News for 'State Election Commissions'

MVA, MNS to go ahead with Mumbai rally on fake vote row, defying police

MVA, MNS to go ahead with Mumbai rally on fake vote row, defying police

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

The rally is being organised to protest against alleged electoral roll manipulation in the Maharashtra assembly elections, with opposition parties alleging that there were around 96 lakh fake votes which had been added in the 2024 assembly elections.

Maha set for major civic battle in Mumbai, 28 bodies on Jan 15

Maha set for major civic battle in Mumbai, 28 bodies on Jan 15

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Votes will be counted on January 16 and the outcome will be keenly watched as the BJP-led Mahayuti will seek to stamp its supremacy in urban landscape, especially in Mumbai, while the Opposition parties will try to redeem themselves after last year's rout in assembly polls.

CPM in SC against SIR, asks to be heard with DMK on Tuesday

CPM in SC against SIR, asks to be heard with DMK on Tuesday

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has approached the Supreme Court, contesting the legality of the Election Commission's order for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, alleging it is arbitrary and unconstitutional.

'Don't rob Gen Z of votes': Uddhav seeks to scrap 'unopposed' civic poll wins

'Don't rob Gen Z of votes': Uddhav seeks to scrap 'unopposed' civic poll wins

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demands cancellation of civic elections where candidates won unopposed, alleging corruption and manipulation by ruling parties. He also criticizes the Maharashtra legislative assembly speaker and the misuse of BMC funds.

Govt officials can't work as state election commissioners: SC

Govt officials can't work as state election commissioners: SC

Rediff.com12 Mar 2021

In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court on Friday held that a person employed with the government cannot work as state election commissioners (SECs) and came down on the Goa government for giving its law secretary the additional charge of the SEC.

Less than 1%, NOTA fails to make a mark in state elections

Less than 1%, NOTA fails to make a mark in state elections

Rediff.com3 Dec 2023

The counting of votes in three out of four states on Sunday showed that less than 1 percent of the voters exercised the 'none of the above' option in the just-concluded assembly polls, according to the election commission.

EC flags 26 lakh Bengal voter mismatches with 2002 list

EC flags 26 lakh Bengal voter mismatches with 2002 list

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

The Election Commission reports a discrepancy of nearly 26 lakh voters' names in West Bengal's current electoral rolls when compared to the 2002 voter list.

EC to conduct house-to-house verification of voters in Assam

EC to conduct house-to-house verification of voters in Assam

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

The Election Commission has ordered a 'Special Revision' of electoral rolls in Assam, with the final voter list to be published on February 10, 2026. The revision aims to ensure clean and accurate electoral rolls, with house-to-house verification taking place from November 22 to December 20.

Look, Who's Slamming Rahul Gandhi...

Look, Who's Slamming Rahul Gandhi...

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

'Theatrics replace analysis. Public spectacle takes the place of public service.'

Karnataka CEO to probe Rahul Gandhi's election fraud claims: DKS

Karnataka CEO to probe Rahul Gandhi's election fraud claims: DKS

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer has ordered an investigation into Rahul Gandhi's allegations of election fraud in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The CEO has requested supporting documents from Congress leader D K Shivakumar.

Brazilian model among 25 lakh fake voters in Haryana: Rahul

Brazilian model among 25 lakh fake voters in Haryana: Rahul

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

During the presser, Gandhi showed a picture of a woman who appears on the voter list 22 times in 10 booths in the Rai assembly constituency, and said this shows that this was a 'centralised operation'.

BLOs stir over poll official's suicide halts Kerala SIR

BLOs stir over poll official's suicide halts Kerala SIR

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Booth-level officers in Kerala boycotted work following the suicide of a colleague allegedly due to work strain related to the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Trade unions and political leaders are demanding investigations and changes to the process.

Right now, only a little, will release more: Rahul on vote theft charges

Right now, only a little, will release more: Rahul on vote theft charges

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

Rahul Gandhi alleges that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is an attempt to cover up "vote theft" and institutionalize it, claiming similar incidents occurred in other states.

SIR Exercise Covers Half Of Electorates

SIR Exercise Covers Half Of Electorates

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

Since 2004, 12 states have added 160 million people to their rolls.

Raj, Uddhav, Pawar meet poll officers over voter list anomalies

Raj, Uddhav, Pawar meet poll officers over voter list anomalies

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

A delegation of Opposition leaders in Maharashtra, including Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Raj Thackeray, met with the state's chief electoral officer to raise concerns about alleged irregularities in the poll process, particularly regarding the voters' list, ahead of local body elections.

BMC polls on as SC asks Maha to notify local elections in 4 weeks

BMC polls on as SC asks Maha to notify local elections in 4 weeks

Rediff.com6 May 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the Maharashtra state election commission to notify local body elections in the state within four weeks. The court also ruled that the contentious issue of OBC reservation in local body polls will be as it existed prior to the 2022 Banthia Commission report. The court accepted the commission's report, which recommended a census to fix exact data on OBCs and reserve 27 per cent seats for the category in local body polls in Maharashtra. The bench on Tuesday fixed a timeline for concluding the local body polls and asked the state panel to conclude it in four months. The outcome of Maharashtra local body elections would be subject to decisions in pending petitions before the apex court.

HC defers counting of votes in Maha local polls to Dec 21

HC defers counting of votes in Maha local polls to Dec 21

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule blames the State Election Commission (SEC) for the Bombay High Court's decision to defer the counting of votes for local bodies polls, citing 'misinterpretation of laws'.

Political parties out of purview of RTI: Election Commission

Political parties out of purview of RTI: Election Commission

Rediff.com27 May 2018

The order is is contrary to the Central Information Commission's directive bringing six national parties under the transparency law.

BJP dominates Maha municipal polls, tops five of six divisions

BJP dominates Maha municipal polls, tops five of six divisions

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

The BJP has emerged as the most dominant force in the recently-held municipal council and nagar panchayat elections in Maharashtra, securing the highest number of seats in five out of the state's six administrative divisions.

Don't conduct local body polls until...: MNS chief slams EC on voter list

Don't conduct local body polls until...: MNS chief slams EC on voter list

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Criticising the Election Commission ahead of the local body elections, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Monday claimed that 9.6 million fake voters have been added, as per the information received.

Rahul claims EC has shut its websites in 3 states

Rahul claims EC has shut its websites in 3 states

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his vote theft allegations and criticized the Election Commission for demanding an affidavit to support his claims. He alleged collusion between the EC and BJP to steal the Lok Sabha election and called for investigation into election irregularities.

BJP-led Mahayuti clinches 25 of 29 Maha civic bodies

BJP-led Mahayuti clinches 25 of 29 Maha civic bodies

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Breaking the nearly three-decade-old dominance of the undivided Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday emerged victorious in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, and also vanquished the alliance of Nationalist Congress Party factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar in the Pune civic body.

Will the Election Commission censure BJP leader?

Will the Election Commission censure BJP leader?

Rediff.com18 Oct 2019

The Election Commission sent a notice to Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the BJP's Mumbai chief. This is probably because a leading newspaper highlighted his utterances on its front page.

Bengal SIR redraws voter map with over 58 lakh deletions

Bengal SIR redraws voter map with over 58 lakh deletions

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

The Election Commission released the names of deleted voters in West Bengal ahead of the publication of the draft electoral rolls for the upcoming assembly elections.

If someone tries to hit me...: Mamata after I-PAC raids

If someone tries to hit me...: Mamata after I-PAC raids

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Turning her guns on the Election Commission, Banerjee alleged that the BJP had "stolen" the mandate in Maharashtra with the poll panel's help and was now attempting to replicate it in Bengal through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise by deleting genuine voters' names.

10.56 lakh voters deleted after SIR in Assam

10.56 lakh voters deleted after SIR in Assam

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

Over 10.56 lakh voters have been deleted from Assam's electoral rolls following a Special Revision, ahead of upcoming assembly elections. The revision included house-to-house verification and aims to create an error-free electoral roll.

Delhi MCD bypolls: BJP wins 7 wards, AAP 3, Cong opens account

Delhi MCD bypolls: BJP wins 7 wards, AAP 3, Cong opens account

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

These civic body bypolls were a litmus test for the BJP, as they were its first big electoral battle after coming to power in Delhi in February this year.

'Hindus Voted Overwhelmingly For BNP'

'Hindus Voted Overwhelmingly For BNP'

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

'Tarique Rahman's refrain during the electoral campaign was that the minorities are safe under BNP. He has to honour that promise.'

Halt 'flawed' SIR or risk mass disenfranchisement, Mamata warns EC

Halt 'flawed' SIR or risk mass disenfranchisement, Mamata warns EC

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged the Election Commission to halt the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, citing irregularities and potential disenfranchisement.

'Serious breach': EC seeks report over BLOs protest in Kolkata

'Serious breach': EC seeks report over BLOs protest in Kolkata

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

The Election Commission has sought a report from the Kolkata Police Commissioner regarding a protest by booth-level officers (BLOs) at the West Bengal CEO's office, citing a "serious security breach".

Serious anomalies in counting process, alleges Bihar Congress chief

Serious anomalies in counting process, alleges Bihar Congress chief

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram raised doubts over the integrity of the counting process as Election Commission trends placed the NDA ahead. He alleged serious anomalies and accused the administration of attempting to steal votes, while other Congress leaders urged patience until final results.

Will move court on Tuesday against inhuman conduct of SIR: Mamata

Will move court on Tuesday against inhuman conduct of SIR: Mamata

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announces legal action against the Election Commission's electoral roll revision, alleging disenfranchisement and procedural flaws.

Protesting BLOs, BJP delegation in face-off outside Kolkata CEO office

Protesting BLOs, BJP delegation in face-off outside Kolkata CEO office

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

A section of BLOs in West Bengal protested excessive workload during the SIR process, leading to clashes with BJP supporters outside the CEO's office. The protest highlights concerns over the enumeration exercise and accusations of political interference.

Army goes to governor over Mamata's SIR allegation

Army goes to governor over Mamata's SIR allegation

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

The Indian Army's Eastern Command has sought the intervention of West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose in connection with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent allegation that a senior army officer was using the command base at Fort William and working on the SIR exercise at the behest of the BJP.

Election Commission or Mamata, who will blink first?

Election Commission or Mamata, who will blink first?

Rediff.com8 Apr 2014

The confrontation between the Election Commission and the West Bengal government escalated by a few notches on Tuesday, with Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath asking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to transfer five superintendents of police and one district magistrate (North 24-Parganas) by 2.30 pm on Tuesday, after Opposition parties complained against these officers and accused them of being biased.

EC dismisses Trinamool charge of SIR-related deaths

EC dismisses Trinamool charge of SIR-related deaths

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

A Trinamool Congress delegation on Friday alleged before the Election Commission top brass that around 40 SIR-related deaths had occurred in West Bengal so far, a charge junked by the poll authority.

Congratulations to Gyanesh Kumar: Oppn on NDA's big Bihar win

Congratulations to Gyanesh Kumar: Oppn on NDA's big Bihar win

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance appeared to register a landslide victory in Bihar, opening up impressive leads in more than 180 of the state's 243 assembly seats, with early trends also indicating that the saffron party was on track to post its biggest tally.

I know you won't...: Mamata in 3rd letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar

I know you won't...: Mamata in 3rd letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

In her third letter to Kumar since the SIR began, Banerjee accused the Election Commission of political bias, insensitivity, and high-handedness during the exercise.

ICSSR to issue show cause notice to CSDS amid 'vote chori' row

ICSSR to issue show cause notice to CSDS amid 'vote chori' row

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

The council said it takes serious cognisance of the alleged data manipulation by the CSDS and its attempt to create a narrative to undermine the sanctity of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Mamata's Bhabanipur sees high voter deletions, surpasses Nandigram

Mamata's Bhabanipur sees high voter deletions, surpasses Nandigram

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Election Commission data reveals Bhabanipur constituency in West Bengal recorded significantly higher voter deletions compared to Nandigram, sparking political debate ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.