News for 'Election Commissioners'

Ahead of polls, EC to upload 2003 Bihar voter list for revision drive

Ahead of polls, EC to upload 2003 Bihar voter list for revision drive

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The other three crore -- nearly 40 percent -- will have to provide one of the 11 listed documents to establish their place or date of birth.

Sam Pitroda's remark on 'India-China' stokes row

Sam Pitroda's remark on 'India-China' stokes row

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

Pitroda was reported to have said that he does not understand the threat India faces from China, claiming that it is often blown out of proportion.

Congress deploys seniors to assess Haryana poll rout

Congress deploys seniors to assess Haryana poll rout

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

Sources said the party has also tasked its senior leaders to be observers at the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in Haryana to elect its new leader.

He destroyed...: Kejriwal launches blistering attack on CEC

He destroyed...: Kejriwal launches blistering attack on CEC

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

Kejriwal's remarks came shortly after the EC expressed dissatisfaction with his reply to its notice and gave him a fresh opportunity to explain his charges against the Haryana government.

Why EC announces LS poll on 544 seats instead of 543

Why EC announces LS poll on 544 seats instead of 543

Rediff.com16 Mar 2024

Kumar said the increase was due to Outer Manipur being counted twice, since polls will be held there in two phases.

Kangana Ranaut's election challenged, HC issues notice

Kangana Ranaut's election challenged, HC issues notice

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

The Himachal Pradesh high court on Wednesday issued notice to Kangana Ranaut, the Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha member from Mandi, on a petition filed by a Kinnaur resident for setting aside her election on the grounds that his nomination papers to contest from the Lok Sabha constituency were allegedly wrongly rejected.

Seshan wanted to halt polls after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination: Book

Seshan wanted to halt polls after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination: Book

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

A new book by former West Bengal governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi claims that former chief election commissioner T N Seshan proposed an immediate halt to the general election process after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991 and even offered to become home minister. Gandhi, who was joint secretary to then president R Venkatraman, writes that Seshan was the one who broke the news of the assassination to the president and arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhawan "super-fast" that night. According to Gandhi's account, Seshan told Venkatraman that he felt the election process needed to be stopped and that he was ready to take on the role of home minister if necessary. However, Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar and Cabinet Secretary Naresh Chandra assured the president that the situation was under control and that there was no need to pause the election process. Seshan's suggestions were ultimately ignored, but he did manage to postpone the second and third phases of polling.

Why Modi Needs Mission-Mode Bureaucrats

Why Modi Needs Mission-Mode Bureaucrats

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

Learning from East Asia, India must reform its district administration with performance, accountability, and vision to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat, points out Deepak Mishra.

Has Vijay Changed After Karur Stampede?

Has Vijay Changed After Karur Stampede?

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

Vijay, despite the loud message from his delayed arrival at the road-show/stampede venue, and more so his continued inaccessibility for fans-turned-cadres after graduating from a super-star to a political party leader with electoral ambitions, refuses to change. Or, so it seems, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Baseless: Ex-CEC Quraishi on $21m poll funding by US agency

Baseless: Ex-CEC Quraishi on $21m poll funding by US agency

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

'There was no financing or even promise of finance involved in MoU, forget X or Y amount'

Haryana polls deferred to Oct 5, counting with J-K on Oct 8

Haryana polls deferred to Oct 5, counting with J-K on Oct 8

Rediff.com31 Aug 2024

The Election Commission on Saturday deferred the Haryana assembly poll date to October 5 from October 1, saying the decision was taken keeping in mind a centuries-old festival of the Bishnoi community.

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League officially banned in B'desh

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League officially banned in B'desh

Rediff.com13 May 2025

The Awami League leaders were charged with committing crimes against humanity over the deaths of hundreds of people during last year's anti-government protests by a student platform. The protests resulted in the ouster of Hasina's 16-year-long regime on August 5.

Bill on EC appointments may not be taken up in this session: Sources

Bill on EC appointments may not be taken up in this session: Sources

Rediff.com19 Sep 2023

Several opposition leaders on Sunday criticised the bill on the appointment and service conditions of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners at an all-party meeting as "anti-Constitution" and "anti-democratic", sources said.

Nadda, Shah's choppers were also checked: EC rebuts Uddhav

Nadda, Shah's choppers were also checked: EC rebuts Uddhav

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

Thackeray had on Monday claimed his bag was inspected by the election authorities when he arrived in Maharashtra's Yavatmal to campaign for the November 20 assembly elections.

SC bench verdict links Election Commission to Article 14

SC bench verdict links Election Commission to Article 14

Rediff.com3 Mar 2023

Rule of law prevents a government, brought to power by the strength of ballots, from betraying the trust of citizens and "lapsing into a government of caprice, nepotism and finally despotism", the Supreme Court said on Thursday.

Sardar Patel, The Man Who United India

Sardar Patel, The Man Who United India

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

The rising tide of Indian nationalism meant that the people of princely states now were keen to become a part of a united and integrated India rather than remain subjects of a princely state. The Congress too supported the people's wish and it fell upon Patel to get the princes to agree. He did so magnificently, using every trick available, whether it was sweet talk or coercion; the rulers buckled and Patel earned the eternal gratitude of the entire nation.

Will You Get Such An Increment This Year?

Will You Get Such An Increment This Year?

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

The revised salaries of MPs are significantly lower than the salaries drawn by top bureaucrats in the country.

SC dismisses PIL against Arun Goel's appointment as EC

SC dismisses PIL against Arun Goel's appointment as EC

Rediff.com5 Aug 2023

The bench refused to entertain the plea filed by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms and dismissed it.

Delhi polls: Prez Murmu, Jaishankar, Rahul, Atishi vote

Delhi polls: Prez Murmu, Jaishankar, Rahul, Atishi vote

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

Voting for the Delhi Assembly elections began on Wednesday, with prominent leaders like President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi casting their ballots early in the day. Other notable figures who participated in the electoral process included Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, AAP leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, and Delhi Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz. The election is a triangular contest between the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress, with the AAP aiming for a third consecutive term. Polling is underway at 13,766 stations across Delhi's 70 assembly constituencies to decide the fate of 699 candidates. The results will be announced on February 8.

Mystified by EC Arun Goel's resignation, was he in the know, asks SC

Mystified by EC Arun Goel's resignation, was he in the know, asks SC

Rediff.com2 Mar 2023

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it was mystified as to how bureaucrat Arun Goel applied for voluntary retirement on November 18 last year if he was not aware about the proposal to appoint him as an election commissioner.

'China, Pakistan Will Try To Turn Bangladesh Against India'

'China, Pakistan Will Try To Turn Bangladesh Against India'

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

'Pakistan will also try to turn Bangladesh into a base for terrorist attacks on India.'

Pak EC forms high-level panel to probe 'poll rigging'

Pak EC forms high-level panel to probe 'poll rigging'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2024

Pakistan's election commission has formed a high-level committee to probe the explosive allegations levelled by a senior bureaucrat that widespread rigging aided by the judiciary and the top election body happened against jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

EC asks Kejriwal to prove Yamuna 'poisoning' claim amid slugfest

EC asks Kejriwal to prove Yamuna 'poisoning' claim amid slugfest

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

A heated political battle erupted Tuesday over Arvind Kejriwal's claim of the Haryana government 'poisoning' the Yamuna water, with the Bharatiya Janata Party saying he cannot be forgiven for his 'dangerous statement', while the Aam Aadmi Party chief asserted he won't let the people of Delhi die due to the dirty, poisonous water.

Cong's ecstasy turns into agony after Haryana shocker

Cong's ecstasy turns into agony after Haryana shocker

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

Congress leaders were seen giving media bytes at various places at the headquarters, arguing that the trends would change by 1 PM but it did not happen.

Yamuna 'poisoning': Referred to high ammonia level, Kejriwal tells CEC

Yamuna 'poisoning': Referred to high ammonia level, Kejriwal tells CEC

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal went to the Election Commission's office in New Delhi on Friday and furnished his reply to the poll body over its notice to him on his 'poison mixed' in Yamuna water remark.

INDIA bloc to move SC over EVM concerns in Maharashtra polls

INDIA bloc to move SC over EVM concerns in Maharashtra polls

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

Meanwhile, the Congress' data analytics department chairperson Praveen Chakravarty on Tuesday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, seeking assembly-wise voter rolls in excel sheet format for the Lok Sabha elections and the assembly polls in Maharashtra.

ECI Factor Gives BJP Poll Advantage!

ECI Factor Gives BJP Poll Advantage!

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

'Unlike in the sporting arena, where sports federations moved from partisan to impartial referees, in Indian democracy's biggest festival, it appears we are moving backward from unbiased and objective to one-sided and partisan,' observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Parliament special session to approve CEC appointment bill

Parliament special session to approve CEC appointment bill

Rediff.com13 Sep 2023

The session is likely to see the proceedings of Parliament move from the old building to the new Parliament building.

Ex-bureaucrat who oversaw Article 370 abrogation picked as new EC

Ex-bureaucrat who oversaw Article 370 abrogation picked as new EC

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

Addressing reporters at his residence soon after the meeting ended, Chowdhury said six names came up before the panel for the selection of the two ECs and the names of Sandhu and Kumar were finalised by a majority of members of the high-powered panel.

Cong submits more complaints to EC on EVM discrepancies in Haryana

Cong submits more complaints to EC on EVM discrepancies in Haryana

Rediff.com12 Oct 2024

The Congress has said the assembly polls results were "unexpected" and have alleged discrepancies in the EVMs in some seats.

Arun Goel as EC: SC bench recuses from hearing

Arun Goel as EC: SC bench recuses from hearing

Rediff.com17 Apr 2023

The bench said the petition has relied on a March 2 verdict of the apex court which had ruled that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and ECs will be done by the President on the recommendation of a committee, comprising the prime minister, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the CJI, to maintain the "purity of election".

Jaishankar, Canada FM hold talks for 1st time; discuss ties

Jaishankar, Canada FM hold talks for 1st time; discuss ties

Rediff.com26 May 2025

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand held their first phone conversation, focusing on strengthening bilateral economic ties and advancing shared priorities. The call comes amid efforts to repair relations between the two countries, which had been strained under the previous Canadian government. Both ministers expressed their commitment to improving ties and working together on areas of mutual interest. The conversation follows a period of tensions stemming from allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil.

Never Before Has A PM Like Him Visited India!

Never Before Has A PM Like Him Visited India!

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

Sitiveni Rabuka's visit to New Delhi marks a major shift in India-Fiji ties as the former coup leader who once expelled India's envoy now returns as an honoured guest, explains Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Oppn welcomes SC ruling on EC, says landmark verdict for free and fair polls

Oppn welcomes SC ruling on EC, says landmark verdict for free and fair polls

Rediff.com2 Mar 2023

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the verdict is a victory of democracy.

CEC dares Oppn to give proof of attempts to influence poll process

CEC dares Oppn to give proof of attempts to influence poll process

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Monday dared the opposition to share evidence of allegations that returning officers and district magistrates were influenced to vitiate the poll process so the panel could take action against them.

Congress takes Maharashtra poll complaints to EC

Congress takes Maharashtra poll complaints to EC

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

The Congress party in India has alleged "serious and grave inconsistencies" in the data relating to the polling and counting processes for the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections. The party has sought an in-person hearing from the Election Commission to present evidence of alleged discrepancies, including the arbitrary deletion and addition of voters and inexplicable increases in voting percentages. The Congress leaders claim these irregularities benefited the ruling BJP-led alliance, which won a decisive victory in the polls.

Ballot is more potent than most powerful gun: SC

Ballot is more potent than most powerful gun: SC

Rediff.com2 Mar 2023

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice KM Joseph said the concepts of liberty, equality and fraternity must not be "strange bedfellows" to the ruling class.

7-phase LS polls from April 19-June 1; courting on June 4

7-phase LS polls from April 19-June 1; courting on June 4

Rediff.com17 Mar 2024

The elections will begin on April 19 followed by subsequent phases on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.

Not many takers for NOTA in these polls too

Not many takers for NOTA in these polls too

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

The None of the Above (NOTA) option once again found few takers, with 0.75 per cent of the electorate pressing the button in Maharashtra and 1.32 per cent in Jharkhand. Votes for the assembly elections in these two states were counted on Saturday.

Modi-Carney talks: Envoys to return as India, Canada mend ties

Modi-Carney talks: Envoys to return as India, Canada mend ties

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

India and Canada have agreed to restore High Commissioners to each other's capitals at an early date, the first in 'calibrated steps' to restore stability to the 'very important relationship', Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.