EC Okays Live Speeches of PM on NaMo TV in ‘Silence Period’

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party-sponsored NaMo TV can air live speeches of the Prime Minister during the "election silence period" as long as there is no reference to the candidate or constituency going to poll in that particular phase, a senior Election Commission officer said Thursday.

On a tweet by Congress president Rahul Gandhi seeking votes for his party on the proposed 'Nyay' scheme, the officer said it does not violate election norms as no candidate or constituency that went to polls Thursday was named.

A complaint was lodged with the poll panel, urging it to take down the tweet.

Speaking to reporters on NaMo TV, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said, "Since live speeches are not pre-certified election (campaign) material, they can be aired (by NaMo TV) during the silence period as long as there is no reference to candidate or constituency."

The EC has already made it clear that according to electoral laws, the platform cannot display "election matter" during the silence period in a particular phase of the poll.

The poll panel has asked the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Delhi to ensure that its directions are followed in each of the remaining five phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Central Forces for Over 90% Booths in Bengal

Kolkata: More than 90% polling stations will be covered by the Central Forces in the third phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, said Ajay V. Nayak, Special Observer appointed by the Election Commission, here on Friday.

"We had requested for 50 additional companies and the Union Home Ministry agreed to send the force. So more than 90% of the polling stations will be covered by the Central Forces. I think the election will be more and more to the satisfaction of all the political parties, " Nayak told reporters here.

Voters in five constituencies -- Malda North, Malda South, Jangipur, Murshidabad and Balurghat -- will cast their votes in the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal on April 23.

EC Seeks Report on Alleged Mamata Biopic

New Delhi: The Election Commission has sought a report from the West Bengal chief electoral officer on an alleged biopic on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The biopic titled, Baghini, is slated to release on May 3.

The BJP had approached the poll panel seeking a ban on the release of the movie till the election process is over.

Poll Officer Goes Missing in Bengal’s Nadia

Kolkata: A nodal election officer in-charge of electronic voting machines (EVMs) at Ranaghat in West Bengal's Nadia district has gone missing, police said on Friday.

The Ranaghat parliamentary constituency goes to the polls on April 29.

"Arnab Roy, in his 30s, has been missing since the afternoon of April 18. He is still untraceable," said a senior police officer of Nadia district.

The Chief Electoral Officer of the state has sought a report on the matter from the District Election Officer. 

The Election Commission and police are taking all possible steps to trace the missing officer, Commission sources said.

Priyanka Chaturvedi Quits Congress, Joins Shiv Sena

Mumbai: Former Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedion Friday joined the Shiv Sena, blaming the Rahul Gandhi-led party for reinstating party workers who misbehaved with her recently.

At a press conference here, Chaturvedi was welcomed into the Sena by the saffron party president Uddhav Thackeray,who said Sena workers have got a "good sister" in her.

Earlier in the day, Chaturvedi, who was convenor of the Congress media cell, said she was miffed at the reinstatement of some party workers in Uttar Pradesh who had threatened and misbehaved with her during her press conference in Mathura a few days ago.