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Voter turnout in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is set to cross 90%. As of 5 pm, a voter turnout of 89.9% had been recorded in the state, according to the Election Commission.
Polling took place in 142 of the state’s 294 constituencies. The first phase of polling, which covered 152 seats, was held on April 23 and a record turnout of 93.2% was reported.
The West Bengal Police said incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from parts of the state during the early hours of polling. Read on.
The Election Commission said that it will conduct repolling in election booths where it is “verified” that the Electronic Voting Machines had been tampered with. It said so after the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that in several booths in Falta, tape had been used to cover the button that is to be used for vote for the Hindutva party.
The party’s publicity chief Amit Malviya demanded an immediate re-election in “all affected booths”. A video posted by him on social media purportedly showed that the voting buttons for the BJP candidate and another nominee in booth number 170 had been covered with a tape. Read on.
The Supreme Court refused to pass additional directions to curb acts of hate speech, saying that existing laws are sufficient to deal with the problem. The order said that the court can only draw attention to the need for reforms.
The bench said that the power to create criminal offences lies within the legislative domain. It also noted that theexisting framework of the criminal law, including provisions of the Indian Penal Code and linked legislations “adequately addresses” acts that promote enmity, outrage religious sentiments or disturb public order. Read on.
Has the Supreme Court gone soft on hate speech, examines Ratna Singh.
Benchmark Brent crude rose more than 3% to $114.8 a barrel by 6 pm, as uncertainties continue about whether the United States and Iran will resume talks to end the conflict in West Asia. The price is at its highest level since June 2022.
The price of Brent was $78 per barrel on February 27, a day before the conflict started. Read on.
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