Current Affairs for IAS Exams

Current Affairs for IAS Exams – 07 June 2016

The Election Commission of India has written to the Centre seeking amendment to the Representation of the People Act to confer specific powers on the election watchdog to postpone or countermand polls based on evidence that money power was used to influence voters.
In a letter to the Legislative Secretary in the Law Ministry, the Commission said a new clause ‘58 B’ be inserted in the Act to allow adjournment or countermanding of election in the affected polling areas on the grounds of use of money power.
The provision would also empower the Commission to re-schedule the elections in such areas.
The Commission said in Clause 58 A and the proposed provision 58 B, the expression “countermand the election” would mean ab initio rescinding of the entire electoral process in the constituency.
Clause 58 A empowers the Election Commission to cancel polls only if there is an evidence of booth-capturing or use of muscle power to influence the outcome of elections.

Former Maldives Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb was jailed for 10 years on on a terrorism charge, weeks after ex-leader Mohamed Nasheed was granted asylum in Britain.
With Adeeb’s sentencing, almost all of President Abdulla Yameen’s key rivals are either in jail or living in exile.
A court official said the case record will not be released to the public as it was considered a matter affecting national security.
Adeeb (34), once a close confidant of Mr. Yameen, had enjoyed a meteoric rise until he was dramatically impeached in November after being accused of trying to assassinate his boss by blowing up his speedboat.
Mr. Yameen was unhurt in the explosion last September, but his wife and two others were injured. A trial related to those allegations is yet to conclude.
He was jailed for 12 years after being tried under a controversial 1990 anti-terrorism law for allegedly inciting unrest during an anti-government rally in May 2015 on the capital island.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President agreed to expand cooperation in tackling the problem of Indians stashing black money in Swiss banks besides resolving to step up ties in areas of trade, investment and vocational training.
Speaking after talks between the two leaders, Mr. Modi said both the sides had also agreed to support each other for their respective bids for the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
Indian tax authorities are probing cases of tax evasion and black money stashed abroad.
Referring to energy security, Mr. Modi said reliance on renewable energy, rather than on fossil fuels would be India’s “guiding motto“.
“I invite the Swiss companies to avail of this great opportunity to be a key partner in India’s economic growth. Ultimately, the economic prosperity of 1.25 billion plus would also benefit the entire world,” Mr. Modi said.