chief MK Stalin, who took over the reigns of the party after the death of party supremo Karunanidhi last year, in an interview on Wednesday said that the by-elections to 18 Assembly seats in the state had given the DMK-led Opposition a chance to “topple” the E Palaniswami-led AIADMK government.
Stalin told The Times of India , “There is visible anger against the (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and AIADMK governments. People are prepared to vote for the Secular Progressive Front led by the DMK. We will win all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.”
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
EVM glitches reported in Talsara, Bonai Assembly constituencies
As Odisha votes for 35 Assembly seats as part of phase two of the polls, EVM glitches were reported in several booths in Talsara and Bonai Assembly constituencies, OTV reported .
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
CEO says seven percent voter turnout recorded till 9 am
Odisha chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar said that seven percent voter turnout had been recorded till 9 am.
Tamil Nadu by-election latest updates
Bypolls for Assembly seats under Vellore LS constituency proceed as planned
The Election Commission cancelled Lok Sabha election in the Vellore constituency after a large amount of cash was found in the premises of a DMK candidate, however, bypolls for the two Assembly seats which fall under the Vellore parliamentary constituency, Ambur and Guddiyattam, are being held as per planned.
Tamil Nadu by-election latest updates
AIADMK needs to win 10 of 18 seats to retain power in Tamil Nadu
At least 22 Assembly seats will see by-elections over April and May. On Thursday, 18 constituencies will vote in Assembly by-elections. Of these, the AIADMK government, led by Chief Minister E Palaniswami, needs to win at least 10 to retain power in the state.
Tamil Nadu by-election latest updates
First polls since death of AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa and DMK supremo M Karunanidhi
The Assembly bypolls and the Lok Sabha election being held on Thursday in Tamil Nadu are the first since the deaths of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) stalwart J Jayalalithaa and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) patriarch M Karunanidhi.
Tamil Nadu by-election latest updates
By-election will be held in two phases; four constituencies to vote on 19 May
Eighteen Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu are voting in the by-election on Thursday. The remaining four, out of 22 vacant Assembly seats will vote on 19 May.
Odisha Assembly latest updates
RECAP: Naveen Patnaik calls BJP ‘anti-poor’
Known as a soft and suave kind of politician, BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday came down heavily on the BJP dubbing it “anti poor” and cautioning the saffron party that its “jumla” will not work in Odisha.
Patnaik said this at election meetings in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts where polling to be held in third and fourth phase on 23 April and 19 May respectively. “BJP government is anti-poor. It suddenly realised that poor people need to be given cheap rations only three days ago. The realisation came after the BJP understood that it is facing defeat in the first phase of polls in Odisha,” Patnaik claimed.
Senior BJP leader and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the party, if voted to power in the state, will provide five kilograms of rice, half a kilogram of pulse and half a kilogram of salt at Re 1 to the poor people.
Odisha Assembly latest updates
Polling official was shot by Maoists on Wednesday
A polling official was shot dead by Maoists on Wednesday near Barla village under Gochhapada police station limits in Maoist-affected Kandhamal district ahead of the second phase of ongoing polls in the state.
The deceased polling officer, identified as Sanjukta Digal, was on her way for election duty when Maoists exploded an IED targeting the vehicle she was travelling in but narrowly missed it. Subsequently they opened fire at the vehicle and Digal was killed. Other officials who were travelling with her are safe.
Expressing condolences, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted: “Deeply anguished by the sad demise of polling supervisor Sanjukta Digal in Maoist attack in Kandhamal district of Odisha on her way to polling booth. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayer for the departed soul.”
In another incident, Maoists set a bike and two SUVs on fire. The vehicles were carrying polling materials like EVMs and VVPATs etc to a booth in a remote village in Phiringia. Thirteen polling officials travelling by these vehicles got down before the Maoists torched the vehicles.
Tamil Nadu by-election latest updates
Lok Sabha election on back-burner as race for Assembly seats will decide fate of state
The AIADMK government, led by Chief Minister E Palaniswami is fighting to stay afloat as 18 Assembly seats go to polls in by-elections on Thursday. The party, in an Assembly of 234, needs 116 to remain in power. The AIADMK’s present strength is 114 without the Speaker, who can vote in case of a tie during a vote of confidence.
“Not surprisingly, the AIADMK is leaving no stone unturned to score well in the by-elections. In fact, the party is more focussed on the by-polls than the Lok Sabha election,” a report by Hindu Businessline said .
Odisha Assembly election latest updates
60,000 polling personnel deployed in Odisha
Over 60,000 polling personnel have been deployed to conduct the second phase, Kumar said, adding, 8,700 vehicles will be used for their transportation. “For the first time in the state, the vehicles of all sector officers are provided with GPS tracking facilities to ensure proper monitoring,” CEO Surendra Kumar said.
Odisha Assembly latest updates
76.93 lakh voters to exercise franchise today
Over 76.93 lakh voters will on Thursday decide the fate of 279 candidates, including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union minister Jual Oram, in the second phase of polls for five Lok Sabha and 35 assembly seats in Odisha.
Out of the total electorate of 76,93,123, there are 37,47,493 women voters. At least 605 electors belong to the third gender.
Tamil Nadu by-election latest updates
Tamil Nadu by-election to be ‘people’s referendum’ on AIADMK government
The E Palaniswami-led AIADMK government is running on a “thin majority” currently and it is essential for the party to win most of the 18 Assembly seats going to polls in by-elections on Thursday.
Odisha Assembly latest updates
Naveen Patnaik richest among candidates in second phase
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who is in the fray from the Hinjili and Bijepur seats, is the richest among the 244 candidates contesting the Assembly elections in the second phase, a report released by Odisha Election Watch said.
“Of the 244 candidates in the fray for the 35 assembly segments, 70 are crorepatis,” said Odisha Election Watch convenor Ranjan Mohanty, adding that 13 candidates have assets worth Rs 5 crore and above, and 24 others have assets between Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore.
While Patnaik, who is contesting from two Assembly segments, Hinjili and Bijepur, tops the list of rich candidates with total assets worth Rs 63 crore, BJP candidate KV Singhdeo contesting from Patnagarh segment in Bolangir district stands second with total assets worth Rs 37 crore, the report said.