UK Labour leader Keir Starmer has reversed the government’s plan to delay local elections following a court challenge initiated by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage. The legal action put pressure on the Labour government, forcing a retreat and ensuring that local elections will proceed as originally scheduled. The move has sparked debates over political accountability, legal intervention, and democratic processes in the United Kingdom.

Starmer Retreats: Labour Government Retreats After Election Delay Backlash

California US Presidential Elections results 2024: Besides choosing between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris for president, the largest US state of California voted in a number of elections on November 5.&nbsp;

The seat of Hollywood and Silicon Valley is considered a liberal state, having favoured Democrats through most of its electoral history.

Here are the latest results of the 2024 general election in California.&nbsp;

Watch: Everything You Need To Know About The US Presidential Elections

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<h2>Presidential elections in California: Harris ahead</h2>

California was won by its native candidate Kamala Harris, with 54 Electoral College votes going her way. This is the biggest in the nation, but it could not prevent her from losing the national race to Donald Trump.

Long considered a strong Democratic base or 'blue state', California's electoral college has favoured Democratic presidential candidates since 1992.

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At the time of writing this, over 55 per cent of votes in California were counted, with Harris having 57.3 per cent, or 5.75 million. Trump got 40.1 per cent, with 4.02 mn votes.

In the past, California gave Democrats a majority of 10 per cent or more, except in 2004 when John Kerry won it by 9.95%.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-rally-suspect-wrongfully-arrested-for-assassination-bid-sues-california-sheriff-768351">Also read: Trump rally suspect wrongfully arrested for assassination bid sues California sheriff</a>

In 2020, Joe Biden got 63.5 per cent of the popular vote, which was the highest vote share of any candidate since 1936.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Harris was California's state attorney general in 2011-2017 and a Senator in 2017-2021 before becoming the vice president.

She also has the distinction of being the first Californian to be a major party's presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan, a Republican, in 1984. 
&nbsp;

Herbert Hoover, Richard Nixon and Reagan were&nbsp;Californians who became president.

<h2>California US House of Representatives Election results&nbsp;</h2>

All congressional districts of California held elections for the House of Representatives, to choose 52 representatives.

At the time of writing this, 40 of the 52 races have been called by Associated Press News Agency, with Democrats leading in 36, and Republicans in 4.

&nbsp;

<h2>US Senate Election results in California</h2>

One seat to the US Senate went for election, but there was an oddity.&nbsp;Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein died in office in September 2023. This meant there were two elections on the ballot in the same Senate seat: One to fill the remainder of Feinstein's term till January 3, 2025, and another for the full term that will end in January 2031.

At the time of writing this, AP has called the Senate race in California for Democratic Adam Schiff, who won more than 57 per cent of the votes.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/los-angeles-times-journalist-resigns-after-owner-blocks-endorsement-of-perfectly-decent-kamala-harris-770326">Also read: Los Angeles Times journalist resigns after owner blocks endorsement of 'perfectly decent' Kamala Harris</a>

<h2>California State Assembly and Senate elections 2024&nbsp;</h2>

Elections were held for all the 80 seats of the California State Assembly members and half of the state Senate that are in odd numbers.&nbsp;

There were also a number of local office elections happening on November 5.&nbsp;

Besides these, Californians&nbsp;also voted on ballot measures that address issues like taxation, health care and education. 
 
The results of these will be updated soon.

(With inputs from agencies)

California US Presidential Elections results 2024: Besides choosing between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris for president, the largest US state of California voted in a number of elections on November 5.

California US Presidential Elections results 2024: Besides choosing between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris for president, the largest US state of California voted in a number of elections on November 5. The seat of Hollywood and Silicon Valley is considered a liberal state, having favoured Democrats through most of its electoral history. Here are the latest results of the 2024 general election in California. Watch: Everything You Need To Know About The US Presidential Elections × Presidential elections in California: Harris ahead California was won by its native candidate Kamala Harris, with 54 Electoral College votes going her way. This is the biggest in the nation, but it could not prevent her from losing the national race to Donald Trump. Long considered a strong Democratic base or 'blue state', California's electoral college has favoured Democratic presidential candidates since 1992. At the time of writing this, over 55 per cent of votes in California were counted, with Harris having 57.3 per cent, or 5.75 million. Trump got 40.1 per cent, with 4.02 mn votes. In the past, California gave Democrats a majority of 10 per cent or more, except in 2004 when John Kerry won it by 9.95%. Also read: Trump rally suspect wrongfully arrested for assassination bid sues California sheriff In 2020, Joe Biden got 63.5 per cent of the popular vote, which was the highest vote share of any candidate since 1936. Harris was California's state attorney general in 2011-2017 and a Senator in 2017-2021 before becoming the vice president. She also has the distinction of being the first Californian to be a major party's presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan, a Republican, in 1984. Herbert Hoover, Richard Nixon and Reagan were Californians who became president. California US House of Representatives Election results All congressional districts of California held elections for the House of Representatives, to choose 52 representatives. At the time of writing this, 40 of the 52 races have been called by Associated Press News Agency, with Democrats leading in 36, and Republicans in 4. US Senate Election results in California One seat to the US Senate went for election, but there was an oddity. Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein died in office in September 2023. This meant there were two elections on the ballot in the same Senate seat: One to fill the remainder of Feinstein's term till January 3, 2025, and another for the full term that will end in January 2031. At the time of writing this, AP has called the Senate race in California for Democratic Adam Schiff, who won more than 57 per cent of the votes. Also read: Los Angeles Times journalist resigns after owner blocks endorsement of 'perfectly decent' Kamala Harris California State Assembly and Senate elections 2024 Elections were held for all the 80 seats of the California State Assembly members and half of the state Senate that are in odd numbers. There were also a number of local office elections happening on November 5. Besides these, Californians also voted on ballot measures that address issues like taxation, health care and education. The results of these will be updated soon. (With inputs from agencies)

California US Presidential Elections results 2024: House, Senate, local elections - What we know

In Britain, embattled Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing more pressure on Friday (May 3) as his party lost another seat to the main opposition Labour, which is making gains in the just-concluded local elections.

UK local Polls 2024: Tories suffer catastrophic loss, Labour party makes gaians across England

Counting is underway across the United Kingdom after voters headed to the polls on Thursday. Sir Keir's Labour Party has made key gains in the early results, while Rishi Sunak's Conservatives are bracing for widespread losses.

Conservatives face challenge from Liberal Democrats and Reform UK

UK: Labour makes early gains in local elections

Voters across England and Wales have casted their ballots for 107 local authorities, as well as 11 mayoral seats. Meanwhile, Londoners will also pick London assembly members too. Watch in for more details!

UK: Voting takes place for Local and Mayoral elections

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under fire at home. The prime minister's office has confirmed that it financed work on Netanyahu's private pool at his residence coming at a time when Israel is at war with Hamas. This Revelation is expectedly triggering much criticism. The fresh criticism for Netanyahu comes ahead of the Municipal elections in the country, 7 million Israelis are eligible to vote for Mayors or local Council heads in 197 municipal authorities and 44 local councils. The polling was originally scheduled for October 31st last year, weeks after the war began against Hamas. Watch to know more!

Israel Local Elections: Voter turnout uncertain amid threat of rocket attacks

After making significant gains in the Northern Ireland 2023 council elections, Sinn Féin is now the largest party for the first time in both local government as well as Stormont. When all votes were tallied, the party has gained 144 seats, an increase from the 105 council members elected in 2019.

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill urged the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to stop opposing power-sharing at Stormont. The Alliance Party, a centre-right party, is in third place behind the DUP which has 122 seats.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-streamlines-marriage-registration-process-for-migrant-workers-amid-looming-population-crisis-594576">China streamlines marriage registration process for migrant workers amid looming population crisis</a>

The DUP's objection of the post-Brexit trading regulations has prevented the parliament and governing executive of Stormont from operating. The largest party at Stormont following the assembly elections last year was Sinn Féin, but now it also thrives at the local government level. The outcome of the council election was dubbed "historic" by O'Neill.

She said that the goal of Sinn Féin's campaign, which has seen it gain ground in places like Coleraine, Ballymena, and Lisburn, was to provide "positive leadership, it was about a restoration of the executive, it was about making politics work".

Watch | Ukraine's Zelensky at centre of last day of G7 summit

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Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the head of the DUP, stated that his party wants to increase its support in order to have a mandate to ask for modifications to the post-Brexit laws so it could return to Stormont. "That's about ensuring that Northern Ireland's ability to trade with the rest of the United Kingdom is not only respected but protected in law, and that our place in the union is restored," he said.

<h2>Preference votes, seats&nbsp;</h2>

The Alliance Party now has 67 councillors, up from 52. The party finished third in the 2022 assembly election as well. The first-ever council seats in Ballyclare, Fermanagh, and Limavady are included in this.

First preference votes rose for Sinn Féin, the Alliance, and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) from the 2019 council election. A 7.7% rise gave Sinn Féin a 30.9 per cent&nbsp;of the vote. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) both had declines in first preference vote share. The DUP's share of the vote went down to 23.3 per cent from 23.8 per cent.

<h2>Northern Ireland main parties</h2>

The main parties in Northern Ireland are Sinn Féin (SF) and the Social Democratic and Labour party (SDLP), which represent Irish nationalists, and the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) and Ulster Unionist party (UUP), who represent the unionist community. Alliance is a cross-community, centrist party. Independents run for certain seats with Green party candidates. The three major British parties—Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat—have a longstanding practice of not fielding candidates. 
 
&nbsp;

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After making significant gains in the Northern Ireland 2023 council elections, Sinn Féin is now the largest party for the first time in both local government as well as Stormont.

After making significant gains in the Northern Ireland 2023 council elections, Sinn Féin is now the largest party for the first time in both local government as well as Stormont. When all votes were tallied, the party has gained 144 seats, an increase from the 105 council members elected in 2019. Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill urged the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to stop opposing power-sharing at Stormont. The Alliance Party, a centre-right party, is in third place behind the DUP which has 122 seats. Also Read | China streamlines marriage registration process for migrant workers amid looming population crisis The DUP's objection of the post-Brexit trading regulations has prevented the parliament and governing executive of Stormont from operating. The largest party at Stormont following the assembly elections last year was Sinn Féin, but now it also thrives at the local government level. The outcome of the council election was dubbed "historic" by O'Neill. She said that the goal of Sinn Féin's campaign, which has seen it gain ground in places like Coleraine, Ballymena, and Lisburn, was to provide "positive leadership, it was about a restoration of the executive, it was about making politics work". Watch | Ukraine's Zelensky at centre of last day of G7 summit × Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the head of the DUP, stated that his party wants to increase its support in order to have a mandate to ask for modifications to the post-Brexit laws so it could return to Stormont. "That's about ensuring that Northern Ireland's ability to trade with the rest of the United Kingdom is not only respected but protected in law, and that our place in the union is restored," he said. Preference votes, seats The Alliance Party now has 67 councillors, up from 52. The party finished third in the 2022 assembly election as well. The first-ever council seats in Ballyclare, Fermanagh, and Limavady are included in this. First preference votes rose for Sinn Féin, the Alliance, and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) from the 2019 council election. A 7.7% rise gave Sinn Féin a 30.9 per cent of the vote. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) both had declines in first preference vote share. The DUP's share of the vote went down to 23.3 per cent from 23.8 per cent. Northern Ireland main parties The main parties in Northern Ireland are Sinn Féin (SF) and the Social Democratic and Labour party (SDLP), which represent Irish nationalists, and the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) and Ulster Unionist party (UUP), who represent the unionist community. Alliance is a cross-community, centrist party. Independents run for certain seats with Green party candidates. The three major British parties—Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat—have a longstanding practice of not fielding candidates. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Northern Ireland council elections 2023: Sinn Fein becomes largest party in local government

Rishi Sunak suffered devastating losses of more than 1,000 Tory seats in the local elections, while Labour&nbsp;claimed that the party is on pace to take power at the next general election.&nbsp;The prime minister acknowledged the English council results were "disappointing" on Friday, but he was met with a harsh response from some of his MPs and the first signs of a challenge to his leadership from Boris Johnson's allies.

Gaining more than 500 seats gave Labour leader Keir Starmer encouragement, and the party believes that with its anticipated vote share, it will be in a position to take power in 2024 for the first time in 14 years, reported the Guardian.

According to projections made by the BBC, using just local results from England, Labour received 35 per cent&nbsp;of the vote, followed by the Conservatives (26 per cent), the Lib Dems (20&nbsp;per cent)), and other parties with (19&nbsp;per cent).

With an equal vote share advantage of eight–nine&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;over the Tories, Labour anticipated this would be its best local election performance since 1997 on Friday night. If this happened again in a Westminster election, according to Labour sources, it might lead to a Starmer majority government.&nbsp;

In addition to gaining ground on the Conservatives in the north and the Midlands of England, Labour also won control of southern councils like Plymouth, Swindon, Dover, and Medway. This has not happened since the days of the local government's inception.

The party achieved unexpected victories in Hertsmere, Hertfordshire, the residence of Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, when the Tories lost overall control of the council.

The Tories lost more than 1,000 council seats by the end of Friday as&nbsp;bad news kept coming in throughout the day, and other councils were yet to publish their results.

“Make no mistake, we are on course for a Labour majority at the next general election,”&nbsp;Starmer stated, after previously warning his shadow party to exercise care and not becoming complacent about their chances of success.

More than 400 seats won by the Liberal Democrats against the Tories in the south of England raised their aspirations of being kingmakers in any hung parliament at the next election.

Their wins included Stratford-upon-Avon, the residence of the former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, and Windsor and Maidenhead, the local council of the former prime minister Theresa May.

A hung parliament was also predicted by the Scottish National Party, whose leader in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, asserted that it was "increasingly clear the SNP can hold the balance of power after the next election". 
&nbsp;

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Rishi Sunak suffered devastating losses of more than 1,000 Tory seats in the local elections, while Labour claimed that the party is on pace to take power at the next general election.

Rishi Sunak suffered devastating losses of more than 1,000 Tory seats in the local elections, while Labour claimed that the party is on pace to take power at the next general election. The prime minister acknowledged the English council results were "disappointing" on Friday, but he was met with a harsh response from some of his MPs and the first signs of a challenge to his leadership from Boris Johnson's allies. Gaining more than 500 seats gave Labour leader Keir Starmer encouragement, and the party believes that with its anticipated vote share, it will be in a position to take power in 2024 for the first time in 14 years, reported the Guardian. According to projections made by the BBC, using just local results from England, Labour received 35 per cent of the vote, followed by the Conservatives (26 per cent), the Lib Dems (20 per cent)), and other parties with (19 per cent). With an equal vote share advantage of eight–nine per cent over the Tories, Labour anticipated this would be its best local election performance since 1997 on Friday night. If this happened again in a Westminster election, according to Labour sources, it might lead to a Starmer majority government. In addition to gaining ground on the Conservatives in the north and the Midlands of England, Labour also won control of southern councils like Plymouth, Swindon, Dover, and Medway. This has not happened since the days of the local government's inception. The party achieved unexpected victories in Hertsmere, Hertfordshire, the residence of Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, when the Tories lost overall control of the council. The Tories lost more than 1,000 council seats by the end of Friday as bad news kept coming in throughout the day, and other councils were yet to publish their results. “Make no mistake, we are on course for a Labour majority at the next general election,” Starmer stated, after previously warning his shadow party to exercise care and not becoming complacent about their chances of success. More than 400 seats won by the Liberal Democrats against the Tories in the south of England raised their aspirations of being kingmakers in any hung parliament at the next election. Their wins included Stratford-upon-Avon, the residence of the former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, and Windsor and Maidenhead, the local council of the former prime minister Theresa May. A hung parliament was also predicted by the Scottish National Party, whose leader in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, asserted that it was "increasingly clear the SNP can hold the balance of power after the next election". WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UK: PM Rishi Sunak faces questions on leadership as Tories suffer severe drubbing in local elections

UK PM Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party suffered a net loss of 235 seats on local councils in England with voters unhappy over political scandals, sluggish economic growth and high inflation.

Sunak's Conservative party suffers net loss of 235 seats in early election results

UK local elections 2023: Early results showed the ruling Conservative Party had lost around 200 seats in the elections for over 8,000 seats on 230 local councils across England. The opposition Labour Party and the centrist Liberal Democrats made significant gains, with the latter seizing control from the Conservatives in Windsor, an affluent town west of London. The elections are seen as a test of support for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government as the country approaches a general election due by the end of 2024.

<h2>Sunak facing heat for the actions of his predecessor</h2>

While some contests focused on local issues such as potholes and garbage collection, voters seemed to have punished the Conservatives for the turmoil that engulfed the party under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who resigned amid multiple scandals.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: The untold story of Rishi Sunak

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Then as the new prime minister, Liz Truss&nbsp;faced criticism for her rash tax-cutting plans, which spooked financial markets, hammered the value of the pound, and roiled the wider British economy. Sunak, a smooth former banker, was later chosen to restore stability to the economy and the government.

<h2>Conservatives acknowledge ‘disappointing results’</h2>

Sunak acknowledged the "disappointing" results for the Conservatives but insisted that "it's still early" in terms of the overall results. Greg Hands, the Conservative party chair, also admitted it was a disappointing night for the party. He said, “We always said it would be a difficult night for the party, the independent projections were all that we were going to lose 1,000 seats.” 
 
“It’s still early days so far but if I might say, it’s not been that great a result for Labour in some areas,” he added.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-prime-minister-rishi-sunak-faces-questions-in-parliament-says-choice-before-country-is-clear-588588">UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces questions in Parliament, says 'choice before country is clear'</a>

<h2>Labour says it will achieve majority in general elections</h2>

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, claimed that his party was on the course for the majority in the upcoming general elections. He said this in Medway, where Labour has won control of the council for the first time since 1998.

Labour Party's national campaign coordinator, Shabana Mahmood, also said that the results put Labour on course to win a majority of seats in the&nbsp;general election. The party gained control of at least three new councils, and the results have been a disaster for Sunak, said Mahmood.

<h2>Local elections don’t reflect the complete picture</h2>

Overall, the results are not a complete snapshot of the UK as there were no elections in London, Scotland, or Wales, while Northern Ireland is set to vote on May 18. However, the early results have shown that the Conservatives are losing support while the opposition is gaining ground.

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UK local elections 2023: Early results showed the ruling Conservative Party had lost around 200 seats in the elections for over 8,000 seats on 230 local councils across England.

UK local elections 2023: Early results showed the ruling Conservative Party had lost around 200 seats in the elections for over 8,000 seats on 230 local councils across England. The opposition Labour Party and the centrist Liberal Democrats made significant gains, with the latter seizing control from the Conservatives in Windsor, an affluent town west of London. The elections are seen as a test of support for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government as the country approaches a general election due by the end of 2024. Sunak facing heat for the actions of his predecessor While some contests focused on local issues such as potholes and garbage collection, voters seemed to have punished the Conservatives for the turmoil that engulfed the party under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who resigned amid multiple scandals. Watch: Gravitas Plus: The untold story of Rishi Sunak × Then as the new prime minister, Liz Truss faced criticism for her rash tax-cutting plans, which spooked financial markets, hammered the value of the pound, and roiled the wider British economy. Sunak, a smooth former banker, was later chosen to restore stability to the economy and the government. Conservatives acknowledge ‘disappointing results’ Sunak acknowledged the "disappointing" results for the Conservatives but insisted that "it's still early" in terms of the overall results. Greg Hands, the Conservative party chair, also admitted it was a disappointing night for the party. He said, “We always said it would be a difficult night for the party, the independent projections were all that we were going to lose 1,000 seats.” “It’s still early days so far but if I might say, it’s not been that great a result for Labour in some areas,” he added. Also Read | UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces questions in Parliament, says 'choice before country is clear' Labour says it will achieve majority in general elections Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, claimed that his party was on the course for the majority in the upcoming general elections. He said this in Medway, where Labour has won control of the council for the first time since 1998. Labour Party's national campaign coordinator, Shabana Mahmood, also said that the results put Labour on course to win a majority of seats in the general election. The party gained control of at least three new councils, and the results have been a disaster for Sunak, said Mahmood. Local elections don’t reflect the complete picture Overall, the results are not a complete snapshot of the UK as there were no elections in London, Scotland, or Wales, while Northern Ireland is set to vote on May 18. However, the early results have shown that the Conservatives are losing support while the opposition is gaining ground. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

UK local elections 2023: ‘Disappointing‘ results for Tories as Labour makes solid gains

Voters across England are heading to the polls today as voting opens in this year's local elections. More than 8,000 council seats in England are up for grabs across 230 local authorities, ranging from small rural areas to some of the largest towns and cities.

Voters head to polls in England's local elections

French President Emmanuel Macron could face possible legal problems. After the country's financial prosecutor opened an investigation into suspected illegal financing of electoral campaigns in 2017 and 2022. Watch full video to know more.

French President Emmanuel Macron's election campaign under scanner

The Brits are electing their municipal councils. A survey before the polls claimed that the Conservatives could lose over 500 seats. How will a loss affect the political future of Boris Johnson? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: UK local elections: Conservatives stare at defeat

People across the UK are getting ready to head to their local polling station to vote in the local elections 2022. According to a latest opinion poll, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative party will lose nearly 550 seats this time.

United Kingdom gets ready for local elections on May 5

The leaders of the ruling alliance on Tuesday agreed to hold local elections in April and May, as proposed by the country’s Election Commission.

A meeting was convened by the ruling five-party alliance led by Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar to decide on the fate of elections.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, who is also a member of the committee, said the elections will be held on time.&nbsp;

“The discussion was focused on holding the local election on time. The election will be held as per the provision in the Constitution. We have been consulting with the Election Commission,” Karki said.&nbsp;

Underlining the government’s commitment to strengthen federalism, he said, “The government is serious about making federalism stronger and provide effective service to the people through the local government by holding elections on time as mandated by the Constitution.”

The meeting, which saw the attendance of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Federal Council Chairman of Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Baburam Bhattarai, Rashtriya Janamorcha vice-chair Durga Paudel among others, also discussed the upcoming national assembly elections that are scheduled to be held on January 26.&nbsp;

For a long time, local level polls, as proposed by Election Commission, remained in limbo as major political parties were seeking more time for preparations.

The Election Commission set the date for local polls on April 27, if it were to be held in a single phase. And April 27 and May 5, if it is held in two phases.

The main opposition CPN-UML is pressing for holding local elections on the commission-proposed date, while the ruling coalition partners the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the CPN (Unified Socialist) wanted to delay it.

The local elections are going to be held in six metropolitan cities, 11 sub-metropolitan cities, 276 municipalities and 460 rural municipalities.

It will be the second time that local level elections would be held since the adoption of the new constitution in September 2015.

The leaders of the ruling alliance on Tuesday agreed to hold local elections in April and May, as proposed by the country’s Election Commission. A meeting was convened by the ruling five-party alliance led by Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar to decide on the fate of elections.

The leaders of the ruling alliance on Tuesday agreed to hold local elections in April and May, as proposed by the country’s Election Commission. A meeting was convened by the ruling five-party alliance led by Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar to decide on the fate of elections. Government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, who is also a member of the committee, said the elections will be held on time. “The discussion was focused on holding the local election on time. The election will be held as per the provision in the Constitution. We have been consulting with the Election Commission,” Karki said. Underlining the government’s commitment to strengthen federalism, he said, “The government is serious about making federalism stronger and provide effective service to the people through the local government by holding elections on time as mandated by the Constitution.” The meeting, which saw the attendance of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Federal Council Chairman of Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Baburam Bhattarai, Rashtriya Janamorcha vice-chair Durga Paudel among others, also discussed the upcoming national assembly elections that are scheduled to be held on January 26. For a long time, local level polls, as proposed by Election Commission, remained in limbo as major political parties were seeking more time for preparations. The Election Commission set the date for local polls on April 27, if it were to be held in a single phase. And April 27 and May 5, if it is held in two phases. The main opposition CPN-UML is pressing for holding local elections on the commission-proposed date, while the ruling coalition partners the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the CPN (Unified Socialist) wanted to delay it. The local elections are going to be held in six metropolitan cities, 11 sub-metropolitan cities, 276 municipalities and 460 rural municipalities. It will be the second time that local level elections would be held since the adoption of the new constitution in September 2015.

Nepal's ruling coalition parties agree to hold local elections in April 

The New York City Council has passed a legislation granting voting rights to hundreds of thousands of lawful non-citizens, allowing a previously disenfranchised sector of the city's taxpayers to participate in the democratic process.

With the assistance of a number of advocacy groups, the motion was easily adopted by the City Council, who argued that New York's lawful permanent residents have the right to vote on who runs the city and how their tax dollars are spent.

If the law is passed and survives court challenges, New York City would become the largest jurisdiction in the United States to allow noncitizen voting.

Noncitizens would still be denied the right to vote in state and federal elections.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Number of homeless people rise to record levels in New York City

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/number-of-homeless-people-rise-to-record-levels-in-new-york-city-392690/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The city of New York has a large immigrant population.

Approximately 900,000 of the city's 7 million adult population are voting-age, lawful permanent residents.

As a result of the legislation, hundreds of thousands of those residents would be able to vote in municipal elections, including the nationally significant mayoral contest.

Noncitizen residents who have lived in the city for at least 30 days, including green card holders, DACA recipients, and those who are lawfully authorised to work in the country, are covered by the voting rights statute.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The New York City Council has passed a legislation granting voting rights to hundreds of thousands of lawful non-citizens, allowing a previously disenfranchised sector of the city's taxpayers to participate in the democratic process.

The New York City Council has passed a legislation granting voting rights to hundreds of thousands of lawful non-citizens, allowing a previously disenfranchised sector of the city's taxpayers to participate in the democratic process. With the assistance of a number of advocacy groups, the motion was easily adopted by the City Council, who argued that New York's lawful permanent residents have the right to vote on who runs the city and how their tax dollars are spent. If the law is passed and survives court challenges, New York City would become the largest jurisdiction in the United States to allow noncitizen voting. Noncitizens would still be denied the right to vote in state and federal elections. Watch | Number of homeless people rise to record levels in New York City The city of New York has a large immigrant population. Approximately 900,000 of the city's 7 million adult population are voting-age, lawful permanent residents. As a result of the legislation, hundreds of thousands of those residents would be able to vote in municipal elections, including the nationally significant mayoral contest. Noncitizen residents who have lived in the city for at least 30 days, including green card holders, DACA recipients, and those who are lawfully authorised to work in the country, are covered by the voting rights statute. (With inputs from agencies)

Now, non-citizens to vote in local elections in New York City, lawmakers pass bill

People in North Korea began voting in local elections on Sunday.The elections, which take place every four years, are to endorse candidates for provincial, city, and county people's assemblies

Election of local representatives in North Korea

Turkey voted in local elections on Sunday in a test for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with his ruling party fighting to keep hold of the country's two key cities as an economic slowdown takes hold.

Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) have won every vote since the party first came to power in 2002 but this time, analysts say, the party risks losing Turkey's capital Ankara and even its economic hub Istanbul.

Sunday's poll was the first municipal ballot since Turks approved constitutional reforms in 2017 to create an executive presidency that gave Erdogan wider powers after a decade and a half in office.

But Erdogan, whose ability to win continuously at the ballot box is unparalleled in Turkish history, appears more vulnerable with the country's economy in recession, unemployment up and inflation in double digits.

Voting closed at 1400 GMT in Sunday's ballot, which was held mostly without incident, with the exception of the deaths of two men killed in a fight at a polling station in the east of Turkey.

Much of the AKP's success has been down to his perceived economic prowess, but days before the vote, the Turkish lira was sliding again, provoking memories of the 2018 currency crisis that badly hurt Turkish households.

Erdogan, who began his own political career as Istanbul mayor, personally campaigned hard across Turkey, often with several rallies a day, even though he is not on the ballot.

Looking to galvanize his base among conservative Turks, the president cast the election as a matter of survival, attacking opposition candidates by branding them as linked to PKK Kurdish militants.

"The economy is terrible," said Husnu Acar, 53, after voting in a school in Beylikduzu on the outskirts of Istanbul.

"They are the ones with a survival problem," he said of the AKP.

Voters are to elect scores of mayors, municipal councils and other local officials. Preliminary results are expected soon after polls close with official results released early in the week.

Two members of Saadet (Felicity), a religiously conservative party, were killed after an attack by an AKP candidate's nephew in a polling station in Malatya, eastern Turkey, Saadet chairman Temel Karamollaoglu said on Twitter.&nbsp;

The two men, one of whom was also an election observer, died after a fight between two groups in Puturge district, private DHA news agency reported. The Malatya governorate said four individuals were detained.

Erdogan said the incident was "upsetting" after he voted in Istanbul, and he called Karamollaoglu shortly afterwards to offer his condolences, the presidency said.

Charges of an unfair vote 
For his supporters, Erdogan remains the strong leader they believe Turkey needs and they tout the country's economic development over the 16 years he and the AKP have been in power.&nbsp;

But rights activists and even Turkey's Western allies say that under his leadership, democracy has been eroded, particularly after a failed 2016 coup that led to tens of thousands of people being arrested.

"The economy isn't doing so good for sure, but I have confidence in our president and things will be better after the election," said Koksal Karacan, a retiree voting in Istanbul's Kasimpasa, where Erdogan grew up.

The vote will be the first time since 2002 that the AKP is fielding candidates with its alliance partner, the rightwing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

The opposition pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has refused to field candidates in several cities, saying the elections are unfair. Some of its leaders have been jailed on terror charges, accusations they reject.

The HDP criticised the detentions of candidates and its members in the run-up to the vote in a statement on Sunday, accusing the government of trying "to paralyse the HDP organisationally, and render the playing field even more uneven".

Observers say that with most media either pro-government or controlled by the president's supporters, opposition parties campaigned at a disadvantage because Erdogan's daily rallies dominated TV coverage.

"What has happened during the campaign for Sunday's local elections is unprecedented and demonstrates that — unlike during its first years in power — the AKP is no longer confident of being able to win a fair election," said Gareth Jenkins, a non-resident senior research fellow at the Silk Road Studies Programme.

'Boss of the economy' 
In Istanbul, where the race is expected to be tight, Erdogan has fielded one of his loyalists, former prime minister Binali Yildirim.

But in Ankara, Mansur Yavas — the candidate for both the opposition Republican People's Party or CHP and the nationalist Good Party — might have a stronger chance of winning, according to a number of recent polls.

With inflation at just under 20 percent and unemployment at a near 10-year high in December, Erdogan has sought to reassure voters about the economy.

"I am the boss of the economy right now as the president of this country," Erdogan told a rally on Saturday.

Turkey's finance minister, Berat Albayrak, who is Erdogan's son-in-law, said economic reforms would be announced the week of April 8.

Turkey voted in local elections on Sunday in a test for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with his ruling party fighting to keep hold of the country's two key cities as an economic slowdown takes hold.

Turkey voted in local elections on Sunday in a test for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with his ruling party fighting to keep hold of the country's two key cities as an economic slowdown takes hold. Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) have won every vote since the party first came to power in 2002 but this time, analysts say, the party risks losing Turkey's capital Ankara and even its economic hub Istanbul. Sunday's poll was the first municipal ballot since Turks approved constitutional reforms in 2017 to create an executive presidency that gave Erdogan wider powers after a decade and a half in office. But Erdogan, whose ability to win continuously at the ballot box is unparalleled in Turkish history, appears more vulnerable with the country's economy in recession, unemployment up and inflation in double digits. Voting closed at 1400 GMT in Sunday's ballot, which was held mostly without incident, with the exception of the deaths of two men killed in a fight at a polling station in the east of Turkey. Much of the AKP's success has been down to his perceived economic prowess, but days before the vote, the Turkish lira was sliding again, provoking memories of the 2018 currency crisis that badly hurt Turkish households. Erdogan, who began his own political career as Istanbul mayor, personally campaigned hard across Turkey, often with several rallies a day, even though he is not on the ballot. Looking to galvanize his base among conservative Turks, the president cast the election as a matter of survival, attacking opposition candidates by branding them as linked to PKK Kurdish militants. "The economy is terrible," said Husnu Acar, 53, after voting in a school in Beylikduzu on the outskirts of Istanbul. "They are the ones with a survival problem," he said of the AKP. Voters are to elect scores of mayors, municipal councils and other local officials. Preliminary results are expected soon after polls close with official results released early in the week. Two members of Saadet (Felicity), a religiously conservative party, were killed after an attack by an AKP candidate's nephew in a polling station in Malatya, eastern Turkey, Saadet chairman Temel Karamollaoglu said on Twitter. The two men, one of whom was also an election observer, died after a fight between two groups in Puturge district, private DHA news agency reported. The Malatya governorate said four individuals were detained. Erdogan said the incident was "upsetting" after he voted in Istanbul, and he called Karamollaoglu shortly afterwards to offer his condolences, the presidency said. Charges of an unfair vote For his supporters, Erdogan remains the strong leader they believe Turkey needs and they tout the country's economic development over the 16 years he and the AKP have been in power. But rights activists and even Turkey's Western allies say that under his leadership, democracy has been eroded, particularly after a failed 2016 coup that led to tens of thousands of people being arrested. "The economy isn't doing so good for sure, but I have confidence in our president and things will be better after the election," said Koksal Karacan, a retiree voting in Istanbul's Kasimpasa, where Erdogan grew up. The vote will be the first time since 2002 that the AKP is fielding candidates with its alliance partner, the rightwing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The opposition pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has refused to field candidates in several cities, saying the elections are unfair. Some of its leaders have been jailed on terror charges, accusations they reject. The HDP criticised the detentions of candidates and its members in the run-up to the vote in a statement on Sunday, accusing the government of trying "to paralyse the HDP organisationally, and render the playing field even more uneven". Observers say that with most media either pro-government or controlled by the president's supporters, opposition parties campaigned at a disadvantage because Erdogan's daily rallies dominated TV coverage. "What has happened during the campaign for Sunday's local elections is unprecedented and demonstrates that — unlike during its first years in power — the AKP is no longer confident of being able to win a fair election," said Gareth Jenkins, a non-resident senior research fellow at the Silk Road Studies Programme. 'Boss of the economy' In Istanbul, where the race is expected to be tight, Erdogan has fielded one of his loyalists, former prime minister Binali Yildirim. But in Ankara, Mansur Yavas — the candidate for both the opposition Republican People's Party or CHP and the nationalist Good Party — might have a stronger chance of winning, according to a number of recent polls. With inflation at just under 20 percent and unemployment at a near 10-year high in December, Erdogan has sought to reassure voters about the economy. "I am the boss of the economy right now as the president of this country," Erdogan told a rally on Saturday. Turkey's finance minister, Berat Albayrak, who is Erdogan's son-in-law, said economic reforms would be announced the week of April 8.

Turks vote in test for Erdogan as recession hits home

The African National Congress (ANC) lost its grip on local government in Tshwane, home of the South African capital Pretoria, as results yesterday gave the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) a second big win in the ANC&#39;s worst election since the end of apartheid. 
 
The results of Wednesday&#39;s voting have reshaped the political landscape in South Africa, where the ANC has ruled virtually unopposed since it ended white-minority rule in 1994, led by Nelson Mandela. 
 
Unemployment, economic stagnation and scandals around President Jacob Zuma led voters to punish the ANC, changing the outlook for national elections in 2019 and potentially emboldening Zuma&#39;s rivals within the ANC to challenge him. 
 
Saving some pride, the ANC won in Johannesburg, South Africa&#39;s economic and financial hub, taking 45 per cent of the vote to the DA&#39;s 38 per cent, but will have to form a coalition to govern. 
 
Wins in Tshwane and in Nelson Mandela Bay, which includes the manufacturing hub Port Elizabeth, are a watershed for the DA, which also held Cape Town, a municipality that it has controlled since 2006. 
 
Last year it elected its first black leader, Mmusi Maimane, as it tries to shake off an image of a party mainly serving white interests. 
 
&quot;It signals to everyone that the tide in our country is turning,&quot; Maimane told reporters on yesterday. 
 
The ANC still won the most votes overall&nbsp;and was working to form coalitions in the municipalities where it lost its majority. 
 
&quot;We are into negotiations as we speak,&quot; said Paul Mashatile, the ANC chairman in Gauteng province, which includes Tshwane and Johannesburg. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s quite clear that our people, our traditional supporters, are still with us but maybe not too many people came out to vote so we need to go back and find out why.&quot; 
 
The DA will also need to form coalitions to govern in both Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay. 
 
In his first public remarks since the vote&#39;s outcome, Zuma said South Africa was a &quot;democracy where differences of political opinion and diverse political preferences are allowed to flourish&quot;. 
 
Mismanagement 
 
The ANC has lost support among voters who feel their lives have not improved, and the opposition has accused Zuma of mismanaging the economy. Millions of urban voters are now looking beyond its liberation struggle credentials and focusing on an economy teetering on the edge of a recession. 
 
Zuma rattled investors in December by changing finance ministers twice in a week, sending the rand plummeting. The currency has since recovered and received a boost from the lack of violence during the local elections. 
 
The president survived an impeachment vote in April after the Constitutional Court said he had broken the law by ignoring an order to repay some of $16 million in state funds spent on renovating his private home. Zuma has since said he will repay some of the money, as ordered by the court. 
 
&quot;The ANC may just become a rural party,&quot; said William Gumede, head of the Democracy Works Foundation think-tank. 
 
The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party led by Julius Malema, Zuma&#39;s one-time protege but now arch-foe, came a distant third in the local elections, with about 10 percent of the vote. 
 
Malema has drawn support with promises to nationalise banks and land and redistribute among poor black people wealth still mostly in white hands - policies that both the DA and the ANC have not found palatable. 
 
With the ANC and DA both seeking to rule in Johannesburg and Tshwane, the EFF could be courted where coalitions are needed. 
 
Malema has not revealed who he would back, saying: &quot;If anyone comes to us, we&#39;ll talk.&quot; 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

President Jacob Zuma's mismanagement and scandals have led voters to punish the ANC, emboldening rivals Democratic Alliance

The African National Congress (ANC) lost its grip on local government in Tshwane, home of the South African capital Pretoria, as results yesterday gave the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) a second big win in the ANC's worst election since the end of apartheid. The results of Wednesday's voting have reshaped the political landscape in South Africa, where the ANC has ruled virtually unopposed since it ended white-minority rule in 1994, led by Nelson Mandela. Unemployment, economic stagnation and scandals around President Jacob Zuma led voters to punish the ANC, changing the outlook for national elections in 2019 and potentially emboldening Zuma's rivals within the ANC to challenge him. Saving some pride, the ANC won in Johannesburg, South Africa's economic and financial hub, taking 45 per cent of the vote to the DA's 38 per cent, but will have to form a coalition to govern. Wins in Tshwane and in Nelson Mandela Bay, which includes the manufacturing hub Port Elizabeth, are a watershed for the DA, which also held Cape Town, a municipality that it has controlled since 2006. Last year it elected its first black leader, Mmusi Maimane, as it tries to shake off an image of a party mainly serving white interests. "It signals to everyone that the tide in our country is turning," Maimane told reporters on yesterday. The ANC still won the most votes overall and was working to form coalitions in the municipalities where it lost its majority. "We are into negotiations as we speak," said Paul Mashatile, the ANC chairman in Gauteng province, which includes Tshwane and Johannesburg. "It's quite clear that our people, our traditional supporters, are still with us but maybe not too many people came out to vote so we need to go back and find out why." The DA will also need to form coalitions to govern in both Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay. In his first public remarks since the vote's outcome, Zuma said South Africa was a "democracy where differences of political opinion and diverse political preferences are allowed to flourish". Mismanagement The ANC has lost support among voters who feel their lives have not improved, and the opposition has accused Zuma of mismanaging the economy. Millions of urban voters are now looking beyond its liberation struggle credentials and focusing on an economy teetering on the edge of a recession. Zuma rattled investors in December by changing finance ministers twice in a week, sending the rand plummeting. The currency has since recovered and received a boost from the lack of violence during the local elections. The president survived an impeachment vote in April after the Constitutional Court said he had broken the law by ignoring an order to repay some of $16 million in state funds spent on renovating his private home. Zuma has since said he will repay some of the money, as ordered by the court. "The ANC may just become a rural party," said William Gumede, head of the Democracy Works Foundation think-tank. The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party led by Julius Malema, Zuma's one-time protege but now arch-foe, came a distant third in the local elections, with about 10 percent of the vote. Malema has drawn support with promises to nationalise banks and land and redistribute among poor black people wealth still mostly in white hands - policies that both the DA and the ANC have not found palatable. With the ANC and DA both seeking to rule in Johannesburg and Tshwane, the EFF could be courted where coalitions are needed. Malema has not revealed who he would back, saying: "If anyone comes to us, we'll talk." (Reuters)

South Africa's ANC suffers worst election since taking power

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