News for 'chief electoral officer'

Public spat, WhatsApp war among MPs expose TMC's internal rift

Public spat, WhatsApp war among MPs expose TMC's internal rift

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

Infighting within West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) came to the fore after a video of an alleged verbal spat between party MPs and screenshots of heated exchanges from its official WhatsApp group for parliamentarians went viral. The incident reportedly involved a public altercation at the Election Commission headquarters, followed by a heated exchange on the party's WhatsApp group, leading to accusations of misconduct and leaked screenshots. The controversy has triggered calls for action against the party chief whip, Kalyan Banerjee, who is accused of misbehavior and tarnishing the party's image.

UP bureaucrat on Gujarat poll duty shunted for posting pix on Insta

UP bureaucrat on Gujarat poll duty shunted for posting pix on Insta

Rediff.com18 Nov 2022

An Uttar Pradesh Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer has been removed as a general observer for Gujarat assembly polls by the Election Commission for indulging in a 'publicity stunt' by posting pictures of his assignment on Instagram, sources said on Friday.

HC relief for Union minister Shobha Karandlaje over cafe blast remarks

HC relief for Union minister Shobha Karandlaje over cafe blast remarks

Rediff.com22 Mar 2024

Justice Krishna S Dixit, presiding over a single judge bench, issued notice to the parties concerned and paused the ongoing investigation.

Haryana families to get invitation letter to cast vote

Haryana families to get invitation letter to cast vote

Rediff.com24 Apr 2024

In a novel initiative aimed at increasing voter turnout in Haryana, the state election commission will send an invitation letter to every family in the state urging them to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha polls.

Justice Gavai to be next CJI, have 6-month tenure

Justice Gavai to be next CJI, have 6-month tenure

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has recommended Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as the next CJI. Justice Gavai, the second most senior Supreme Court judge, will become the 52nd CJI on May 14, 2024, after CJI Khanna's retirement on May 13. Justice Gavai has served on several important Constitution benches and has been a part of landmark verdicts, including the one upholding the Centre's decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370.

'Weapons planted in Sandeshkhal': TMC sniffs BJP-CBI-NSG conspiracy

'Weapons planted in Sandeshkhal': TMC sniffs BJP-CBI-NSG conspiracy

Rediff.com27 Apr 2024

The party also doubted "there is no way of knowing with certainty as to whether these weapons were indeed recovered during the search or whether they were surreptitiously planted by the CBI or NSG".

Kangana faces 'go back' slogans over Dalai Lama remark

Kangana faces 'go back' slogans over Dalai Lama remark

Rediff.com21 May 2024

Kangana later apologised saying she didn't mean to hurt anyone, and it was a harmless joke about Biden being friends with the Dalai Lama.

Cong 'assassinating' Kangana's character: BJP moves EC

Cong 'assassinating' Kangana's character: BJP moves EC

Rediff.com21 Apr 2024

The Himachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party Sunday filed a complaint against the Congress and the Hamirpur Youth Congress Club for allegedly portraying actor and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, in a negative light by using pictures from her films.

Revise Mumbai's electoral rolls, asks BJP after names go missing

Revise Mumbai's electoral rolls, asks BJP after names go missing

Rediff.com25 Apr 2014

A day after over two lakh Mumbaikars, including several prominent personalities, were left disenfranchised after their names were found missing from the electoral rolls, the Bharatiya Janata Party asked the election authorities on Friday, to revise electoral rolls.

With new hq, Congress leaves behind more than an address

With new hq, Congress leaves behind more than an address

Rediff.com14 Jan 2025

The Indian National Congress, India's oldest political party, is moving from its longtime headquarters at 24 Akbar Road to a new building called Indira Gandhi Bhawan. The move marks the end of an era for the Congress, which has been headquartered at 24 Akbar Road for nearly 50 years.

Where Does Shashi Tharoor Go From Here?

Where Does Shashi Tharoor Go From Here?

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

The political and ideological differences between the Congress and Shashi Tharoor is no longer a matter of whispers.

BFI president elections to witness four-cornered fight

BFI president elections to witness four-cornered fight

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

Boxing Federation of India (BFI) chief Ajay Singh will be up against secretary general Hemanta Kalita, vice-president Rajesh Bhandari, and Kerala State Amateur Boxing Association secretary D Chandralal when the BFI holds its long-awaited elections on March 28.

Palaniswami meets Amit Shah; doesn't rule out BJP tie-up for TN polls

Palaniswami meets Amit Shah; doesn't rule out BJP tie-up for TN polls

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has asserted that alliances are formed only at the time of elections and declined to categorically say if his party would align with the BJP for the 2026 Assembly polls. Palaniswami met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday and brought to his attention several issues faced by Tamil Nadu, including the need for funds release, the implementation of the Godavari-Cauvery river linking plan, and a probe into the "TASMAC scam." He said that while the party would decide on an alliance at the time of the election, he did not rule out a tie-up with the BJP.

Exclusive: SECRET behind Gujarat's super voter turnout!

Exclusive: SECRET behind Gujarat's super voter turnout!

Rediff.com17 Dec 2012

Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Anita Karwal tells Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore about the amazing ways state electoral officers boosted voter sentiment, and the likely reasons behind the high turnout in the first phase of the assembly election. An exclusive interview!

EC sets up 200 polling booths inside UP housing societies to pull voters

EC sets up 200 polling booths inside UP housing societies to pull voters

Rediff.com14 Apr 2024

The Election Commission of India has set up more than 200 polling stations within housing societies in the urban areas of Uttar Pradesh to increase the voter turnout in the politically crucial state.

Brij Bhushan, son not part of electoral college; son-in-law to represent Bihar

Brij Bhushan, son not part of electoral college; son-in-law to represent Bihar

Rediff.com25 Jul 2023

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his son Karan are not part of the electoral college for the upcoming Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections.

Uttarakhand: BJP, Cong veterans persuade rebels to withdraw nomination

Uttarakhand: BJP, Cong veterans persuade rebels to withdraw nomination

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

As per Joint Chief Electoral Officer Pratap Singh Shah, around 95 candidates from 70 assembly seats withdrew their names on the last date for withdrawal of nomination which was Monday.

SC directs AAP to vacate Rouse Avenue office by Aug 10

SC directs AAP to vacate Rouse Avenue office by Aug 10

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

The top court had on March 4 directed the party to vacate its office by June 15 after noting that the plot was allotted to the Delhi high court for expanding judicial infrastructure.

K'taka polls: 2,613 candidates in fray, parties face rebel threat

K'taka polls: 2,613 candidates in fray, parties face rebel threat

Rediff.com25 Apr 2023

A total of 517 candidates have withdrawn their candidature till on Monday, even as parties faced "rebel trouble" in several segments.

EC begins preparations for 2024 Lok Sabha poll

EC begins preparations for 2024 Lok Sabha poll

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

"Mock polls" are part of the first level check (FLC) process.

Rajasthan polls: Over 68% voting, stray incidents of violence

Rajasthan polls: Over 68% voting, stray incidents of violence

Rediff.com25 Nov 2023

In the last assembly elections in 2018, the state recorded a voter turnout of 74.06 per cent. The Election Commission has set a target of at least 75 per cent turnout in each constituency this time.

Security provided to Nandigram returning officer: Bengal govt to EC

Security provided to Nandigram returning officer: Bengal govt to EC

Rediff.com4 May 2021

On Monday, the TMC leader had alleged that the returning officer of Nandigram did not order recounting of votes even after she demanded it as he feared for his life.

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.

J-K polls: 61% voter turnout in phase 1; polling figures may go up

J-K polls: 61% voter turnout in phase 1; polling figures may go up

Rediff.com19 Sep 2024

A turnout of about 59 percent -- the highest in the past seven elections -- was recorded in the first phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole said, adding polling passed off peacefully.

Polling officials trek, cross rivers to reach Meghalaya booths

Polling officials trek, cross rivers to reach Meghalaya booths

Rediff.com26 Feb 2023

Over 19,000 polling officials have been deployed at 3,419 booths set up for the elections to the 59 assembly seats, Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor said.

Punjab sees 45 per cent polling by afternoon

Punjab sees 45 per cent polling by afternoon

Rediff.com30 Jan 2012

Around 1.76 crore voters are expected to cast their franchise on Monday to choose representative from among 1,078 candidates, including two chief ministerial aspirants Parkash Singh Badal and Amarinder Singh, in fray for 117 assembly seats in Punjab where polling began on Monday morning.

Fake voters' list row rocks Palakkad bypoll; EC warns of action

Fake voters' list row rocks Palakkad bypoll; EC warns of action

Rediff.com19 Nov 2024

The Election Commission has said it will allow suspected fake voters to cast their ballots in the Palakkad assembly by-poll, but will take action against them later. The CPI(M), Congress, and BJP have accused each other of enrolling fake voters. The by-poll is scheduled for November 20.

BJP Concedes AIADMK Demands In Eagerness For Alliance

BJP Concedes AIADMK Demands In Eagerness For Alliance

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

EPS has had its way on most things, alliance-wise. A week earlier, he reiterated that he would not re-admit OPS and Sasikala Natarajan back in the party. It was a message not just to detractors in the AIADMK. It was even more so for the BJP leadership in Delhi. Even more important for the AIADMK was their demand for accepting EPS as the chief ministerial candidate of any alliance that the party would form, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Rekha Gupta takes charge of Delhi after grand swearing-in

Rekha Gupta takes charge of Delhi after grand swearing-in

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Debutant legislator Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi chief minister along with six ministers on Thursday in a grand show of strength full of colour and spectacle to mark the Bharatiya Janata Party's return to power in the city after more than 26 years.

Over 65% voter turnout recorded in Uttarakhand

Over 65% voter turnout recorded in Uttarakhand

Rediff.com15 Feb 2022

"Polling was held peacefully at the 11,697 polling booths across the state with 65.1 per cent of the electorate casting their votes till the close of polls," Chief Electoral Officer Saujanya who does not use a surname said.

Power of Two: How MNS Workers Made Banner Disappear

Power of Two: How MNS Workers Made Banner Disappear

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

'For three months Raj Thackeray becomes a staunch Hindu and for the next three months he becomes anti-Hindu.'

ECI revokes actor Sonu Sood's appointment as Punjab 'state icon'

ECI revokes actor Sonu Sood's appointment as Punjab 'state icon'

Rediff.com7 Jan 2022

The Election Commission of India has annulled the appointment of actor Sonu Sood as Punjab's 'state icon.'

State polls: 15 ex-bureaucrats appointed EC's special observers

State polls: 15 ex-bureaucrats appointed EC's special observers

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

These officers will oversee the entire poll processes as eyes and ears of the commission on the ground to ensure free, fair and voter-friendly elections.

No name yet, Azad Maidan gets ready for Maha swearing-in

No name yet, Azad Maidan gets ready for Maha swearing-in

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra on December 5. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is considered the frontrunner for the chief minister's post, with the BJP having recorded its best-ever electoral performance in the state. The Mahayuti coalition includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.

Mizoram polls peaceful, with over 77% turnout

Mizoram polls peaceful, with over 77% turnout

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

The Mizoram assembly elections passed off peacefully on Tuesday with over 77 per cent of 8.57 lakh electors exercising their franchise, officials said.

Lesson For AAP, Cong: Ek Hai To Safe Hai

Lesson For AAP, Cong: Ek Hai To Safe Hai

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

Congress does unto AAP what Kejriwal's party had done to it in Haryana.

PIX: Famous faces at polling booths in Karnataka

PIX: Famous faces at polling booths in Karnataka

Rediff.com10 May 2023

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, IT industry veteran N R Narayana Murthy along with wife Sudha Murty, and Mysuru royal family member 'Rajamate' Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, were among the early voters who cast their ballot in the Karnataka Assembly polls.

All about the church service ahead of Trump's inauguration

All about the church service ahead of Trump's inauguration

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

The ceremonial proceedings are set to take place at the US Capitol Rotunda, where Trump will take the oath of office on Monday, roughly two weeks after his electoral college victory was officially certified by Congress.

Will launch 55-day hunger strike outside EC office if..., warns Mamata

Will launch 55-day hunger strike outside EC office if..., warns Mamata

Rediff.com15 Apr 2024

While addressing a rally at Alipurduar, Banerjee accused the Election Commission of removing the deputy inspector general of police of Murshidabad at the behest of the BJP.

Tough test for BJP, Cong: Stage set for poll results in 4 states

Tough test for BJP, Cong: Stage set for poll results in 4 states

Rediff.com3 Dec 2023

Counting of votes will be held on Sunday in assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana in what is seen as a semi-final contest ahead of the general elections in less than six months.