News for 'chief election commissioner'

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.

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.

'Vote chori' issue raised by Cong, not INDIA bloc: Omar

'Vote chori' issue raised by Cong, not INDIA bloc: Omar

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah distanced himself from the 'vote chori' issue raised by the Congress, stating the INDIA bloc has no involvement.

Assam Seeks Fast-Track Court for Zubeen Garg Case

Assam Seeks Fast-Track Court for Zubeen Garg Case

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

The Assam Cabinet has decided to request the Gauhati High Court to establish a fast-track court to expedite the trial in the Zubeen Garg death case, following a request from the singer's family.

Mamata storms I-PAC chief's house during ED raid, alleges bid to seize TMC data

Mamata storms I-PAC chief's house during ED raid, alleges bid to seize TMC data

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday dramatically turned up at the residence of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) chief Pratik Jain amid an ongoing Enforcement Directorate raid, alleging that the central agency was attempting to seize the Trinamool Congress's internal documents, hard disks and sensitive data linked to its election strategy.

About 50% turnout in Maha civic polls; 41% polling in BMC

About 50% turnout in Maha civic polls; 41% polling in BMC

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

A BMC spokesperson said the average voter turnout stood at 29.96 per cent till 1.30 pm in the metropolis, which has more than 1 crore eligible electors.

'Vote chori' in Bihar polls, alleges Rahul; says EC main culprits

'Vote chori' in Bihar polls, alleges Rahul; says EC main culprits

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accuses the Election Commission of being complicit in 'vote theft' in Bihar, alleging manipulation of voter lists and preventing people from voting. He claims the EC officials are committing 'treachery against the Constitution'.

Be ready for SIR rollout by Sep 30: EC tells state officers

Be ready for SIR rollout by Sep 30: EC tells state officers

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are due in 2026.

Shiv Sena corporators vacate Mumbai hotel

Shiv Sena corporators vacate Mumbai hotel

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Corporators of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena have vacated their hotel in Mumbai after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election results. The corporators received guidance from Deputy CM Shinde during their stay.

Former MP IAS officer O P Rawat appointed as new Election Commissioner

Former MP IAS officer O P Rawat appointed as new Election Commissioner

Rediff.com13 Aug 2015

Om Prakash Rawat, a former Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer who till recently was Secretary at the Centre, was on Thursday appointed as the new Election Commissioner.

Probe into authenticity of resigned GST official's disability certificate

Probe into authenticity of resigned GST official's disability certificate

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

An investigation has been launched into the authenticity of the disability certificate of Prashant Kumar Singh, who resigned as GST Deputy Commissioner in protest against remarks made against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The probe was initiated following a complaint filed in 2021.

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended the swearing-in ceremony.

I won't question EVMs or VVPATs because....: Supriya Sule

I won't question EVMs or VVPATs because....: Supriya Sule

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule acknowledges the role of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in her four Lok Sabha election victories, refraining from blaming them despite being part of an opposition coalition.

Shivaji-Tipu remark: 9 injured as BJP, Cong workers clash

Shivaji-Tipu remark: 9 injured as BJP, Cong workers clash

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

BJP and Congress workers clashed in Pune following controversial remarks equating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan, leading to injuries and police intervention.

Bihar Electoral Tsunami No One Saw Coming

Bihar Electoral Tsunami No One Saw Coming

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

'Are elections still fair in India, or are we all witness to a macabre style of 'selection' of lawmakers? The jury will be out on this for a long time because there is no definitive evidence on either contention, at least as yet,' notes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author, Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.

EC to launch phased voter list revision, may start with poll-bound states

EC to launch phased voter list revision, may start with poll-bound states

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

The Election Commission is ramping up preparations for a special intensive revision of voter lists across India, assessing the progress made on mapping current electors with voters as per the last SIR in different states.

'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.

Seat-Sharing Talks Heat Up For Bihar Polls

Seat-Sharing Talks Heat Up For Bihar Polls

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Less than 10 days are left for filing of nomination papers for the first phase of the Bihar polls.

Simultaneous polls not possible before 2024, says former election commissioner

Simultaneous polls not possible before 2024, says former election commissioner

Rediff.com22 Jan 2018

Ideally, it is good to have simultaneous elections, once every five years, former Chief Election Commissioner Krishnamurthy said, when asked to share his view on the issue, repeatedly advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Wake up at 4 am, eliminate 2 votes: Rahul's dig at EC

Wake up at 4 am, eliminate 2 votes: Rahul's dig at EC

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday reiterated his 'vote chori' allegations and took a swipe at the Election Commission, calling it an 'election watchman' who 'stayed awake, watched the theft, and protected the thieves'.

'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.

Should EC allow dead voters on list?: CEC amid Bihar SIR row

Should EC allow dead voters on list?: CEC amid Bihar SIR row

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The Opposition has claimed that the move will disenfranchise crores of eligible citizens.

Former CEC Navin Chawla dies at 79

Former CEC Navin Chawla dies at 79

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Navin Chawla, passed away on Saturday at the age of 79. Chawla, a former bureaucrat, served as the election commissioner between 2005 and 2009, and then as chief election commissioner from April 2009 to July 2010.

2 officials die, another paralysed amid claims of 'SIR pressure'

2 officials die, another paralysed amid claims of 'SIR pressure'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

A series of deaths and health-related incidents involving staff deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in multiple states has triggered alarm, even as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, calling the ongoing exercise 'chaotic, coercive and dangerous'.

Maharashtra civic polls: Personal campaign allowed after deadline

Maharashtra civic polls: Personal campaign allowed after deadline

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

The Maharashtra State Election Commission has prohibited civic poll candidates from using microphones and moving in large groups during door-to-door canvassing after the end of the public campaign. Opposition parties have criticised the decision.

India-Bangladesh Ties May Warm Up After BNP Win

India-Bangladesh Ties May Warm Up After BNP Win

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

'The people of Bangladesh have voted for a party that represents political interest.'
'It is a pro-Liberation party and it believes in the spirit of 1971, as opposed to the Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to the Liberation struggle of Bangladesh in 1971.'

UP GST officer quits over Shankaracharya's remarks against Adityanath

UP GST officer quits over Shankaracharya's remarks against Adityanath

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

A GST Deputy Commissioner, Prashant Kumar Singh, resigned in protest against Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand's remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, citing attempts to divide the nation on caste and religious lines.

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'.

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.

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Ajit Pawar became a ray of hope for Muslims, the only man in power who could resolve their grievances.

Assembly bypolls in J-K, 6 states to be held on Nov 11

Assembly bypolls in J-K, 6 states to be held on Nov 11

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

The counting of votes will be done on November 14, along with the Bihar assembly election votes.

BJP set to end Thackeray era as Ritu Tawde to become Mumbai mayor

BJP set to end Thackeray era as Ritu Tawde to become Mumbai mayor

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated corporator Ritu Tawade for the Mumbai mayor election, while its ally Shiv Sena declared Sanjay Ghadi as its candidate for the deputy mayor's post.

Bangladesh elections will be held in first week of Feb 2026: EC

Bangladesh elections will be held in first week of Feb 2026: EC

Rediff.com9 Aug 2025

Bangladesh's Election Commission has announced that general elections will be held in the first week of February 2025. The announcement comes amid concerns about ensuring a free, fair, and impartial election. The BNP is expected to participate, potentially without its former ally, Jamaat-e-Islami.

Vijay's TVK not a recognised political party: EC

Vijay's TVK not a recognised political party: EC

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The Election Commission of India informed the Madras High Court that actor Vijay's TVK is not a recognised political party during a hearing regarding a PIL seeking its derecognition following a stampede at a party rally.

'Mumbai mayor to be from...': Eknath Shinde meets new corporators

'Mumbai mayor to be from...': Eknath Shinde meets new corporators

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Amid speculation in political circles over Shiv Sena's stand vis-a-vis the next mayor of Mumbai, party leader and minister Uday Samant said the civic body polls were contested as the Mahayuti alliance.

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.

Bihar Dy CM alleges RJD attack on convoy; EC directs DGP to act

Bihar Dy CM alleges RJD attack on convoy; EC directs DGP to act

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Reacting to the alleged incident, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed the DGP to take "immediate action".

Bihar polls: Prashant Kishor to contest, announces candidates

Bihar polls: Prashant Kishor to contest, announces candidates

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor announces his participation in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, with the candidate list to be revealed on October 9. He predicts a significant vote share for his party and claims it will be Nitish Kumar's last election as Chief Minister.

More than 10 lakh SIR forms 'uncollectable' in Bengal: CEO

More than 10 lakh SIR forms 'uncollectable' in Bengal: CEO

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer reports over 10 lakh SIR enumeration forms identified as 'uncollectable' due to absentee voters, duplicates, deaths, or permanent relocation. The special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway with significant BLO involvement.

BJP-Sena capture BMC, break Thackeray hold after 25 yrs

BJP-Sena capture BMC, break Thackeray hold after 25 yrs

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

The BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance secured a majority in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, winning 118 out of 227 seats and ending the Thackeray family's long-standing control.