Security scares and division mark pivotal US election day
Presidential elections are underway in the United States, but some incidents have occurred. Police have detained a man with a torch and flare attempting to enter the Capitol. Meanwhile, authorities in Georgia reported having to temporarily halt voting due to bomb threats allegedly originating from Russia.
3:55 PM EST, November 5, 2024
The Capitol Police posted on social media that the man, who smelled of gasoline, was detained at the entrance to the visitors' center, where tours of the complex begin.
The center "has been closed to tours while the investigation is ongoing," the police stated, promising to provide further details when possible.
Meanwhile, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger stated on Tuesday that two polling stations in Fulton County, near Atlanta, were temporarily closed due to bomb threats originating from Russia.
The official said the threats were not credible but required investigation. Voting at these locations — in Union City, predominantly inhabited by African Americans — may be extended.
According to a statement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), threats from Russian email domains have been noted "in several states." "None of the threats have been deemed credible so far," the statement read.
The longest campaign since the 19th century
During this year's presidential elections in the United States, American society is reportedly the most divided since the Civil War in the mid-19th century, according to the Spanish newspaper "El Mundo."
The election campaign in the United States has been described as "the longest, most expensive, and most extreme since the Civil War in 1861-1865," the newspaper commented. The degree of societal polarization is also "unprecedented," not seen since the mid-19th century, it adds.
According to "El Mundo," the race involves "two imperfect candidates, playing on ambiguities and mobilizing identity politics, which reinforces the wartime vision of the country." The newspaper emphasizes that the election outcome, with significant stakes, remains a great mystery and can be compared to "a coin toss."
