Bengaluru, April 18: Only 29 candidates, including 17 Independents, filed their nominations till Wednesday across the state for the May 12 Karnataka polls.
According to the Election Commission (EC)'s website, the 29 candidates filed a total of 34 nominations, with three candidates filing more than one nomination, after Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala notified on Tuesday the single phase polling in 224 assembly seats.
Among the nominations, one was from the ruling Congress, two from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and two from the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), while the remaining are 17 Independents and other parties.
As per the notification, April 24 is the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny of nominations will be on April 25 and last date for withdrawal of candidatures is April 27.
Polling is to be held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. across 58,546 polling stations across the state using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). Votes will be counted on May 15.
In a related development, the EC surveillance squads along with the police, have seized cash worth over Rs 31.28 crore from across the state since March 27, when the model code of conduct was enforced in the state.
Over 1.13 lakh litres of liquor valued at over Rs 4.5 crore was also seized from the state by the Excise Department.
The southern state has till date 4.96 crore electors - 2.52 crore men and 2.44 crore women. Over 15 lakh are first time voters in the 18-19 age group.
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UAE ‘Sahebaan’ Family Get-Together brings together over a thousand community members in Dubai
Dr Safwan, Mateen Chilmbi, Shafi Shaban, Iqbal Manna conferred with ‘Sahebaan Excellence Awards’
Dubai: Dubai witnessed a grand and vibrant celebration as UAE ‘Sahebaan’ organised its annual Family Get-Together on January 10, Saturday at the Al Khisais Amity School campus. The day-long event, held from 10 am to 9 pm, brought together families, children and community members in large numbers.
The programme featured a wide range of competitions, entertainment activities and cultural events throughout the day. UAE ‘Sahebaan’, a collective representing the Sahebaan community within the Urdu-speaking Muslim population from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, has been consistently organising the Family Get-Together in Dubai every year with great enthusiasm and scale. This year’s event was marked by the participation of over a thousand people, including children and families, making it particularly special.
Sahebaan Excellence Awards presented
As part of the programme, the annual Sahebaan Excellence Awards were presented to individuals who have excelled in various fields. The awards were conferred by chief guests and dignitaries including noted NRI businessman and social worker K.S. Nissar Ahmed, owner of Nash Engineering, Dubai; UAE Sahebaan coordinator H.M. Afroz Assadi; and special guest K.S. Imthiyaz Ahmed, President of KMES Educational Institutions, Karkala.
The Sahebaan Academic Excellence Award was presented to Dr. Safwan Ahmed, a neurologist based in Doha, Qatar. The Sahebaan Business Excellence Award was conferred on Mateen Ahmed Chilmbi, Managing Director of Petrosolutions, Dubai. The Sahebaan Sports Excellence Award was given to Mohammed Shafi Shaban for his contribution to sports promotion, while the Sahebaan Community Service Award was presented to social worker Mohammed Iqbal Manna from Udupi.
On the occasion, K.S. Nisaar Ahmed, H.M. Afroz Assadi and K.S. Imthiyaz Ahmed, Karkala, were also felicitated. Several other eminent personalities were honoured, including Nazimuddin (Nazim) Mohammed, President of Petro Gas Piping, Dubai; Yaseen Malpe, Founder Director of Vartha Bharati; Udupi District Rajyotsava awardee Dr. Sheikh Wahid Dawood; former Jamiat-ul-Falah president Abdul Latheef Saheb; Mumtaz Hussain and Ashfaq Ahmed from Qatar; and Abdul Azeez Udyavar.
Academic Excellence Awards for students
Students from the Sahebaan community residing in the UAE who achieved outstanding academic and sports performance were recognised with Academic Excellence Awards. The awards were presented by H.M. Afroz Assadi along with women organisers Farveen Assadi and Reena Altaf.
Razeena Beg (91%), a native of Vitla studying at Mayoor Private School, Abu Dhabi; Anam Aslam (95.30%), a native of Mangaluru studying at Our Own English High School, Sharjah; Mohammed Ibrahim (90.50%), a native of Udupi studying at GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah; Ameerah Qazi Abdul Khader Qazi (96.60%), a native of Gangolli studying at The Central School, Dubai; Simrah Khan Nadeem (91.20%), a native of Mangaluru studying at Al Ameer English School, Ajman; and Nuha Riyaz Khalife from Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, a native of Mangaluru, were honoured with the Academic Excellence Award for securing high marks in the 10th standard.
In sports, Mohammed Aiz, a football player from GEMS Legacy School, Dubai, a native of Mangaluru, was congratulated and presented with the Sports Excellence Award by the dignitaries present at the ceremony.
Financial assistance announcement
On the occasion, K.S. Nissar Ahmed announced financial assistance for Sahebaan community students who are unable to pursue higher education after PUC due to economic constraints. He also announced financial support for the marriage of underprivileged girls from the community. This was informed by Althaf M.S. of the Sahebaan community.
Day-long sports and cultural activities
Various sports competitions and recreational activities were organised throughout the day for senior citizens, youngsters, women and children. Participants enthusiastically took part, sharing moments of joy and togetherness.
The event included cooking competitions, quizzes, fun games for all age groups and several entertaining contests that drew large participation. Hundreds took part in these activities, making them a major attraction.
The evening cultural programme began with Quran recitation by Haroon Naveed, followed by an Islamic Nasheed sung by 22 children. A special ‘Teddy & Me’ performance by 16 young children delighted the audience, while a children’s Qawwali performance received warm appreciation. The programme also featured the national anthem, a children’s skit, and prize distribution to winners of various competitions.
Videos highlighting the journey of the Sahebaan organisation and the contributions of K.S. Nissar Ahmed, noted businessman Hidayatullah Abbas, Chairman of the Hidayath Group, and H.M. Afroz Assadi was screened. Gifts and raffle draw prizes were also distributed during the event.
Organisers and anchoring
The event was organised with the support of Alhtaf M.S., Akram, Ajmal Mohammed, Althaf Khalifa, Mohammed Sameeullah, Suhail Kudroli, Mohammed Asif, Nayeem Khan, and women organisers Farveen Assadi, Reena Althaf and Sahar Asif.
Althaf M.S. delivered the welcome address, while Ajmal Mohammed proposed the vote of thanks. The entire day’s programme was smoothly compered by Hisrar Tallani from Mangaluru and Aliya Imtiyaz Khan.
The UAE ‘Sahebaan’ Family Get-Together concluded on a note of unity, celebration and community bonding.
