The Indian Olympic Association has released a Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming Athletes' Commission and Sportspersons of Merit elections. The code prohibits criticism of private lives, bans all forms of publicity including social media, and mandates neutrality from IOA and NSF office-bearers, aiming for fair and ethical campaigning.
'Their functioning is flawed, they are not accountable, they are opaque, they are non-transparent, they have lost credibility.'
The nomination papers of all 12 candidates, including Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu, for the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) Athletes Commission election were found valid on Thursday after scrutiny. The election for 10 members of the commission for the 20262030 term is scheduled for November 3.
B S Mehra was elected unopposed as the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) president during the state body's polls on Sunday. Other key positions, including vice-presidents and executive members, were also filled, with elections conducted under the supervision of an AIFF-appointed officer.
The first phase of Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan concluded on Thursday with a 63 per cent voter turnout across 16 districts. Despite long queues, some villages boycotted the polls over local administrative issues. These elections are seen as a crucial test for the ruling BJP and opposition Congress ahead of the 2028 assembly elections.
Indian tennis greats Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza have filed nominations for the AITA Sports Person of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections, seeking representation in the General Body and Executive Committee. Notably, Leander Paes surprisingly did not file his nomination for the November 7 polls, making him ineligible to run for AITA Presidency. The SOM framework aims to integrate sportspersons into the governance of national sports federations.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that its new Executive Council will be elected on December 5, with Sanjay Kumar Srivastava appointed as the returning officer. The electoral process, which includes elections for the Athletes' Commission on November 3 and selection of Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs), will adhere to national sports governance acts and the amended IOA Constitution. The new council will serve a four-year term (2026-2030), with current President PT Usha highlighting the importance of good governance as India eyes hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.
The Allahabad High Court has stayed the conviction and sentence of Nandlal Rai, a BJP worker, in a 2017 murder case, allowing him to contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly election. The court cited his right to contest elections and referenced a Supreme Court precedent regarding public representatives.
NITI Aayog has called for a fundamental overhaul of urban governance in India, advocating for empowered city governments, directly elected mayors with five-year terms, and greater financial autonomy for urban local bodies to manage the country's rapidly growing urban population.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that its much-anticipated elections will take place on December 20. This decision, made at a Special General Body Meeting attended by FIFA and AFC officials, aims to resolve governance uncertainties and elect new office-bearers at a critical time for Indian football. Rajeev Sharma has been appointed as the electoral officer.
The reference to India's 'Presidential election' appears to be a mix-up with Brazil, which held its first round of presidential elections on Sunday with 125.27 million valid votes.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced its full support for Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president, despite previous disagreements over his commercial rights plan. AFC head Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa stated the region's commitment to Infantino's leadership, who is seeking a fourth term until 2031.
BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi emphasized the importance of fair elections, transparent bureaucracy, and constitutional adherence for a functioning democracy. His comments come amidst opposition protests led by the INDIA bloc, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revisions and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation.
Members of the Students Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India staged a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on October 2, 2026.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a plea seeking the recall of its recent split verdict regarding the 2023 law on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. This law notably excludes the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel, a change from a previous Supreme Court directive.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the CBI raids on his OSD and others, alleging it's part of the BJP's election campaign strategy in non-BJP ruled states. The CBI registered a corruption case following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which noted prima facie evidence of corruption. Mann dismissed the allegations, stating his government is not involved in corruption and will cooperate with investigations.
The Centre has announced a major bureaucratic reshuffle, appointing Prakash Rajpurohit as Deputy Election Commissioner and approving appointments for 27 civil servants at joint secretary and equivalent levels across various ministries and departments.
Glimpses of the INDIA bloc's protest march from Parliament House to Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters, in New Delhi on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
The BJP has announced eight candidates, including minister Dharam Pal Singh, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. These elections, scheduled for October 16, will fill 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh, one from Uttarakhand, and a bypoll in West Bengal, with several prominent members retiring.
Abhijeet Dipke has issued a strong call to Indian opposition parties, urging them to boycott elections if they genuinely believe the electoral process is rigged, arguing that their continued participation only legitimises alleged unfairness.
Anand's re-election as Deputy President means Bharat Singh Chauhan's bid for vice president is ineligible due to FIDE rules against multiple representatives from the same federation on the council.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has announced fresh elections for November 27, concluding a prolonged legal dispute over its governance. This decision follows an interim administrative arrangement and constitutional amendments in line with new sports governance legislation. Rajeev Sharma has been appointed Election Commissioner, and a task force will address AITA Trust issues.
By-elections across several Indian states, including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and West Bengal, concluded peacefully with high voter turnouts. The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam recorded 76% polling, while Tamil Nadu's Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly Constituencies saw 83.86% and 78.53% respectively. Puducherry's Thattanchavady registered 78.83%, and West Bengal's Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies had nearly 79% turnout.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on simultaneous elections had scheduled an "informal interaction" with Supreme Court judges, which was later cancelled by the apex court. The Supreme Court deemed the meeting inappropriate as the proposed constitutional amendment could become subject to judicial review. JPC Chairman PP Chaudhary defended the panel's initial decision, citing precedents, while DMK MP P Wilson, who mooted the idea, expressed disappointment and argued against the notion that such interactions violate separation of powers.
FIFA has accused UEFA of waging a 'misinformation campaign' and attempting to influence its upcoming presidential election, urging a US court to reject a discovery request related to a controversial, now-abandoned investment proposal for World Cup commercial rights.
An analysis by ADR and National Election Watch reveals that 111 MPs and MLAs changed parties after winning elections between 2022 and 2026. Nagaland and West Bengal recorded the highest number of switches. The report also highlights party-level impacts and suggests reforms to the anti-defection framework.
Two students from Satyawati College were injured and two SUVs damaged during an altercation in northwest Delhi's Bharat Nagar area, near the college, while campaigning for student union elections. Police are investigating the incident, which involved reports of assault and firing, and are examining potential links to college rivalries or personal disputes.
A quarrel between two student groups during college union election campaigning in northwest Delhi's Bharat Nagar area resulted in two Satyawati College students being injured and two vehicles damaged. Police are investigating the incident, which reportedly involved firing and assault.
India's Sports Ministry has announced the formation of a 20-member National Sports Election Panel (NSEP), including two former Chief Election Commissioners, to oversee fair elections in national sports bodies. This panel, mandated by the National Sports Governance Act 2025, aims to streamline electoral processes. Additionally, the deadline for applications to the National Sports Tribunal (NST), which will handle sports disputes, has been extended.
Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first pontiff to vote in a United States election, submitting a mail-in ballot for the upcoming midterm elections. The Vatican confirmed his participation, citing his long-standing belief in civic duty and democratic processes, having voted in previous elections as a US citizen and during his residence in Peru. The US midterm elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, will determine control of Congress and have significant implications for the current administration.
The Sports Ministry has established a 20-member National Sports Election Panel, including former Chief Election Commissioners, to oversee fair elections in national sports bodies as mandated by the National Sports Governance Act. Concurrently, the deadline for applications to the National Sports Tribunal, which will handle sports disputes, has been extended.
The INDIA bloc conducted a symbolic "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of operating under the influence of the Modi government and threatening voting rights. Led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, the event saw leaders demand Kumar's removal, the repeal of the 2023 law governing election commissioner appointments, and an end to the Special Intensive Revision exercise, alleging intentional deletion of around 14 crore voters.
Israel's parliamentary election results have led to uncertainty in government formation, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc failed to secure a majority. The situation is further complicated by allegations of electoral fraud and foreign interference, which have been refuted by election officials and the Shin Bet security agency.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha and several Olympic medallists are among 27 former athletes contesting for eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs) positions. These elected SOMs will become members of the IOA General Assembly and will be eligible to vote in the December 5 polls for the new Executive Council. The virtual election for SOMs is scheduled for November 9, with scrutiny of nominations on November 3 and the final list of candidates on November 7.
The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections, conducted using ballot papers, have reignited the debate over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) versus ballot papers ahead of the 2027 UP assembly polls. While the BJP maintained its lead, the Samajwadi Party made significant gains, prompting renewed calls for ballot paper usage in future elections.
Israel's Mossad and Shin Bet are investigating alleged foreign interference in the recent national election, focusing on claims of efforts to influence Arab voter turnout. While Qatar has been implicated and denied involvement, the probe's scope is limited and does not question the overall election results. High-level briefings have occurred, and final findings will be submitted to the Central Elections Committee.
The INDIA bloc conducted a symbolic "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of electoral malpractice. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided from a chair historically used by Jawaharlal Nehru, a detail highlighted by Congress. Opposition leaders demanded Kumar's removal, calling the event a "political weapon."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified allegations of election fraud by Arab-led parties, describing suspected foreign interference as an "earthquake". The Central Elections Committee has asked the internal security agency, Shin Bet, to investigate these claims, which come amid an inconclusive election where neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition secured a majority. President Isaac Herzog has called for a thorough investigation while cautioning against general suspicion of the Arab community.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc held a major protest rally in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and past corruption allegations. Leaders stated the protest was a "stern warning" to the government, vowing to continue until Kumar steps down, citing threats to parliamentary democracy.
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has approved the implementation of its student union constitution, setting May 15, 2027, as the deadline for completion and directing protesting students to end their agitation. The university will notify election schedules based on Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, with elections to be held within six weeks of the academic session start, approximately six weeks from July 16, 2027. Disciplinary actions against protesters will also be revoked.
