A voter goes through the elections procedure to cast her vote at a polling station during the second phase of the Lok Sabha Polls, in Bhagalpur on Friday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Lok Sabha polls | About 61% turnout in Phase II; polling largely peaceful

Polling for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in 88 constituencies across 13 States was largely peaceful on Friday, with the voter turnout put at nearly 61%.

The turnout figures were till 7 p.m., the Election Commission (EC) said in a statement.

SC thumbs-up for EVMs, declines plea to revive paper ballot

The Supreme Court on April 26 upheld the electronic voting machine (EVM) system of polling and refused a plea to revive paper ballots, saying “blind distrust” of an institution or a system breeds unwarranted skepticism and impedes progress.

Human error can occur in EVM-VVPAT system: Supreme Court

Human errors are possible in the Electronic Voting Machine-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (EVM-VVPAT) system of polling, the Supreme Court acknowledged in a judgment on April 26. However, it was consoled by the fact that “the manual on EVM and VVPATs deals with such situations and lays down the protocol which is to be followed”.

After Supreme Court’s ‘tight slap’ to Opposition in EVM case, they should apologise for creating distrust: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 26 termed the Supreme Court judgement on electronic voting machines (EVMs) as a “tight slap” to Opposition parties, including the Congress. He demanded an apology from them for “committing the sin of creating distrust” over EVMs.

Congress may name Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha candidates on April 27

The Congress is likely to decide its nominees for the Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday as the party’s central election committee is meeting to finalise candidates for the remaining seats in the State and in Punjab.

Human errors can occur in EVM-VVPAT system, but manual deals with them: SC

Human errors are possible in the Electronic Voting Machine-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (EVM-VVPAT) system of polling, the Supreme Court acknowledged in a judgment on April 26.

Sunita Kejriwal to hit campaign trail with roadshow today

Aam Aadmi Party national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal will hold a mega roadshow in support of the party’s East Delhi candidate Kuldeep Kumar on Saturday.

South Africa will mark 30 years of freedom amid inequality, poverty and a tense election ahead

As the country gears up for celebrations Saturday to mark 30 years of freedom and democracy, much of the enthusiasm and optimism of 1994 has subsided as Africa’s most developed economy faces a myriad of challenges.

Board exams twice a year from 2025: Ministry of Education asks CBSE to work out logistics, no plan for semesters

The Ministry of Education has asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to work out logistics for conducting board exams twice a year from the 2025-26 academic session, according to sources.

The plan for introduction of a semester system has been ruled out, they said.

Humza Yousaf vows to continue as Scotland First Minister, face no confidence vote

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, on April 26, said he would not resign following the end of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens that led to the Opposition backing a no confidence motion against him.

No evidence of loco pilots watching cricket during A.P. train crash as claimed by Railway Minister

The investigation into last year’s tragic collision of two passenger trains in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, which left 17 passengers dead and 34 injured, has not revealed any evidence to prove that the locomotive pilots of one of the trains were watching cricket at the time of the accident.

CBI seizes arms and ammunition in Sandeshkhali

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday seized a cache of arms and ammunition during its searches on two premises in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali in the case related to the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.

IPL-17: KKR vs PBKS | Bairstow leads Kings to record chase in insane slamfest

Jonny Bairstow was at his destructive best to smash an unbeaten 108 (48b, 8×4, 9×6) and helped Punjab Kings create history by overhauling host Kolkata Knight Riders’ record score of 261, by eight wickets, at the Eden Gardens here on Friday.

A voter goes through the elections procedure to cast her vote at a polling station during the second phase of the Lok Sabha Polls, in Bhagalpur on Friday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Lok Sabha polls | About 61% turnout in Phase II; polling largely peaceful

Polling for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in 88 constituencies across 13 States was largely peaceful on Friday, with the voter turnout put at nearly 61%.

The turnout figures were till 7 p.m., the Election Commission (EC) said in a statement.

SC thumbs-up for EVMs, declines plea to revive paper ballot

The Supreme Court on April 26 upheld the electronic voting machine (EVM) system of polling and refused a plea to revive paper ballots, saying “blind distrust” of an institution or a system breeds unwarranted skepticism and impedes progress.

Human error can occur in EVM-VVPAT system: Supreme Court

Human errors are possible in the Electronic Voting Machine-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (EVM-VVPAT) system of polling, the Supreme Court acknowledged in a judgment on April 26. However, it was consoled by the fact that “the manual on EVM and VVPATs deals with such situations and lays down the protocol which is to be followed”.

After Supreme Court’s ‘tight slap’ to Opposition in EVM case, they should apologise for creating distrust: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 26 termed the Supreme Court judgement on electronic voting machines (EVMs) as a “tight slap” to Opposition parties, including the Congress. He demanded an apology from them for “committing the sin of creating distrust” over EVMs.

Congress may name Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha candidates on April 27

The Congress is likely to decide its nominees for the Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday as the party’s central election committee is meeting to finalise candidates for the remaining seats in the State and in Punjab.

Human errors can occur in EVM-VVPAT system, but manual deals with them: SC

Human errors are possible in the Electronic Voting Machine-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (EVM-VVPAT) system of polling, the Supreme Court acknowledged in a judgment on April 26.

Sunita Kejriwal to hit campaign trail with roadshow today

Aam Aadmi Party national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal will hold a mega roadshow in support of the party’s East Delhi candidate Kuldeep Kumar on Saturday.

South Africa will mark 30 years of freedom amid inequality, poverty and a tense election ahead

As the country gears up for celebrations Saturday to mark 30 years of freedom and democracy, much of the enthusiasm and optimism of 1994 has subsided as Africa’s most developed economy faces a myriad of challenges.

Board exams twice a year from 2025: Ministry of Education asks CBSE to work out logistics, no plan for semesters

The Ministry of Education has asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to work out logistics for conducting board exams twice a year from the 2025-26 academic session, according to sources.

The plan for introduction of a semester system has been ruled out, they said.

Humza Yousaf vows to continue as Scotland First Minister, face no confidence vote

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, on April 26, said he would not resign following the end of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens that led to the Opposition backing a no confidence motion against him.

No evidence of loco pilots watching cricket during A.P. train crash as claimed by Railway Minister

The investigation into last year’s tragic collision of two passenger trains in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, which left 17 passengers dead and 34 injured, has not revealed any evidence to prove that the locomotive pilots of one of the trains were watching cricket at the time of the accident.

CBI seizes arms and ammunition in Sandeshkhali

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday seized a cache of arms and ammunition during its searches on two premises in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali in the case related to the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.

IPL-17: KKR vs PBKS | Bairstow leads Kings to record chase in insane slamfest

Jonny Bairstow was at his destructive best to smash an unbeaten 108 (48b, 8×4, 9×6) and helped Punjab Kings create history by overhauling host Kolkata Knight Riders’ record score of 261, by eight wickets, at the Eden Gardens here on Friday.

Test cricket will see two players featuring in their 100th game together for only the fourth time when India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow take the field in Dharamsala on March 7.
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak/Getty Images

For R. Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow, this week at the foothills of the imposing Dhauladhar mountain ranges would coincide with their scaling ‘Peak 100’ in Tests.

When the fifth and final India-England Test opens here on Thursday, the duo would share the milestone of playing the 100th Test.

No doubt, Ashwin’s journey has been more glorious and comes days after he took the 500th Test wicket in a winning cause. In contrast, Bairstow still has not been in the best of forms with the bat in the series.

As Ashwin said, “A lot of things need to go your way when you have to get a breakthrough and also continue playing for so many years.”

Ashwin @ 100

Long journey

Indeed. Since his debut against the West Indies in Delhi in 2011, the off-spinner has come a long way.

Looking back, Ashwin chose to mention the 2012 England’s tour to India during which he learnt lessons that were to stand him in good stead.

“One of the turning points of my life was the England series when (Alastair) Cook came here and made all those runs along with (Kevin) Pietersen, who had a great game in Mumbai. It has been spoken about a lot. Leading into the next series against Australia at home, there was a lot of noise about me being left out of the team.

“And that is a wonderful lesson I have still kept with me all these years. Whatever happens, we can hold a lot of complaints against somebody external or blame it on another individual. But for me, if you look internally, you can improve at least by another five per cent.

“Until and unless there is something wrong with you, people aren’t going to throw punches at you or point fingers at you…”

Ashwin graciously acknowledged the role played by S. Badrinath, Mithun Manhas, and Rajat Bhatia during the days before he made it big. “These are some of the greatest batters of spin who I would have not wanted to encounter in international cricket. They were my finishing school before I went on to play international cricket.”

On his part, Bairstow declared, “Playing 100 Tests means a hell of a lot. It will be an emotional week for me.”

Bairstow, like Ashwin, made his debut against the West Indies but in 2012.

“No matter what it is, I’ll be going out there, chewing my gum, puffing my chest out and trying to have a good time with the other 10 blokes out there. Whatever the situation is, we’ll be going out there with smiles on our faces, like we have done in the whole series.”