Maharashtra poll counting halted
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday restrained the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) from counting votes cast in the first phase of local body elections on December 3, ruling that early results could influence voter behaviour in the second phase scheduled for December 20. The court said results from both phases must be declared together, prompting the SEC to announce that counting for all 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats will now begin at 10 am on December 21. A division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas also barred the publication of exit-poll results until 30 minutes after polling ends on December 20. The hearings stem from petitions challenging the SEC’s revised poll schedule after irregularities led to rescheduling elections in 24 local bodies. Petitioners argued staggered counting violated principles of free and fair elections. The court maintained the model code of conduct will remain in force until results are declared and will hear the matter again on December 10.
Imran Mentally Tortured: Sister
Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, said on Tuesday that the former Pakistan prime minister is in “perfectly fine” physical health but is being subjected to “mental torture” in solitary confinement at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Her remarks followed a rare meeting after more than a month of the family being denied access, sparking widespread rumours about the 73 year old PTI leader’s condition. Uzma claimed Khan is kept confined for most of the day, allowed limited time outdoors, and barred from communicating with anyone. Adiala Jail authorities maintain that Khan is in good health.
Four records broken at KIUG
At the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) in Rajasthan, four meet records were broken on the second day of athletics, with two from Chandigarh University athletes. Rahul of Chandigarh University set a new men’s 20km race walk record with 1:25:43, surpassing the 2022 mark. Deepika of Chandigarh University broke the women’s javelin throw record with 55.53m, while Ruchir Mori of Swarnim Gujarat Sports University improved the men’s 400m hurdles mark to 51.00 seconds. Lovely Professional University’s Jyoti raised the women’s high jump record to 1.77m. Guru Nanak Dev University continued leading the medal tally with 31 golds, followed by Chandigarh University (22) and Lovely Professional University (23).
