Election Commission begins two-day training programme for booth level agents from T.N., Puducherry
The Election Commission of India (EC) on Thursday commenced a two-day training programme for booth level agents (BLAs) of National and State parties from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in view of the forthcoming Assembly election.
A total of 229 BLAs (BLA-I & BLA-II) from 11 National and State political parties are participating in the two-day training programme organised at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi.
According to a press release, the training programme was conducted in English and Tamil. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar addressed the BLAs and underscored their importance in the election processes. He asserted that the training programme would help them fulfil their responsibilities as delineated in the Representation of People Act, 1950 and 1951, Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, and the manuals, guidelines and instructions issued by ECI from time to time.
Through interactive sessions, the BLAs were given an overview of their appointment, roles, and responsibilities as per the legal framework. They were also familiarised in the use of the provision of first and second appeals under sections 24(a) and 24(b) of the Representation of People Act in case they are aggrieved of the final electoral rolls as published. The ECI had also started holding interactions with the party presidents of National and State political parties, the press release added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
24 minutes ago
- The Hindu
MNM party puts up posters supporting Kamal Haasan on Kannada language row
The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party has put up posters in Chennai supporting its leader Kamal Haasan in the row triggered by his remarks on the origin of Kannada language, and claimed 'truth needed no apology'. The posters were put up in the city ahead of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce's meeting to discuss the release of the veteran actor's film 'Thug Life', following opposition from some pro-Kannada groups demanding an apology from him before the film was released in Karnataka. Mr. Kamal's remark that 'Kannada was born out of Tamil' made at the audio release of his film in Chennai in the last week of May, stoked a controversy, triggering protests in the neighbouring state. The South India Artistes' Association defended him, claiming he aimed to promote unity. With 'Thug Life' scheduled to hit the cinemas on June 5, 2025, Mr. Haasan, who declined to tender an apology for "uttering the truth", had moved the Karnataka High Court seeking a direction for the film release. The image of the posters, shared by the MNM functionary, said the party firmly stood with its leader and emphasised that there was no need for an apology for speaking the truth.
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
OECD cuts global growth forecast to 2.9% in 2025 and 2026 amid escalating trade war
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowered its global economic growth forecast on Tuesday, citing the impact of a widening trade war driven by US President Donald Trump's tariff policies. The Paris-based organization warned that these measures, particularly new tariffs, are set to significantly slow the world economy, with the United States expected to be among the hardest hit. After a global growth rate of 3.3 percent in 2024, the OECD now predicts the world economy will grow by just 2.9 percent in both 2025 and 2026. This is down from its earlier forecasts in March, which projected 3.1 percent growth in 2025 and 3.0 percent in 2026, AFP reported. Since that previous forecast, President Trump has launched a series of tariffs that have unsettled global financial markets. "The global outlook is becoming increasingly challenging," the OECD stated, highlighting that "substantial increases" in trade barriers, tighter financial conditions, reduced business and consumer confidence, and greater policy uncertainty could have "marked adverse effects on growth" if they continue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo The OECD revised its 2025 growth projection for the US from 2.2 percent down to 1.6 percent, with further deceleration expected in 2026 to 1.5 percent. This comes despite Trump's optimistic messaging, including a post on his Truth Social platform ahead of the OECD's report, stating: 'Because of Tariffs, our Economy is BOOMING!' The OECD's ministerial meeting is being held in Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday, where US and EU trade officials are also expected to meet. This follows Trump's threat of 50-percent tariffs on EU goods. Separately, the Group of Seven (G7) is also convening to discuss trade issues. 'For everyone, including the United States, the best option is that countries sit down and get an agreement,' said OECD chief economist Alvaro Pereira in an interview with AFP. 'Avoiding further trade fragmentation is absolutely key in the next few months and years,' he added. Trump introduced a baseline 10-percent tariff on global imports in April and has announced increased tariffs on a number of countries, though implementation has been delayed until July to allow time for negotiations. Additionally, the president has imposed a 25-percent tariff on cars and plans to raise tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50 percent starting Wednesday. In its report, the OECD emphasized that "weakened economic prospects will be felt around the world, with almost no exception," noting that "lower growth and less trade will hit incomes and slow job growth." The US economy, which expanded by 2.8 percent in 2024, now faces a bleaker outlook. The effective tariff rate on US merchandise imports has soared from two percent in 2024 to 15.4 percent—its highest level since 1938—according to the OECD. This spike, coupled with policy uncertainty, "will dent household consumption and business investment growth," the report said. The organization also pointed to "high economic policy uncertainty, a significant slowdown in net immigration and a sizeable reduction in the federal workforce" as contributing factors to the US slowdown. While inflation across the Group of 20 (G20) economies is projected to moderate to 3.6 percent in 2025 and 3.2 percent in 2026, the US remains an outlier. Inflation in the United States is forecast to climb to just under four percent by the end of the year—twice the Federal Reserve's target rate. China's growth forecast has also been trimmed slightly, from 4.8 percent to 4.7 percent in 2025. China has been affected by triple-digit US tariffs, which have been temporarily eased. Japan's growth outlook was revised down from 1.1 percent to 0.7 percent. However, the eurozone's forecast remains steady at one-percent growth. 'There is the risk that protectionism and trade policy uncertainty will increase even further and that additional trade barriers might be introduced,' Pereira wrote in the report. 'According to our simulations, additional tariffs would further reduce global growth prospects and fuel inflation, dampening global growth even more,' he warned. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
News18
31 minutes ago
- News18
'Let's Not Escalate': Karnataka Deputy CM Calls Kamal Haasan's Remark A 'Small Issue'
Last Updated: The Deputy CM had made similar appeals on Monday, urging people to be patient and avoid fanning tensions Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday asked pro-Kannada groups 'not to escalate" the controversy over actor Kamal Haasan's remark suggesting that Kannada originated from Tamil, calling it a 'small issue." Speaking to the media, Shivakumar said, 'If Kamal Haasan has made a mistake, then he will apologise. The court will take the necessary action." The Deputy CM had made similar appeals on Monday, urging people to be patient and avoid fanning tensions. He stressed the close ties between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, saying, 'I don't know the issue so let me go to my records and then I will speak. I don't want to make this a political issue. 'We all are neighbours, We all have to work together, live together. Our water goes to Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu people come here. We are not enemies. We all are friends," he added. Deputy Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar reacts on row over Kamal Haasan's Kannada remark, urges pro-Kannada groups to not escalate the matter, calls it a 'small issue'News18's @BharadwajSudath with details @harishupadhya | #KamalHaasan #Kannada — News18 (@CNNnews18) June 3, 2025 'I would like to ask everyone to remain calm and patient," Shivakumar stated, while reminding the public that nothing is permanent in life. Earlier in the day, the Karnataka High Court criticised Haasan over his remark, with Justice M Nagaprasanna stating that it had hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas. The judge questioned Haasan's refusal to apologise, remarking, 'Are you a historian or a linguist to make such a statement? No language is born out of another. A single apology could have resolved the situation." The court stressed that 'language is an emotional and cultural identity of a people" and warned against making statements that could damage the pride of a linguistic community. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had announced that Haasan's film ' Thug Life ', set to release on June 5, would not be allowed to screen in the state unless he publicly apologised. The chamber, which represents producers, distributors and exhibitors, took strong objection to Haasan's comments made during a promotional event in Chennai. (With inputs from agencies)
