News for 'State Election Commission'

'All options open': Cong on Bihar 'poll boycott'

'All options open': Cong on Bihar 'poll boycott'

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The Congress party has voiced its opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, calling it a 'Tughlaqi process'. The party stated that all options are open for the INDIA bloc to collectively decide on the issue.

Nitish Kumar Has The Opportunity Of A Lifetime To Change Bihar

Nitish Kumar Has The Opportunity Of A Lifetime To Change Bihar

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

If he cannot do it this term by using his bureaucracy and experts from different fields, it will be a tragedy, asserts Ramesh Menon.

Bihar's Revision Of Voters List: What's Cooking?

Bihar's Revision Of Voters List: What's Cooking?

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

'The Election Commission is conducting the National Register of Citizens in Bihar through the backdoor.'

VP polls: Despite number crunch, INDIA to put up joint candidate

VP polls: Despite number crunch, INDIA to put up joint candidate

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

The INDIA bloc is set to field a joint candidate for the upcoming vice presidential elections. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is engaging with opposition parties to identify potential candidates and build consensus. The decision reflects a unified front among opposition parties aiming to send a strong political message.

EC to issue new voter cards to all electors of Bihar

EC to issue new voter cards to all electors of Bihar

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

The Election Commission plans to issue new voter identity cards to all electors of Bihar after the completion of the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral rolls in the state.

Bihar polls: Tejashwi's stronghold faces BJP challenge

Bihar polls: Tejashwi's stronghold faces BJP challenge

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

Raghopur assembly constituency in Bihar prepares for a high-stakes election where voters may be deciding the next chief minister. Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD's CM candidate, seeks a third term, facing a strong challenge from BJP's Satish Kumar.

Vote deletion can't be done online: EC on Rahul charge

Vote deletion can't be done online: EC on Rahul charge

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

The Election Commission has refuted allegations made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that CEC Gyanesh Kumar is protecting 'vote chors,' calling the claims incorrect and baseless.

Is Modi's 'Mr India' Image Fading?

Is Modi's 'Mr India' Image Fading?

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'The Election Commission's involvement in the avoidable SIR controversy has carried a message down to the last voter -- who just does not like it,' observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

INDIA candidates face each other in several Bihar seats

INDIA candidates face each other in several Bihar seats

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Filing of nomination papers ended on Monday for the second and final phase of Bihar assembly polls, with the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appearing fractured, as constituents would end up fighting each other in a number of seats.

Rahul Gandhi launches 'voter adhikar yatra' in Bihar for voting rights

Rahul Gandhi launches 'voter adhikar yatra' in Bihar for voting rights

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar to advocate for fair elections and protect voting rights, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and accusing the BJP of attempting to disenfranchise voters.

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.

Election Commission's real heroes

Election Commission's real heroes

Rediff.com12 Apr 2011

As you drive into Chennai, what is striking is the conspicuous absence of posters, banners, hoardings in the city, even though campaigning is at its peak for the April 13 elections in the state.

Meet next CJI who gave Kejri bail; SIR, Art 370 verdicts

Meet next CJI who gave Kejri bail; SIR, Art 370 verdicts

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

Justice Surya Kant is set to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India, bringing extensive experience and a record of significant verdicts on key issues.

'Society has accepted': RSS leader on Kharge's 'ban' demand

'Society has accepted': RSS leader on Kharge's 'ban' demand

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

'Such attempts were made three times in the past. What did society say then? What did the court say? Despite all this, the Sangh's work kept growing. There must be valid reasons to impose a ban'

Revealed! How much money BJP spent on 2024 elections

Revealed! How much money BJP spent on 2024 elections

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spent Rs 1,737.68 crore for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, according to the expenditure report submitted to the Election Commission of India. A majority of the funds were allocated to general party propaganda and candidate-related expenses, with media advertisements accounting for a significant portion. The BJP's election outreach also included extensive use of publicity materials and campaign-related travel. The party's expenditure on public meetings, processions, and rallies, including arrangements for stages, audio setups, barricades, and vehicles, stood at Rs 19.84 crore. The travel expenditure of star campaigners authorized by the party's central headquarters amounted to Rs 168.92 crore, while Rs 2.53 crore was spent on the travel of other party leaders.

EC activates field machinery for pan-India voter review

EC activates field machinery for pan-India voter review

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

The Election Commission of India is preparing for a nationwide special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, following a Supreme Court ruling. This move aims to update voter lists and address concerns about illegal migrants.

One nation, one election: Kovind panel report placed before Cabinet

One nation, one election: Kovind panel report placed before Cabinet

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

Simultaneous polls will help save resources, spur development and social cohesion, deepen "foundations of democratic rubric" and help realise the aspirations of "India, that is Bharat", the panel had said.

EC to finalise date for nationwide voter list revision

EC to finalise date for nationwide voter list revision

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

This is the third meeting of CEOs after Gyanesh Kumar took over as the chief election commissioner in February. However, Wednesday's day-long meeting assumes significance as the preparedness of a pan-India SIR are being discussed, officials said.

Have 100% proof of EC allowing cheating, won't...: Rahul

Have 100% proof of EC allowing cheating, won't...: Rahul

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

"We just looked at one constituency and we found this. I am absolutely convinced that constituency after constituency this is the drama that is taking place. Thousands and thousands of new voters, how old are they? -- 45, 50, 60, 65, thousands and thousands of them in one constituency. This is one thing, voter deletion, voter addition, new voters who are way above 18 (is going on)... so we have caught them," he said.

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?"

SC to hear pleas against Bihar electoral roll revision on Monday

SC to hear pleas against Bihar electoral roll revision on Monday

Rediff.com7 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission's decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Political parties and other petitioners have raised concerns about the revision process.

Final Bihar voter tally falls to 7.42 cr after EC revision

Final Bihar voter tally falls to 7.42 cr after EC revision

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

The Election Commission on Tuesday announced that it has come out with the "final electoral roll" in Bihar ahead of the assembly polls, taking into account all the claims and objections to the draft voters' lists, which were published as part of special intensive revision (SIR).

Oppn plans to bring impeachment notice against EC chief over 'voter chori'

Oppn plans to bring impeachment notice against EC chief over 'voter chori'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

Opposition INDIA Bloc leaders are considering an impeachment notice against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over concerns about voter roll revision in Bihar and alleged vote theft. The move comes after the CEC addressed a press conference without addressing the opposition's questions.

Prove 'vote theft' claim or say sorry, EC tells Rahul Gandhi again

Prove 'vote theft' claim or say sorry, EC tells Rahul Gandhi again

Rediff.com9 Aug 2025

Election Commission asks Rahul Gandhi to either sign a declaration to support his vote theft claims or apologise for making 'fake' charges.

'Sweeping powers' to EC: Gogoi, other ex-CJIs flag concern

'Sweeping powers' to EC: Gogoi, other ex-CJIs flag concern

Rediff.com6 Jul 2025

Former chief justices of India, who have conveyed their views to a parliamentary committee on the bill proposing simultaneous polls, have endorsed the constitutionality of the 'one nation, one election' concept but have raised concerns over its various aspects, including the power given to the Election Commission, and offered suggestions.

'Loktantra, not Loktantar': BJP mocks Oppn over misspelling in banner

'Loktantra, not Loktantar': BJP mocks Oppn over misspelling in banner

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The BJP criticized opposition parties for misspelling 'loktantra' (democracy) on a protest banner during a demonstration against electoral roll revisions in Bihar.

'Every Indian Is A Potential Illegal Immigrant'

'Every Indian Is A Potential Illegal Immigrant'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

'The long term strategy is that this government wants to create a second class citizen list.'

When Nitish Kumar Took On Bihar Dons

When Nitish Kumar Took On Bihar Dons

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

Nitish thought that his stakes as chief minister were far greater than his stakes in protecting one of his party MLAs. He could not allow his rule-of-law train to be derailed by a small rock on the track. On the contrary, if he removed it to keep the train moving at a steady speed he would gain strong public admiration and sympathy that would help him take the masses along in carrying out other tasks. A fascinating excerpt from Arun Sinha's Nitish Kumar And The Rise Of Bihar.

Bihar SIR 'accurate', not a single appeal from voter: EC to SC

Bihar SIR 'accurate', not a single appeal from voter: EC to SC

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

The Election Commission defended its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise for Bihar's voter list in the Supreme Court, calling it accurate and dismissing allegations of impropriety by political parties and NGOs.

EC is 'deleting evidence' instead of giving answers: Rahul

EC is 'deleting evidence' instead of giving answers: Rahul

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Gandhi has been demanding voter lists, poll data and video footage from the election commission, alleging irregularities in Maharashtra assembly elections.

No budget before state elections, demands opposition

No budget before state elections, demands opposition

Rediff.com4 Jan 2017

Parties including the Congress, Left, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have written to the Election Commission and the President opposing the advancing of the budget presentation to February 1 before the polls.

Mahua challenges EC's Bihar voter list revision in SC

Mahua challenges EC's Bihar voter list revision in SC

Rediff.com6 Jul 2025

Trinamool Congress leader and Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra has moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the Election Commission of India for special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.

'Bulldozer Justice Continues Despite SC Verdict'

'Bulldozer Justice Continues Despite SC Verdict'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

'Even as the Supreme Court's anti-punitive demolition judgment nears its first anniversary, no formal contempt proceedings have been initiated either by the Supreme Court or any high court against officers or demolition squads who have acted in violation of it.'

Amit Shah woos Bihar voters with defence corridor, factories

Amit Shah woos Bihar voters with defence corridor, factories

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised a defence corridor and factories in each district of Bihar if the NDA wins the upcoming elections. He also outlined plans for flood control, infrastructure development, and revival of sugar mills.

'Conduct Of Elections Has Become Suspicious'

'Conduct Of Elections Has Become Suspicious'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

'Whenever the hike in voting percentage is more, the NDA gains more, and when the hike is negligible, the NDA falls.' 'I have established this in UP, Haryana and Jharkhand.'

Cong to hold first CWC meet in Bihar post-1947

Cong to hold first CWC meet in Bihar post-1947

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Sources said a couple of resolutions are expected to be passed at the crucial meeting, with an eye on the upcoming Bihar polls.

'Linking Aadhar With Voter ID Is Very Dangerous'

'Linking Aadhar With Voter ID Is Very Dangerous'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

'The protection of secrecy and anonymity gets lost with this linking.'

What Democrats Can Learn From Zohran Mamdani

What Democrats Can Learn From Zohran Mamdani

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

His victory means that his party will have to learn from him, because after the rise of Donald Trump, the Democrats have been in disarray. They have had no real answer to the Trump phenomenon and Zohran, with his emphatic and clear policies aimed at working class Americans offers them a national path for a return, asserts Aakar Patel.

Rahul warns CEC, 2 ECs of stern action when INDIA bloc forms govt

Rahul warns CEC, 2 ECs of stern action when INDIA bloc forms govt

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified his attack on the Election Commission, accusing them of 'vote chori' and warning of action if the INDIA bloc forms the government. He alleged a 'new special package' for Bihar, named SIR (Special Intensive Revision), is a 'new form of vote theft'.

'ECI Has No Right To Ask Anyone To Apologise'

'ECI Has No Right To Ask Anyone To Apologise'

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

'The EC should not have let the initiative go into the hands of the political leadership. By allowing this to happen, they have opened a Pandora's box.'