News for 'Reform of Electoral Laws'

Govt rejects Opposition demands for debates on VB-G RAM G Act, SIR

Govt rejects Opposition demands for debates on VB-G RAM G Act, SIR

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The government rejected the opposition's demands for discussions on the VB-G RAM G Act and the SIR in the Budget session of Parliament, stating that the issues had already been debated.

Govt to push nuclear reforms as Oppn targets SIR in winter session

Govt to push nuclear reforms as Oppn targets SIR in winter session

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

The winter session of Parliament is set to begin with the government prioritizing its reforms agenda, including a bill to open the civil nuclear sector to private players. The opposition is expected to raise concerns about electoral roll revisions and air pollution.

Post-poll violence grips Bangladesh's Panchagarh as BNP, NCP trade charges

Post-poll violence grips Bangladesh's Panchagarh as BNP, NCP trade charges

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the NCP for the northern region, alleged that attacks occurred at more than 30 locations involving the homes and business establishments of party leaders and activists after the results were declared.

Bangladesh to hold crucial general elections on Thursday

Bangladesh to hold crucial general elections on Thursday

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Bangladesh is set to hold parliamentary elections with unprecedented security measures in place, following a period of interim governance and political changes.

Nitish Kumar's Education Reforms: Top Grades Then Slide

Nitish Kumar's Education Reforms: Top Grades Then Slide

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

The story of Bihar's educational reform is a lesson for all reforms done halfway.

BNP nears clear victory in Bangladesh polls, set to form govt

BNP nears clear victory in Bangladesh polls, set to form govt

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held along with a referendum on a complex 84-point reform package.

CEC reminds Law Minister of pending electoral reforms

CEC reminds Law Minister of pending electoral reforms

Rediff.com8 Jun 2021

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra has written to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad requesting for expedited action on the electoral reform proposals pending with the government, including the one which seeks an enhanced two-year jail term for those furnishing incorrect information in their poll affidavit.

Electoral rolls can't remain static, need to be revised: SC

Electoral rolls can't remain static, need to be revised: SC

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

"There is bound to be revision," the top court said, "otherwise, how will the poll panel delete the names of those who are dead, migrated or shifted to other constituencies?"

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Mundane as it may seem, this is in some ways a metaphor for the challenges facing the nation, argue Arvind Subramanian and Devesh Kapur in their new book, A Sixth Of Humanity.

'Nehru did vote chori', Shah defends SIR; Oppn walks out

'Nehru did vote chori', Shah defends SIR; Oppn walks out

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to debate with him on his three press conferences in which the Congress leader alleged 'vote chori' by the Bharatiya Janata Party in collusion with the Election Commission.

Will Budget 2026 Break Sunday Rule?

Will Budget 2026 Break Sunday Rule?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Officials said the government is keen to conform to the convention of the Union Budget for 2026-2027 being presented on February 1 despite it falling on a Sunday in 2026.

Cabinet okays poll reforms, Aadhar may be linked to electoral rolls

Cabinet okays poll reforms, Aadhar may be linked to electoral rolls

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday is learnt to have cleared a bill on electoral reforms, including the one to link electoral roll with Aadhaar on a voluntary basis to root out multiple enrolments.

Will set aside Bihar voter revision in case of illegality: SC

Will set aside Bihar voter revision in case of illegality: SC

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court has warned that it will set aside the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar if any illegality is found. The court is reviewing the validity of the Bihar SIR and its potential impact on a similar exercise across India.

UCC Can Wait, Personal Law Reforms Can't

UCC Can Wait, Personal Law Reforms Can't

Rediff.com8 Aug 2024

Crucial reforms in Muslim personal law, especially laws related to inheritance and adoption, need to be initiated forthwith; historically speaking, without the State's backing, hardly has any reform taken place or allowed to prevail, asserts Mohammad Sajjad.

EC to set up mobile phone deposit facility at polling stations

EC to set up mobile phone deposit facility at polling stations

Rediff.com23 May 2025

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that it will set up mobile phone deposit counters at polling stations to ensure that voters do not have to carry their phones inside the polling booth. This decision was taken after it was observed that several voters were concealing their phones in their clothes due to the absence of a facility to deposit it. The ECI has also rationalized the permissible norms for canvassing in line with the electoral laws to 100 meters from the entrance of the polling station.

Won't remove voters without notice: EC to SC on Bihar SIR

Won't remove voters without notice: EC to SC on Bihar SIR

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

The Election Commission has assured the Supreme Court that no voter's name will be deleted from the draft electoral roll in Bihar without prior notice and a fair hearing. The EC also clarified that it is not required to share separate lists of those not included in the draft rolls.

SC asks EC for details of Bihar's 65 lakh deleted voters

SC asks EC for details of Bihar's 65 lakh deleted voters

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to provide details regarding the approximately 65 lakh voters removed from the draft electoral rolls in Bihar, a state preparing for elections. The court's order comes in response to a petition filed by an NGO challenging the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Will step in if there's mass exclusion: SC on Bihar voter list

Will step in if there's mass exclusion: SC on Bihar voter list

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

The Supreme Court has stated it will intervene if there is mass exclusion in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, emphasizing the Election Commission's role as a constitutional authority.

'Vijay Is Still In KG': BJP

'Vijay Is Still In KG': BJP

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

'Vijay is a very confused, amateur politician.'

Bihar voter list row 'largely trust deficit', says SC

Bihar voter list row 'largely trust deficit', says SC

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has begun hearing petitions challenging the Election Commission's decision to conduct a special intensive revision exercise in Bihar ahead of elections, raising concerns about voter exclusion.

Indira Gandhi Or Modi: Who's India's Strongest PM?

Indira Gandhi Or Modi: Who's India's Strongest PM?

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

Mrs Gandhi's power ebbed and peaked with the times. Mr Modi's has almost been constant, barring the few months of hard dip after the 240 seats of 2024, points out Shekhar Gupta.

National Sports Governance Bill becomes an Act

National Sports Governance Bill becomes an Act

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

The National Sports Governance Bill has become an Act after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the landmark legislation that promises to revamp India's sports administration.

Parliament passes National Sports Bill after extensive discussion

Parliament passes National Sports Bill after extensive discussion

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The National Sports Governance Bill was on Tuesday passed by the Parliament with Rajya Sabha giving its nod a mere 24 hours after Lok Sabha.

Jaitley had defended anonymity of electoral bonds

Jaitley had defended anonymity of electoral bonds

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

Years before the Supreme Court struck down as 'unconstitutional' an opaque political funding tool that allowed individuals and companies to donate money to political parties anonymously and without any limits, the then finance minister Arun Jaitley -- the prime mover of electoral bonds -- had termed them legitimate and transparent.

EC had red flagged electoral bonds in 2019

EC had red flagged electoral bonds in 2019

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

The Election Commission (EC) had, in 2019, flagged its concerns in the Supreme Court on the changes made in several laws relating to political funding to facilitate the electoral bonds scheme, saying it will have 'serious repercussions' on transparency.

Will SBI Reveal Names Behind Electoral Bonds?

Will SBI Reveal Names Behind Electoral Bonds?

Rediff.com26 Feb 2024

Government unlikely to bring in an ordinance to address the developments arising out of the Supreme Court order.

The Lawyer Who Won Mahua Moitra's Heart

The Lawyer Who Won Mahua Moitra's Heart

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Four-time Odisha MP Pinaki Misra's wedding to firebrand TMC MP Mahua Moitra in a quiet, intimate ceremony that chose privacy and tradition over fanfare, was a reflection of his personal style.

Respect SC order, but...: BJP defends electoral bonds

Respect SC order, but...: BJP defends electoral bonds

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday defended the electoral bonds scheme, struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, saying it had a laudable objective of bringing transparency in poll funding.

Elections big budget affair, simultaneous ones save money: Law minister

Elections big budget affair, simultaneous ones save money: Law minister

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

Elections have become a "big budget affair" and holding simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and state assemblies would result in huge saving to the exchequer, the government said on Thursday.

'Electoral reforms no less important than Lokpal Bill'

'Electoral reforms no less important than Lokpal Bill'

Rediff.com13 Apr 2011

The Election Commission and the Law Ministry have joined hands to draw up a list of electoral reforms that seek to bar corrupt and criminal leaders from contesting polls, says Sheela Bhatt

Free, fair polls in Bangladesh after reforms in various sectors: Yunus

Free, fair polls in Bangladesh after reforms in various sectors: Yunus

Rediff.com25 Aug 2024

Yunus in his 26-minute speech did not give any deadline for the tenure of his interim government but acknowledged that "everyone is interested to know when our government will leave".

SC strikes down electoral bonds as 'unconstitutional', orders disclosure of donors

SC strikes down electoral bonds as 'unconstitutional', orders disclosure of donors

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

In a landmark judgment that delivered a big blow to the government, the Supreme Court on Thursday annulled the electoral bonds scheme, saying it violates the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression as well as the right to information.

'Second Coming' For TN's Autonomy Panel, But...

'Second Coming' For TN's Autonomy Panel, But...

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Given the possibilities that next year's assembly elections could throw up, Stalin told the state assembly that an interim report had to be submitted by January 2026. The outcomes may well find its way into the DMK's poll manifesto, thus seeking to keep the electoral focus still on the BJP-ruled Centre and Prime Minister Modi, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

'Budget Gives Middle Class Some Breathing Room'

'Budget Gives Middle Class Some Breathing Room'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

'But this Budget alone will not fix what ails the Indian economy.'

Will SC's Constitution bench bat for transparency in electoral bonds scheme?

Will SC's Constitution bench bat for transparency in electoral bonds scheme?

Rediff.com30 Oct 2023

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to commence a crucial hearing from Tuesday on a batch of pleas challenging the validity of the electoral bonds scheme for funding political parties.

Bill seeking to link electoral rolls with Aadhaar to be tabled in LS

Bill seeking to link electoral rolls with Aadhaar to be tabled in LS

Rediff.com19 Dec 2021

At the same time, the amendment bill makes it clear that 'no application for inclusion of name in the electoral roll shall be denied and no entries in the electoral roll shall be deleted for inability of an individual to furnish or intimate Aadhaar number due to such sufficient cause as may be prescribed'.

Call them back to office, they'll quit: Musk-Vivek's bold plan

Call them back to office, they'll quit: Musk-Vivek's bold plan

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Tesla owner billionaire Elon Musk and Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in an op-ed provided an insight into their blueprint for an unprecedented government reform that includes mass federal job cuts and massive expense reduction.

Reforms Need New Governance!

Reforms Need New Governance!

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

Till such time that a new governance framework comes into being, the progress of reforms in health, education, land, labour, electricity and agriculture could remain fraught with problems, agitations and delays, observes A K Bhattacharya.

What Reforms Can We Expect, Modiji?

What Reforms Can We Expect, Modiji?

Rediff.com9 Feb 2024

Assuming we still have a Modi-led majority government after May 2024, there is no guarantee that reforms will move at anything more than a snail's pace, though we must be thankful even for that, notes R Jagannathan.

SC to hear electoral bonds, FCRA, bringing parties under RTI pleas separately

SC to hear electoral bonds, FCRA, bringing parties under RTI pleas separately

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha said the petitions raise three separate issues and hence, the need to hear them separately.