Sri Lankans began voting on Saturday for a new president in what could mark a comeback for the Rajapaksa clan, lauded by supporters for crushing the Tamil Tigers but condemned by critics for war crimes, corruption and cosying up to China.

Voting begins in Sri Lanka presidential polls

Sri Lanka presidential election: Who holds the edge?

Over 50 per cent of voters had cast their votes for Haryana assembly polls by 4 pm on Monday while the polling percentage was 43.70 per cent in Maharashtra.

The polling percentage in Haryana was 50.59 per cent in Haryana, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).&nbsp;

The polling percentage was high in some states where assembly by-elections are being held but low in some others.

In Uttar Pradesh where assembly by-poll is being held on 11 seats, the voting percentage was 36.94 per cent. The four seats in Assam recorded a poll percentage of 63.71 per cent, five seats in Bihar of 41.82 per cent, six seats in Gujarat of 40.28 per cent.

The poll percentage was 55.62 per cent for two seats in Himachal Pradesh, 51.65 per cent for five seats in Kerala, 62 per cent for three seats in Sikkim, 58.51 per cent for two seats in Tamil Nadu and 50.49 per cent for four seats in Punjab.

The assembly bypoll for one seat in Arunachal Pradesh recorded a high polling percentage of 89.27 per cent by 4 pm.

It was 56.62 per cent for one seat in Madhya Pradesh, 64.13 per cent for one seat in Meghalaya, 56.50 per cent for one seat in Odisha, 64.14 per cent for one seat in Chhattisgarh, 69.95 per cent for one seat in Telangana and 56.16 per cent in Puducherry. Samasitpur Lok Sabha seat in Bihar recorded 38 per cent voting by 4 pm while Satara in Maharashtra recorded 48.04 per cent.

In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting at 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The assembly elections in Haryana are a multi-cornered contest among the BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.

Over 50 per cent of voters had cast their votes for Haryana assembly polls by 4 pm on Monday while the polling percentage was 43.70 per cent in Maharashtra. The polling percentage in Haryana was 50.

Over 50 per cent of voters had cast their votes for Haryana assembly polls by 4 pm on Monday while the polling percentage was 43.70 per cent in Maharashtra. The polling percentage in Haryana was 50.59 per cent in Haryana, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The polling percentage was high in some states where assembly by-elections are being held but low in some others. In Uttar Pradesh where assembly by-poll is being held on 11 seats, the voting percentage was 36.94 per cent. The four seats in Assam recorded a poll percentage of 63.71 per cent, five seats in Bihar of 41.82 per cent, six seats in Gujarat of 40.28 per cent. The poll percentage was 55.62 per cent for two seats in Himachal Pradesh, 51.65 per cent for five seats in Kerala, 62 per cent for three seats in Sikkim, 58.51 per cent for two seats in Tamil Nadu and 50.49 per cent for four seats in Punjab. The assembly bypoll for one seat in Arunachal Pradesh recorded a high polling percentage of 89.27 per cent by 4 pm. It was 56.62 per cent for one seat in Madhya Pradesh, 64.13 per cent for one seat in Meghalaya, 56.50 per cent for one seat in Odisha, 64.14 per cent for one seat in Chhattisgarh, 69.95 per cent for one seat in Telangana and 56.16 per cent in Puducherry. Samasitpur Lok Sabha seat in Bihar recorded 38 per cent voting by 4 pm while Satara in Maharashtra recorded 48.04 per cent. In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting at 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The assembly elections in Haryana are a multi-cornered contest among the BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.

Haryana registers 50.59% polling by 4 pm, Maharashtra 43.70%

Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Manoj Yadava on Saturday said that the state police administration has made massive security arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of general elections to the Vidhan Sabha on October 21 in the state.

In a statement issued here, the DGP said that State Police have taken all measures and in a very comfortable position to complete the task of the democratic process in a peaceful and incident-free manner.&nbsp;

"As part of election preparedness, the neighbouring states would also deploy maximum force in their territory to ensure sealing of inter-state borders before the election," added Yadava.

A total of more than 75,000 police personnel have been mobilised for election duty. All the Range ADGPs/IGs, Commissioners of Police and district Superintendents of Police have already been instructed to leave no stone unturned for maintaining law and order at their respective places of postings.

The DGP warned that any attempt to disrupt the electoral process would not be tolerated and stern action will be taken against the elements who would try to vitiate the law and order in the State.

Giving details about the security arrangement, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Navdeep Singh Virk said that 130 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed in every nook and corner across the state.

In addition, 26,896 state police personnel, 22,806 home guards volunteers, 7,936 Special Police Officers and 6,001 police trainees are on poll duty to ensure tight vigil and security at all polling stations in the state.

The entire force will prevent any kind of disruption and detect the movement of illegal and unlawful activities along with other law and order duties before as well as on the day of polling.

He said the monitoring has been intensified by the flying squads and other surveillance teams to prevent violation of the Model Code of Conduct, especially the distribution of cash, liquor, and other inducements. As part of the confidence-building measure, security forces are conducting flag marches.

Virk said that police teams also are conducting close monitoring of critical and vulnerable polling stations, which would be covered by the deployment of Central Paramilitary Forces as well as webcasting. He said that police are also keeping a close watch on habitual offenders and other anti-social elements who might try to disrupt the electoral process.&nbsp;

Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Manoj Yadava on Saturday said that the state police administration has made massive security arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of general elections to the Vidhan Sabha on October 21 in the state.

Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Manoj Yadava on Saturday said that the state police administration has made massive security arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of general elections to the Vidhan Sabha on October 21 in the state. In a statement issued here, the DGP said that State Police have taken all measures and in a very comfortable position to complete the task of the democratic process in a peaceful and incident-free manner. "As part of election preparedness, the neighbouring states would also deploy maximum force in their territory to ensure sealing of inter-state borders before the election," added Yadava. A total of more than 75,000 police personnel have been mobilised for election duty. All the Range ADGPs/IGs, Commissioners of Police and district Superintendents of Police have already been instructed to leave no stone unturned for maintaining law and order at their respective places of postings. The DGP warned that any attempt to disrupt the electoral process would not be tolerated and stern action will be taken against the elements who would try to vitiate the law and order in the State. Giving details about the security arrangement, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Navdeep Singh Virk said that 130 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed in every nook and corner across the state. In addition, 26,896 state police personnel, 22,806 home guards volunteers, 7,936 Special Police Officers and 6,001 police trainees are on poll duty to ensure tight vigil and security at all polling stations in the state. The entire force will prevent any kind of disruption and detect the movement of illegal and unlawful activities along with other law and order duties before as well as on the day of polling. He said the monitoring has been intensified by the flying squads and other surveillance teams to prevent violation of the Model Code of Conduct, especially the distribution of cash, liquor, and other inducements. As part of the confidence-building measure, security forces are conducting flag marches. Virk said that police teams also are conducting close monitoring of critical and vulnerable polling stations, which would be covered by the deployment of Central Paramilitary Forces as well as webcasting. He said that police are also keeping a close watch on habitual offenders and other anti-social elements who might try to disrupt the electoral process.

Haryana: Police roll up their sleeves for poll, over 75000 security personnel mobilised for election duty

Congress'&nbsp;Nitish Rane on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-assembly-polls-bjp-announces-first-list-of-125-candidates-253064">Maharashtra polls</a>.

Son of former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane, Nitish was a former Congress MLA.

The polls in the state are scheduled to take place on October 21 and the results will be declared on October 24.

It is likely that Nitesh Rane will contest from the Kankavli seat in the coastal Konkan region.

Nitesh had won the 2014 Assembly elections from Ankavli seat in Sindhudurg district on a Congress ticket.

He defeated the then BJP MLA Pramod Jathar.

Congress' Nitish Rane on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of Maharashtra polls. Son of former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane, Nitish was a former Congress MLA.

Congress' Nitish Rane on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of Maharashtra polls. Son of former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane, Nitish was a former Congress MLA. The polls in the state are scheduled to take place on October 21 and the results will be declared on October 24. It is likely that Nitesh Rane will contest from the Kankavli seat in the coastal Konkan region. Nitesh had won the 2014 Assembly elections from Ankavli seat in Sindhudurg district on a Congress ticket. He defeated the then BJP MLA Pramod Jathar.

Congress' Nitesh Rane joins Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of Maharashtra polls

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Tuesday announced three candidates for upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls.

AIMIM Maharashtra president Syed Imtiaz Jaleel released the list which named Daniel Ramesh Landge Vadgaonsheri from Pune, Mufti Mohd Ismail Abdul Khalik from Malegaon Central and Mohd Feroz Khan (Lala) - Nanded North.

The Assembly election is due in October-November.

Earlier, AIMIM broke ties with Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) saying that the parties could not reach a "comfortable figure" of seat distribution.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Tuesday announced three candidates for upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls. AIMIM Maharashtra president Syed Imtiaz Jaleel released the list which named Daniel Ramesh Landge Vadgaonsheri from Pune, Mufti Mohd Ismail Abdul Khalik from Malegaon Central and Mohd Feroz Khan (Lala) - Nanded North.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Tuesday announced three candidates for upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls. AIMIM Maharashtra president Syed Imtiaz Jaleel released the list which named Daniel Ramesh Landge Vadgaonsheri from Pune, Mufti Mohd Ismail Abdul Khalik from Malegaon Central and Mohd Feroz Khan (Lala) - Nanded North. The Assembly election is due in October-November. Earlier, AIMIM broke ties with Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) saying that the parties could not reach a "comfortable figure" of seat distribution.

AIMIM announces 3 candidates for Maharashtra polls

Greeks began voting on Sunday in a snap election that opinon polls say will bring opposition conservatives to power, ending four years of leftist rule blamed for saddling the country with more debt and mismanaging crises.

The election is largely a showdown of two contenders. Incumbent Alexis Tsipras of the Syriza party is on one side - a 44-year-old radical leftist who stormed to power in 2015 vowing to tear up the austerity rule book only to relent weeks later.

On the other side of the fence is Kyriakos Mitsotakis, 51, of New Democracy. He is from a famous political dynasty - he hopes to follow the footsteps of his father as prime minister, while a sister of his was foreign minister.

Opinion polls put New Democracy's lead at up to 10 percentage points, potentially giving it an absolute majority in the country's 300-seat parliament. Voting starts at 7.00 am and ends at 7.00 pm, with first official projections expected about two hours after voting ends.

Greece endured a debilitating financial crisis from 2010 which saw the country needing a cash lifeline from its European Union partners three times.

The economy is the public's main concern, said Thomas Gerakis of pollsters MARC.

"Voters want to know the government can give Greeks a better tomorrow," he said. Some voters wanted to punish Syriza for reneging on past pledges, he added.

Tsipras was also roundly criticised for mismanagement of crises on his watch, and for brokering a deeply unpopular deal to end a dispute over the name of neighouring North Macedonia.

One hundred people died in a devastating fire which swept through a seaside village east of Athens last year; while Mitsotakis was quick to the scene to console survivors, Tsipras was out of the public eye for several days.

Greece wrapped up its last economic adjustment programme in 2018, but remains under surveillance from lenders to ensure no future fiscal slippage. Though economic growth has returned to the country, unemployment is the euro zone's highest at 18 per cent.

New Democracy has promised to invest in creating well-paid jobs with decent benefits. The outgoing government meanwhile hopes voters will reward it for upping the minimum wage by 11 per cent and reinstating collective bargaining.

Mitsotakis hopes that his reforms will convince lenders to show more flexibility in due course.

"The first thing that is necessary for economic growth to be boosted is a stable government, a strong majority in the next parliament," Mitsotakis told Reuters.

Tsipras says that a vote cast in favour of Mitsotakis would go to the political establishment which forced Greece to the edge of the precipice in the first place.

"Each and every one of you must now consider if, after so many sacrifices, we should return to the days of despair," he told voters, wrapping up the pre-election campaign on Friday.

Greeks began voting on Sunday in a snap election that opinon polls say will bring opposition conservatives to power, ending four years of leftist rule blamed for saddling the country with more debt and mismanaging crises.

Greeks began voting on Sunday in a snap election that opinon polls say will bring opposition conservatives to power, ending four years of leftist rule blamed for saddling the country with more debt and mismanaging crises. The election is largely a showdown of two contenders. Incumbent Alexis Tsipras of the Syriza party is on one side - a 44-year-old radical leftist who stormed to power in 2015 vowing to tear up the austerity rule book only to relent weeks later. On the other side of the fence is Kyriakos Mitsotakis, 51, of New Democracy. He is from a famous political dynasty - he hopes to follow the footsteps of his father as prime minister, while a sister of his was foreign minister. Opinion polls put New Democracy's lead at up to 10 percentage points, potentially giving it an absolute majority in the country's 300-seat parliament. Voting starts at 7.00 am and ends at 7.00 pm, with first official projections expected about two hours after voting ends. Greece endured a debilitating financial crisis from 2010 which saw the country needing a cash lifeline from its European Union partners three times. The economy is the public's main concern, said Thomas Gerakis of pollsters MARC. "Voters want to know the government can give Greeks a better tomorrow," he said. Some voters wanted to punish Syriza for reneging on past pledges, he added. Tsipras was also roundly criticised for mismanagement of crises on his watch, and for brokering a deeply unpopular deal to end a dispute over the name of neighouring North Macedonia. One hundred people died in a devastating fire which swept through a seaside village east of Athens last year; while Mitsotakis was quick to the scene to console survivors, Tsipras was out of the public eye for several days. Greece wrapped up its last economic adjustment programme in 2018, but remains under surveillance from lenders to ensure no future fiscal slippage. Though economic growth has returned to the country, unemployment is the euro zone's highest at 18 per cent. New Democracy has promised to invest in creating well-paid jobs with decent benefits. The outgoing government meanwhile hopes voters will reward it for upping the minimum wage by 11 per cent and reinstating collective bargaining. Mitsotakis hopes that his reforms will convince lenders to show more flexibility in due course. "The first thing that is necessary for economic growth to be boosted is a stable government, a strong majority in the next parliament," Mitsotakis told Reuters. Tsipras says that a vote cast in favour of Mitsotakis would go to the political establishment which forced Greece to the edge of the precipice in the first place. "Each and every one of you must now consider if, after so many sacrifices, we should return to the days of despair," he told voters, wrapping up the pre-election campaign on Friday.

Polls open in Greece's first post-bailout general election

PM Modi has met his mother in Gandhi Nagar and took blessings from her. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi meets his mother in Gandhi Nagar

The voters of a village on the Sino-India border in Himachal Pradesh have boycotted the Lok Sabha poll as the government "failed" to find a permanent solution to frequent floods they face.

Located at an altitude of 10,000 feet and around 350 km from state capital Shimla, voters at Geu village in Lahaul and Spiti district said they had been demanding their resettlement but their demands remained unheard.

"We have to take the decision as none of the governments have found a permanent solution to frequent floods due to a nearby nullah," a villager said.

According to the district election office, there are 167 voters registered at the village and none of them have voted so far.

The district officials and election staff is in the village to persuade them to withdraw the boycott and exercise their franchise.

Only five votes have been cast at the Geu polling station, that too were cast by the poll staff, a district spokesperson said.

The five members of the poll staff do not belong to the village but they cast their votes on the basis of election duty certificates issued to them by AROs concerned, he added.

The voters of a village on the Sino-India border in Himachal Pradesh have boycotted the Lok Sabha poll as the government "failed" to find a permanent solution to frequent floods they face.

The voters of a village on the Sino-India border in Himachal Pradesh have boycotted the Lok Sabha poll as the government "failed" to find a permanent solution to frequent floods they face. Located at an altitude of 10,000 feet and around 350 km from state capital Shimla, voters at Geu village in Lahaul and Spiti district said they had been demanding their resettlement but their demands remained unheard. "We have to take the decision as none of the governments have found a permanent solution to frequent floods due to a nearby nullah," a villager said. According to the district election office, there are 167 voters registered at the village and none of them have voted so far. The district officials and election staff is in the village to persuade them to withdraw the boycott and exercise their franchise. Only five votes have been cast at the Geu polling station, that too were cast by the poll staff, a district spokesperson said. The five members of the poll staff do not belong to the village but they cast their votes on the basis of election duty certificates issued to them by AROs concerned, he added.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Villagers boycott voting in Himachal as government failed to find solution to frequent floods

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Lok Sabha elections 2019: Watch latest election news

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Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress North East Delhi candidate Sheila Dikshit holded a roadshow in Delhi on Wednesday. Watch this video to know more.

Priyanka Gandhi & PM Modi's war of words

Supreme Court of India dismisses second plea against Rahul Gandhi, Petition sought to debar Congress President from contesting elections. Watch this video to know more.

SC dismisses second plea against Rahul Gandhi

Polling in 51 parliamentary constituencies across 7 states is being held in the 5th phase of Lok Sabha election 2019 Monday. The 5th phase of polling will decide the fate of several key leaders including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani.

India Votes: 51 seats across 7 states go to polls

Watch Key battles in phase 5 of Lok Sabha elections 2019.

India Votes: Key battles in phase 5 of Lok Sabha elections 2019

India Votes: Lok Sabha elections phase 5 voting underway

Polling in 51 parliamentary constituencies across 7 states is being held in the 5th phase of Lok Sabha election 2019 Monday. The 5th phase of polling will decide the fate of several key leaders including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani. Watch this video to know more.

India Votes: Is U.P. heading for a tight finish?

India Votes: Which way will Bihar sway

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Clashes broke out in Shopian & Pulwama

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WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - May 6th, 2019

As Amethi parliamentary constituency went into polls in the 5th phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Monday, Union Minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani hit out at opponent Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleging booth capturing in the constituency. Watch this video to know more.

Smriti Irani alleges voters being forced to vote for Congress

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Lok Sabha elections 2019: Latest polling news

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