More than 5000 postal voting in DK: DC
Mangaluru, May 10: Deputy Commissioner Sasikumar Senthil said that postal ballot papers were sent to polling officers, police officers and other staff deputed for election duty and more than 5000 voters would cast their votes through postal ballots in the district.
Speaking in a joint press conference in the city on Thursday, the DC said that total 12,837 polling officers, 1295 police officers and staff, 43 persons vehicle drivers and cleaners were sent postal ballots. Already, they have received total 5900 postal ballots from them, he said.
Keeping vigil on social media campaign
The Election Commission is keeping vigil on the social media against posting comments against any candidates or political parties or campaigning on any person or parties. Steps have been taken to trace such persons who engage in such activities in social media and they could be jailed if the charges are proved, he warned.
13,176 polling officers appointed
Total 13,176 polling officers were appointed in eight assembly constituencies in the district. Along with them, total 648 vehicles were pressed into election duty to ferry polling officers and staff. The KSRTC will provide special bus service to 33 places where bus facility is not available. In order to ferry polling staff and EVMs to Sullia, Belthangadi and Puttur, total 160 buses were deputed, he said.
Polling agents who enter polling stations on the polling day could be changed before 3 pm. After 3 pm, no party should change their polling agents. All people who will come to polling booths would be allowed to exercise their votes till 6 pm. The district has total 17,11,848 voters including 8,70,675 women voters, he said.
The election commission has restricted to conduct survey from 7 am to 6.30 pm on the day of voting and conducting exit poll was also banned before 48 hours of the voting. Political parties and candidates should get the permission either from the district or state election committees for publishing the advertisements to be published on May 11 and 12, he said.
ZP CEO Dr MR Ravi, ADC Vaishaly, DCP Hanumantaraya and others were present at the press conference.
Action against those who disturb voting: Commissioner
In order to ensure smooth and fair election, the police department has taken all precautionary measures. The department would take action against those who indulge in any kind of anti-social activities to disturb polling, said Police Commissioner Vipul Kumar and SP Dr Ravikante Gowda.
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US President Biden assures peaceful transfer of power in January
Washington, Nov 7: Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Thursday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump in January and appealed to the people to accept the election results for the White House.
Biden made the comments during an address to the nation a day after Trump, 78, was re-elected as the 47th president of the US after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee.
Biden said he spoke with Trump and also with Vice President Harris, who he said ran an inspiring campaign.
Trump, who had lost the 2020 elections to President Biden, won this time both in terms of popular votes and electoral college votes.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory. I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition," Biden said in his address from the Rose Garden of the White House.
"That's what the American people deserve,” he added.
"For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," he said, adding that the people vote and choose their leaders and do it peacefully.
"In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails," said Biden in his address attended by members of his Cabinet and senior administration officials.
Biden said he hoped the election could also lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system.
“It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. It can be trusted, win or lose. I also hope we can restore the respect for all our election workers who busted their necks and took risks at the outset,” he said.
“As they did their duty as citizens, I will do my duty as president. I'll fulfill my oath and I will honour the Constitution. On January 20th, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” Biden said.
Rebutting criticism of his economic policy, Biden said his administration is leaving behind the strongest economy in the world.
Biden said he also spoke with Vice President Harris.
"She's been a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign, and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much: her character... She has great character, true character,” he said.
Biden added that Harris -- who took after Biden withdrew in July-- gave her "whole heart and effort" to her presidential campaign.
"I know for some people, it's a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it's a time of loss," he said.
Adding that campaigns are contests of competing visions and the country chooses one or the other, Biden said, "We accept the choice the country made."
"You can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbour only when you agree,” Biden said.
His remarks are seen as an attempt to heal a country that appeared divided into two groups after the results of the bitterly contested presidential election were out.
"I know people are still hurting, but things are changing rapidly. Together, we've changed America for the better. Now we have 74 days to finish our term. Let's make every day count. That's the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.
Noting that setbacks are unavoidable, he said that giving up is "unforgivable".
"We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he said.
“That's the story of America for over 240 years and counting. It's a story for all of us, not just some of us," he said, adding that the American experiment endures.
"We're going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. Above all, we need to keep the faith,” Biden said.
