Parties feel the heat as voters stay home

The low voter turnout in the first phase of elections makes political parties jittery

Posted On Friday, April 17, 2009 at 12:42:56 PM

The low voter turnout in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra has alarmed senior party leaders. According to reports, the turnout was approximately 54%, almost 10% less than the average voting in the state Was it is due to the scorching sun or the sheer apathy on the part of almost half of the 18.1 million voters? These are the questions now being asked in the state headquarters of major parties. Could it be that star campaigners-like Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, L K Advani, Narendra Modi Mayawati, Sharad Pawar, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, Gopinath Munde, and Nitin Gadkari to name a few-have lost their lustre, failing to generate sufficient voter interest in the polls? Union ministers Praful Patel, Vilas Muttemwar and Suryakanta Patil, AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik, Datta Meghe (NCP), Bhavana Gawli (Shiv Sena), Prakash Ambedkar (BRP), and Bhaskarrao Khatgaonkar (brother-in-law of chief minister Ashok Chavan, NCP), were among the prominent leaders in the first phase. Word on the street is that Congress leaders are keeping their fingers crossed as they are depending heavily on the Vidarbha region for votes. However, they are worried as a low percentage of voting has always affected their chances. Past precedence has shown that the Congress always receives a boost from the floating vote, while a low voter turnout usually comprises die-hard loyalists of local parties, such as the Sena. MPCC president Manikrao Thakare, who reviewed the situation, however, claimed that there was a "positive response'' from the voters to the Congress-NCP-RPI alliance. He added that in all the rallies held so far, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were crowd-pullers. Their presence, he said, helped generate a positive atmosphere as both addressed less contentious issues. But unlike the Gandhis, whose presence guarantee crowds, state-level leaders are not getting the expected response while campaigning. So, the Congress is taking no chances, and is organising more rallies led by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi for the second phase of voting, scheduled on April 23. According to MPCC spokesperson Kanahaiyalal Gidwani, Sonia will address meetings in Jalna, Pune and Dondaich in Dhule on April 20, while Rahul will be at Bhiwandi and Shirdi on April 19. The MPCC has also decided to put in more effort to ensure mobilisation of crowds at the rallies. MPCC general secretary Sanjay Dutt and Rajani Patil (vice-president) will be in charge of the Pune meeting, while MPCC officials Sheshrao Chavan and Prakash Mugdiya will be in charge of the mobilisation efforts for the Jalna meeting. Senior leaders have also been roped in. One senior AICC observer told TOI that Congress is expecting a large chunk of seats: a minimum of 15 seats from Congress and another dozen from the NCP, a total that will ensure the alliance a comfortable position in the post- election wrap-up. The NCP, too, is refusing to read too much into the low voter turnout. The party spokesperson and former minister Madan Bafna said it was difficult to say who would benefit from the low turnout. Much will depend on the mobilisation of voters by different political parties during the two-week campaigning, he said. Meanwhile, Sena spokesperson Dr Nilam Gorhe said the party was receiving a good response on the campaign trail, and that members were not worried about the low figures. Sena-BJP leaders are hopeful that the low turnout will work in their favour, but they are in no hurry to talk about it and alarm the Cong-NCP alliance in the state. Lack of transportation facilities many have also played a role in the low voter turnout. Due to the Election Commission's vigilant watch, no candidate was taking the risk of providing voters with vehicles so that they can reach the polling booths

READ MORE - Parties feel the heat as voters stay home

Mizoram sees lowest turnout ever

Aizawl, Apr 18 : Mizoram has witnessed a 48.66 per cent poll turnout, the lowest in the history of Lok Sabha elections in the state since it became a Union Territory in 1972.

''Owing to poor communication network
, the results could not be received on time. When the results reached us, the poll percentage turned out to be only 48.66,'' poll officials said here today.

However, the votes polled in the eight relief camps of Bru/Reang refugees were quite high touching 57.7 per cent. In the relief camps, six in North Tripura district and two in Mizoram Mamit district, there are 12,539 eligible voters for Mizoram.

The ballots cast by the Reangs are on their way to the state capital Aizawl under tight security surveillance, officials said.

The 1977 parliamentary elections in Mizoram witnessed a 49.91 poll percentage which had been the lowest until this year's poll turnout.

The fate of the four candidates for the state's lone Lok Sabha seat will remain sealed in strong rooms in headquarters of the each eight districts of Mizoram till May 16.

The run up to the polls will witness a straight fight between Congress nominee and party stalwart C L Ruala and Mizo National Front-Mizoram People's Conference combined candidate and former MP Dr H Lallungmuana.

The two other candidates - Rualpawla of little-known Israel National Front (independent ticket) and Lalawmpuia Chhangte of the Nationalist Congress Party - are unlikely to get more than 10,000 votes each.

All the EVMs used in the polling stations in Aizawl district reached a heavily-guarded strong room here this morning.

Aizawl district election observer Renilla D Marak and Aizawl DC/DEO C Thanchhuma received the EVMs in the presence of other officials.

Mizoram also had by-election yesterday to the South Tuipui Assembly constituency left vacant by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.

The by-poll, which was a two-cornered fight between MNF-MPC and ruling Congress party, recorded 67.96 per cent voters' turnout.

READ MORE - Mizoram sees lowest turnout ever

Polling for 10 N-E LS seats peaceful with high turnout

GUWAHATI: Polling for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in six north eastern states went off pretty peacefully on Thursday with a fairly high turnout.

By northeast standards, the first phase of elections went off without a hitch except for a gun battle beween security forces and militants in a polling booth in the Autonomous District constituency. An improvised explosive device explosion had also taken place and a powerful IED was recovered in KarbiAnglong district.

Around 62 percent polling was recorded in the three parliamentary seats of Silchar, Karimganj, and Autonomous District of Assam. A polling officer tried to commit suicide in the Howarhgat area under the Autonomous District constituency.

According to Himanta Narzary, state chief Electoral officer, miscreants tried to snatch voting machines in two polling booths in Karimganj. Technical snags in EVMs was reported from 14 polling stations in Karimganj, eight in Silchar and three in the Autonomous district. "In Katlichera area the EVM was destroyed and we have sought EC’s permission for repoll," Mr Nazary added. Assam and Nagaland does not have Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs).

For the two seats in Meghalaya, polling was about 60 percent, while Nagaland registered the highest turnout for its solitary seat at 85 percent. Till 3 pm, polling for the lone Mizoram seat was 48 percent, but it is expected to touch 50 percent by the end of the day. Polling in West Arunachal Pradesh was about 59 percent while in East Arunachal, there was a 63 percent turnout.

Jiban Singh, DIG of Assam police, told ET, "Militants exploded an IED and a gun battle waged between BSF and militants when BSF personnel were attacked as they were returning from pol duty in KarbiAnglong," The police suspected the Karbi Longri National Front (KLNLF) as perpetrators of the crime. "There were also reports of clashes between supporters of Congress and Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF)" Mr Singh said.

State election commission officials said there was no violent incident in Meghalaya. "There were reports of EVM damage from one or two polling stations in Nagaland. We have sought a report and will the needful accordingly" they said.

State election commission officials indicated that there was a likelihood of re-polling in three or four polling booths in Manipur. In Mizoram, polling was by and large peaceful. The electorate in a certain village comprising 209 voters boycotted polls entirely on the issue of re-alignment of the national highway. There were altogether of 12 cases of poll related violence and EVMS damage in Arunachal Pradesh.

Altogether, about 7.45 million voters will decide the political fortunes of 72 candidates in six states of the northeast. Thursday’s ballot will decide the fate of sitting NCP MP, Agatha K Sangma, daughter of P A Sangma and the the youngest MP in the last Lok Sabha.

It will also decide the fate of BJP MP, Kiren Rijiju, Congress heavyweight and Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Santosh Mohan Dev, former minister of state for communications, Kabindra Purukayastha of BJP and AUDF president, Badruddin Ajmal.

READ MORE - Polling for 10 N-E LS seats peaceful with high turnout

Mizoram News Briefs

The first batch of 123 Polling Parties in Lunglei and Lawngtlai District have left today for their respective Polling Stations which are situated in interior areas. These comprised of 58 Polling Parties in Lunglei District and 65 in Lawngtlai District. These Parties also included those who are to undertake foot march in 40 villages in both the Districts. In Lunglei, the rest of the Polling Party except those to be deployed in Lunglei town area are to leave tomorrow. In Lawngtlai District the rest 80 Polling Parties are also to leave for their respective Polling Stations tomorrow. Meanwhile Polling Materials were issued to the Polling Parties in Aizawl, Mamit, Champhai and Saiha today. However, the last briefing of the polling personnel was held  in Serchhip and Kolasib today. The Polling Parties are to collect the polling materials tomorrow and some of them will leave for their destinations tomorrow itself.

Security personnel to be deployed on election duty in Aizawl district were also briefed in a function held at Vanapa Hall today. The Addl. SP, Mr Rodingliana Chawngthu and Mr. Ngursangliana Sailo briefed them on do’s and don’ts as well as for performance of their election duties with dedication till completion.
——

Polling Parties headed by Nodal Officers have arrived in 6 Bru Camps of Tripura to conduct polling by Postal Ballot Paper. According to the instruction of the Election Commission the Polling Parties are to issue Postal Ballot Papers from tomorrow to the genuine voters who are duly enrolled in the list of voters. As already stated, there are 4682 voters in the Bru camps who are eligible exercise their franchise in the coming Lok Sabha election.
——

Four candidates of the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram shared a common platform in Aizawl today. Addressing the gathering an Independent supported by MNF and MPC, Dr. H. Lallungmuana said, his agenda is to see whether indigenous people of Mizoram occupy their rightful place as UN Declaration of Right to Indigenous People. He also underlined the need to utilize Central assistance for sustenance of the people of Mizoram to enable them to stand on their own.  Addressing the people, the Nationalist Congress candidate, Mr. Lalawmpuia Chhangte also said that Mizoram needs a person who can stand on behalf of the people to safeguard and protect them whenever there is a threat to the community and their religion. He also vowed to improve power position of the state. Describing the election as the battle fought between David and Goliath as written in the Bible, the Israel National Front candidate, Mr. Rualpawla said, representative of the Mizos in the Parliament needs to have good relation with the Israel Government. The Congress candidate, Mr. CL Ruala who addressed the meeting lastly also underlined the need to boost power generation in the state with the help of the Centre. His priority lists also included exploration of hydro carbon deposits underneath Mizoram and implementation of the Look East Policy of the Centre. The joint platform organized by the MPF was attended by a number of party workers and it was presided over by the MPF Secretary Dr.Lalbiakmawia Ngente.
————-

Sixteen houses were completely gutted by fire in Vathuampui yesterday. Official sources in Lawngtlai told ZONET that there was no casualty or injury because of the fire though properties worth of several thousand rupees were destroyed in the fire. The Deputy Commissioner, Lawngtlai has sent BDO Bungtlang to conduct on the spot verification of the incident and the quantum of assistance to be given to the fire victims. Meanwhile, the people of Piler and Sialsir villages in Serchhip district are troubled by forest fire during the last two days. Our Serchhip Corr. reported that the people of Sialsir village have got panic as the fire engulf their village. The people of the nearby villages were also asked to come forward to help them. In the meantime, the people of Piler village also continue the fight against the wild fire which has damaged a large cultivable land.
———-

One hundred and six persons fell ill after consumption of a wedding feast in Lunglei last week. According to delayed information, some of them complaint stomach pain with fever as the immediate symptom which was followed by loose motion and vomiting. They were taken to the Civil Hospital and Christian Hospital in Serkawn. The District Magistrate set up an Enquiry Committee headed by the SDPO, Mr. PC Lalchunglura with 3 members who are doctors. The Enquiry Committee is to submit its report to the Deputy Commissioner within 3 days. ———-

The Relief Committee of Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM) has sent 40 bundles of CGI sheets for roofing materials of 20 cyclone victims families in Sangau and Sentetfiang villages. The BCM Relief Committee Secretary, Rev. R. Lalrintluanga told ZONET that the CGI sheets were sent to the 2 villages today by a 407 Truck.
———-

The birthday of the Architect of Indian Constitution Dr. BR Ambedkar falls tomorrow. The Governor have declared the day as a public holiday under Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881. All the Government offices, educational institution, banks and public undertakings will be closed.
———

Stock position of rice in 14 Principal Distributing Centres all over the state have been improved considerably. In reply to ZONET Corr., the senior official of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said, over 42 thousand and 499 quintals of rice have been lifted during the last two days and stored in the PDCs at Lawngtlai, Lunglei, Hnahthial, Serchhip, Chhingchhip, Champhai, Khawzawl, Kawlkulh, Saitual, Kolasib, Kawnpui, Lungdai, Aibawk andAizawl for distribution to the people on the basis of ration card.
———

READ MORE - Mizoram News Briefs

Mizoram's international border sealed

Aizawl, Apr 13 : Mizoram's international border with Myanmar and Bangladesh have been sealed to prevent disruptive forces from entering the state during the elections on April 16, official sources said on Monday.

Mizoram's 722-km long international border with Myanmar and Bangladesh have been sealed and strict vigil maintained along the borders with the Assam Rifles deploying additional forces in the areas adjoining Myanmar and Manipur border, sources said.

Preparations for the election to the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat and assembly by-poll to the South Tuipui constituency to be held on April 16 are complete, Mizoram joint chief electoral officer Lalhmingthanga.

"All the polling parties collected polling materials and other necessary items by today and everything would be ready in the polling stations by Wednesday, the eve of the polling," he said.

A 50-strong polling party left Aizawl on Sunday for Tripura to conduct polling for 4,682 Bru voters now lodged at six relief camps in North Tripura district's Kanchanpur Sub-Division, he said.

An electorate of 6,29,155 voters would exercise franchise on April 16 in 1,026 polling stations of which 40 are identified as sensitive.

READ MORE - Mizoram's international border sealed

Sangliana’s wife is five times richer than him

BANGALORE: It seems there is a rich woman behind every male politician if one goes by the assets declared while filing nominations for Lok Sabha polls.

After the better-halves of H N Ananth Kumar and H D Kumaraswamy, it is the wife of H T Sangliana who has emerged richer than her husband.

According to the assets declared by Sangliana while filing nominations as Congress candidate from Bangalore Central on Friday, his wife C Rothangpull owns property worth Rs 2.14 crore while his property amounts to Rs 40.61 lakh. That means his wife is about five times richer than him. This former Bangalore city police commissioner's assets include Rs 2,61,447 cash, 3.10 acres land worth Rs 3 lakh in Churachandpur, Manipur; a flat worth Rs 35 lakh in Koramangala. His wife owns jewellery worth R 2.8 lakh, two acres of land worth Rs 10 lakh near Gangenahalli and a house worth Rs 2 crore in Indiranagar. Most politicians flaunt luxury cars but Sangliana owns a third-hand Maruti 1000 car (1994 model).

CLEAN IMAGE
After filing nominations, he asked people to vote for him as his poll rivals - BJP candidate P C Mohan and JDS contestant Zameer Ahmed Khan - were corrupt and he was the only genuine clean candidate.

Source: Bangalore Mirror

READ MORE - Sangliana’s wife is five times richer than him

Bandhs to greet Sonia in N-E

SHILLONG/IMPHAL: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit to Meghalaya and Manipur will be greeted by bandhs. While a Khasi rebel outfit called bandh on Monday when Sonia visits Shillong, the Joint Action Committee in Manipur formed against MCS officer Kishan's killing has given a strike call the day she lands in Imphal.

Sonia is supposed to address election rallies in Shillong, Silchar, Imphal and Arunachal Pradesh on Monday. Though, a students' organization had called a bandh in Silchar, it is likely to be withdrawn.

The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has called a bandh on April 13 in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills to protest the proposed visit of the Congress president.

The banned Khasi outfit had called for a bandh during PM Manmohan Singh's visit to Shillong to address an election rally ahead of the Assembly polls in March last year. However, the Khasi rebel outfit is under pressure from public as the day coincides with a popular Khasi dance festival Seng Kut Snem.

In Manipur, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) set up against the brutal killing of MCS officer Thingnam Kishan Singh and two of his staff has already announced a boycott of Sonia's visit. As AICC president is likely come to the state on Monday, JAC has decided to call a state-wide general strike on that day.

JAC charged her for keeping mum over the triple killing and Irom Sharmila Chanu's lone campaign against the controversial Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act. JAC convener N Michael asked whether the Centre has any hidden agenda for refusing to ask NSCN (IM) to hand over the culprits to the state, and said Sonia's proposed visit is nothing but fooling the public.

Sources in Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), however, said AICC is yet to confirm Sonia's Imphal visit.

In Shillong, the state Congress leaders are hoping that party supremo Sonia Gandhi will finally seal the deal in its favour. Though Shillong has always been its traditional bastion, the Congress is currently facing a tough challenge from the NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA).

Sonia is scheduled to address a public rally at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex here on Monday in support of party candidate Vincent Pala for the Shillong seat, which goes to the polls on April 16. With sitting MP and Union tribal affairs minister P R Kyndiah opting out of the elections, the Congress fielded business tycoon Pala, who, however, is a relatively unknown entity in the political and public circles.

On the other hand, the MPA has thrown its weight behind the United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate John F Kharshiing, who has a rapport with the traditional tribal administrative organizations in the state and is a well-known figure among the masses.

"Our party is sure to retain the Shillong seat, which we have represented in the Lok Sabha ever since the creation of the state and it will be no different this time. The visit of AICC president will ensure that our margin of victory will be much higher than what it was last time," a senior Congress member said.

READ MORE - Bandhs to greet Sonia in N-E

Thailand declares emergency as protesters storm summit

GETTY IMAGES

Supporters of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra battle with pro-government supporters

Anti-government protesters stormed a building where leaders of Asian nations were to meet today, prompting Thailand's government to cancel the summit and declare a state of emergency in the seaside city that was to host it.
The leaders were being evacuated by helicopter from Pattaya to a nearby military airport, a security official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

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The red-shirted protesters, who are calling for the resignation of Thai Prime Abhisit Vejjajiva, declared victory and walked away from the convention center.
"We have won. We have stopped them from holding a summit," Jakrapob Penkair, one of the protest leaders, said in the capital, Bangkok. "But we have not achieved our goal yet. We will continue to protest in Bangkok until Abhisit resigns."
More than 1,000 protesters smashed through the convention center's glass doors and ran through the building, overturning tables, blowing horns, waving Thai flags and screaming, "Abhisit get out!"
All the leaders were safe, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat. Nine leaders from Southeast Asian nations were in a nearby hotel on the convention grounds at the time the protesters broke in.
"The meeting cannot go on. We have to consider the security of the leaders," government spokesman Supachai Jaisamuth said. "The situation is too violent and it is a security concern for the leaders."
The chaos dealt a major blow to Abhisit, who has been trying to project an image of calm and normality since taking power in a parliamentary vote four months ago after a court dissolved the previous government for election fraud.
It also scuttles a chance for the 16 regional leaders, including those from China, Japan and South Korea, to confer on ways to combat the global slump that has battered Asia's export-oriented economies. North Korea's recent rocket launch also was to be discussed at the gathering, which on Sunday was to include Australia, New Zealand and India for the full-fledged East Asia Summit.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said he hoped the summit could be rescheduled within the next few months, and warned protesters that "very tough standards will be applied to them very soon."
The summit started Friday with a dinner among leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but fell apart Saturday morning as protesters blocked access to some of the delegates' hotels.
Organizers had to delay — and then cancel — morning meetings between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and ASEAN leaders, as well as meetings with the president of South Korea, and later with Japan's prime minister.
A breakfast meeting of the foreign ministers from Japan, China and South Korea also was canceled.
The airplane carrying Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was to join the summit Sunday, was diverted on news of the cancellation. After making a refueling stop, he was to fly back to Australia, officials said.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, scheduled to meet with ASEAN leaders Sunday, issued a statement saying he "deeply regretted" that the summit was called off, and would not be attending.
The protesters are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption and abuse of power. They say Abhisit was not elected by the people and should step down so new elections can be held.
"We want to tell Abhisit himself that this meeting cannot go on," protest leader Arisman Pongreungrong said after leading the mob into the hilltop convention hall in Pattaya, a resort city about 140 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of Bangkok.
The protesters met little resistance from a thin line of soldiers in riot gear who were standing in front of the summit venue. When the protesters pushed toward the building and started pounding on the glass facade, the soldiers attempted to push them back but were overwhelmed by their numbers.
Abhisit, who has repeatedly refused to step down, went on national television and declared a state of emergency in the area surrounding the summit.
The decree gives the military the right to restore order, allows authorities to suspend civil liberties, bans public gatherings of more than five people and bars the media from reporting news that "causes panic."
Earlier in the day, there were clashes between anti-government protesters and pro-government groups, some wearing masks. Panitan, the government spokesman, said authorities were investigating reports of shots fired and an explosion.
Chatree Charoenchivakul at the Narenthorn Emergency Center said 10 people had minor injuries, including four red-shirted protesters. One demonstrator had serious injuries with shrapnel in his abdomen, he said.

READ MORE - Thailand declares emergency as protesters storm summit

Bru voters in Mizoram to cast votes on April 14 and 15

Aizawl , Apr 11 Bru voters in North Tripura district would cast their votes through postal ballots in their relief camps on April 14 and 15 for the lone Mizoram Parliamentary seat, for which the rest of the state would vote on April 16, election officials said here today.

Bru refugees are the only people, besides defence personnel and polling officials, permitted to cast their votes through postal ballots.

A 50-strong polling party would leave Aizawl tomorrow for the six relief camps in the district to conduct polls, state Joint Chief Electoral Officer Lalhmingthanga told PTI.

Hoping that the 4,682 Bru voters would complete the polling exercise during the two days, he informed that the security arrangements at the relief camps would be made by the District Magistrate.

Bru voters had earlier exercised their franchise through postal ballots in the December assembly polls.

READ MORE - Bru voters in Mizoram to cast votes on April 14 and 15