Passage 1
Law Minister on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that no specific time limit has been provided for the high-level committee (HLC) on simultaneous polls, headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind.
In a written reply, he said that the committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’ has so received 35 responses political parties. He noted that “no specific time limit” has been provided for the submission of the report by the Kovind panel.
To a question on whether the Committee has set any deadline to consider the suggestions received from various quarters, the Law Minister replied in the negative.
Set up in September last, the HLC’s mandate was to examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, municipalities and panchayats keeping in view the existing constitutional framework.
Source – https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/
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Passage 2
Malaysia’s Pardons Board said on February 2 it has reduced ex-Prime Minister’s12-year jail sentence by half and sharply cut the fine imposed after he was convicted in a corruption case linked to the theft of billions of dollars from state coffers.
With the sentence commuted, he will be freed by August 23, 2028, the board said in a statement. The board also cut his 210 million ringgit ($44.5 million) fine to 50 million ringgit.
It is unclear if he is still eligible for additional time off for good behavior. If so, he could be out as early as August 2026.
The Pardons Board didn’t explain why it commuted his sentence, nor why it waited until Friday to announce it. The board isn’t required to give any grounds for its action, but calls are mounting for it to explain the move.
Source- https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/
