News for 'Association for Democratic Reforms'

SC defers hearing on pleas against CEC appointment as per 2023 law

SC defers hearing on pleas against CEC appointment as per 2023 law

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

The Supreme Court has adjourned pleas challenging the appointments of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners (ECs) under the 2023 law. The court indicated the matter would be listed after the Holi festival break due to a paucity of time. Petitioners, including the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, argued for an urgent hearing, emphasizing the importance of the issue and the potential impact on democratic processes. The appointment of the new CEC and ECs under the 2023 law, which excludes the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel, has been a point of contention, with petitioners alleging it undermines the independence of the election commission.

Rajasthan: Youth Power Dominates Candidates

Rajasthan: Youth Power Dominates Candidates

Rediff.com23 Nov 2023

Data collected by Association for Democratic Reforms on the candidates show a maximum number of candidates (482) fall in the 31 to 40 years age group.

SC wants EVM plea sent to bench behind paper ballot verdict

SC wants EVM plea sent to bench behind paper ballot verdict

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday said the plea seeking a policy for verification of electronic voting machines should go before the same bench that delivered a verdict in April rejecting the demand for bringing back the old paper ballots.

Don't erase, reload data; just verify EVMs: SC to poll panel

Don't erase, reload data; just verify EVMs: SC to poll panel

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

The Supreme Court of India has sought a response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding pleas seeking verification of burnt memory and symbol loading units in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The court directed the ECI to refrain from erasing or reloading data during the verification process and to explain the procedure adopted for verification. The bench also expressed concerns over the high cost of verification and directed the ECI to reduce the fee. The court's directive comes following its previous judgement where it allowed aggrieved candidates to seek verification of EVMs.

How Many Crorepatis In 1st Phase?

How Many Crorepatis In 1st Phase?

Rediff.com17 Apr 2024

Accoding to data collected by the Association for Democratic Reforms, of the 1,618 candidates analysed from the total 1,625 candidates in the fray, 450 are crorepatis.

Phase III: Meet The Richest Candidate

Phase III: Meet The Richest Candidate

Rediff.com6 May 2024

29 per cent candidates have declared assets worth Rs 10 million or more in the third phase.

651 Crorepati Candidates In Rajasthan

651 Crorepati Candidates In Rajasthan

Rediff.com22 Nov 2023

The most number of crorepati candidates are fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (176), while the Congress has fielded 167 crorepati candidates.

SC to hear pleas against CEC appointment under new law

SC to hear pleas against CEC appointment under new law

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

It will be court's opinion versus the legislative power to enact law, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said as it posted the pleas challenging the appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners under the 2023 law on February 4.

Only 183 Women Contesting Rajasthan Polls

Only 183 Women Contesting Rajasthan Polls

Rediff.com24 Nov 2023

The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded candidates in all 200 constituencies while the Congress has fielded 199 candidates.

Which Way Will Wind Blow In Rajasthan?

Which Way Will Wind Blow In Rajasthan?

Rediff.com24 Nov 2023

All the 200 seats in Rajasthan will vote on Friday, November 25, 2023.

Bengal lawmakers have maximum cases of crimes against women

Bengal lawmakers have maximum cases of crimes against women

Rediff.com21 Aug 2024

According to the report, there are 16 sitting MPs and MLAs who have declared cases related to rape under Indian Penal Code Section 376, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and can be extend to life imprisonment.

Telangana: Only 222 Women Candidates

Telangana: Only 222 Women Candidates

Rediff.com30 Nov 2023

Telangana has 3,17,17,389 voters: 1,58,71,493 male voters; 1,58,43,339 female voters; 2,557 third gender voters.

SC to hear plea against appointment of EC under new law

SC to hear plea against appointment of EC under new law

Rediff.com13 Mar 2024

The NGO challenges the validity of a provision of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.

'Media Frenzy Has Ruined Justice Varma's Reputation'

'Media Frenzy Has Ruined Justice Varma's Reputation'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

'Presumption of innocence must guide all formal actions, but transparency must not be mistaken for pre-judgment.' 'The cruel irony, however, is that Justice Varma is a fine judge who enjoys a reputation for writing well-reasoned judgments.'

Timeline: How electoral bonds scheme unravelled in SC

Timeline: How electoral bonds scheme unravelled in SC

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

Following is the chronology of events in the case related to validity of the electoral bonds scheme, a mode of funding to political parties, in which a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a landmark verdict annulling it.

Touch And Go Seats in Telangana

Touch And Go Seats in Telangana

Rediff.com27 Nov 2023

According to data collected by the Association for Democratic Reforms, 13 seats in the 2018 assembly elections had a winning margin of less than 2 per cent.

Crorepati Candidates: 114 in Mizoram, 46 in Chhattisgarh

Crorepati Candidates: 114 in Mizoram, 46 in Chhattisgarh

Rediff.com3 Nov 2023

Mizoram will be voting for total 40 seats in a single phase while polls in Chhattisgarh (90 seats) will be conducted in two phases on November 7 (20 seats) and remaining 70 seats on November 17.

Electoral bonds: Vast majority of parties including BSP, Left got no funding

Electoral bonds: Vast majority of parties including BSP, Left got no funding

Rediff.com17 Mar 2024

The National People's Party, which rules Meghalaya, is another national party which received no donations through electoral bonds.

727 Crorepati Candidates In MP!

727 Crorepati Candidates In MP!

Rediff.com14 Nov 2023

Of these, 200 are fielded by the BJP, 196 by the Congress and the rest belong to other political parties.

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

'If we truly wish to understand and apply Marx's insights today, we must reject the rigid dogmas that later 'Marxists' imposed in his name.'

SC verdict on VVPAT verification of votes on Friday

SC verdict on VVPAT verification of votes on Friday

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Friday on a batch of pleas seeking complete cross-verification of votes cast using electronic voting machines (EVMs) with voter verifiable paper audit trail, or VVPAT.

12% of sitting Rajya Sabha MPs are billionaires, AP, T'gana top table: Report

12% of sitting Rajya Sabha MPs are billionaires, AP, T'gana top table: Report

Rediff.com18 Aug 2023

The total assets of seven Members of Parliament analysed from Telangana is Rs 5,596 crore, that of 11 MPs from Andhra Pradesh is Rs 3,823 crore, and 30 MPs analysed from Uttar Pradesh have total assets worth Rs 1,941 crore.

225 out of 514 LS MPs face criminal cases; 5% are billionaires: Report

225 out of 514 LS MPs face criminal cases; 5% are billionaires: Report

Rediff.com29 Mar 2024

Out of the sitting MPs with serious criminal cases against them, nine face murder cases. The analysis revealed that five of these MPs belong to the BJP.

Will NOTA See A Further Decline In 2024?

Will NOTA See A Further Decline In 2024?

Rediff.com24 Apr 2024

The portion of 'none of the above' option or NOTA dropped from 1.08% in 2014 to 1.06% in 2019.

Will NOTA See A Further Decline In 2024?

Will NOTA See A Further Decline In 2024?

Rediff.com23 Apr 2024

The portion of 'none of the above' option or NOTA dropped from 1.08% in 2014 to 1.06% in 2019.

Voter turnout within 48 hrs: SC to hear plea on May 17

Voter turnout within 48 hrs: SC to hear plea on May 17

Rediff.com13 May 2024

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on May 17 a plea of an NGO seeking a direction to the Election Commission to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of conclusion of polling for each phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

45 bills passed in Lok Sabha same day they were introduced: Report

45 bills passed in Lok Sabha same day they were introduced: Report

Rediff.com27 Mar 2024

Among parties, the NCP stood out with five of its MPs raising an average of 410 questions each. On the other hand, two Apna Dal (Soneylal) raised only five questions each on average.

Which City Sold Maximum Value Of Electoral Bonds?

Which City Sold Maximum Value Of Electoral Bonds?

Rediff.com27 Feb 2024

Mumbai accounts for the largest share of electoral bonds sold since inception.

BJP's assets jump 21% to Rs 6,046 cr, Cong's 16% to Rs 805 cr in FY22: Report

BJP's assets jump 21% to Rs 6,046 cr, Cong's 16% to Rs 805 cr in FY22: Report

Rediff.com4 Sep 2023

In financial year 2020-21, the BJP declared assets worth Rs 4,990 crore, up by 21.17 per cent to Rs 6,046.81 crore in 2021-22.

36 out of 266 LS candidates in Guj face criminal cases: ADR

36 out of 266 LS candidates in Guj face criminal cases: ADR

Rediff.com29 Apr 2024

Among the major parties, out of the 25 BJP candidates, four, or 15 percent, have criminal cases against them, with two facing serious charges, as per the data of ADR.

Will cause chaos, vitiate atmosphere: EC to SC on voter turnout data plea

Will cause chaos, vitiate atmosphere: EC to SC on voter turnout data plea

Rediff.com23 May 2024

The Election Commission has opposed in the Supreme Court an NGO's demand to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of the conclusion of polling for each phase of the Lok Sabha elections, contending it will "vitiate" the electoral space and cause "chaos" in the poll machinery in the midst of the general elections.

'Trump Has Very Positive View Of Modi'

'Trump Has Very Positive View Of Modi'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

'By his words, actions, and body language during their joint press appearance wanted to convey his personal respect and, more broadly, his desire to work closely with India.'

33% of Rajya Sabha MPs face criminal cases, BJP tops

33% of Rajya Sabha MPs face criminal cases, BJP tops

Rediff.com1 Mar 2024

The BJP leads with 23 percent of its 90 Rajya Sabha members having declared criminal cases against themselves.

New Chhattisgarh assembly has 72 crorepati MLAs; 17 face criminal cases

New Chhattisgarh assembly has 72 crorepati MLAs; 17 face criminal cases

Rediff.com6 Dec 2023

The BJP tops the list with 43 (80 percent) of 54 MLAs each having declared assets valued at more than Rs 1 crore.

15 Maharashtra ministers have criminal cases, all are crorepatis: ADR

15 Maharashtra ministers have criminal cases, all are crorepatis: ADR

Rediff.com11 Aug 2022

Maharashtra now has 20 ministers, including the chief minister, after the council of ministers was expanded on August 9 with the induction of 18 members.

Efforts to weaken India's progress must be stopped: Justice Datta on EVM row

Efforts to weaken India's progress must be stopped: Justice Datta on EVM row

Rediff.com26 Apr 2024

Writing his views in a separate verdict while concurring with the opinion of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who was heading the bench, Justice Datta said the question of reverting to "paper ballot system", on facts and in the circumstances, does not and cannot arise.

Mizoram Only Has 852,088 Voters

Mizoram Only Has 852,088 Voters

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

40,78,680 voters will elect 20 MLAs in Chhattisgarh on November 7, 2023.

AMU's Governance Structure Is Democratic, Not Divine

AMU's Governance Structure Is Democratic, Not Divine

Rediff.com18 Mar 2023

These self-appointed well-wishers of AMU are basically for the control or police model of university governance. They have no faith whatsoever in the democratic functioning of the universities, observes Faizan Mustafa, former dean, Faculty of Law, and Registrar, Aligarh Muslim University.

'Can't control polls': SC to EVM critics as it reserves order

'Can't control polls': SC to EVM critics as it reserves order

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

The Supreme Court said on Wednesday it cannot 'control the elections' or issue directions simply because doubts have been raised about the efficacy of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), as it reserved its judgment on a clutch of petitions claiming the polling devices can be tinkered with to manipulate the results.

About 50% of newly elected MPs face criminal cases, highest so far: ADR

About 50% of newly elected MPs face criminal cases, highest so far: ADR

Rediff.com6 Jun 2024

According to the analysis, there has been a 55 percent increase in the number of MPs with declared criminal cases since 2009.