News for 'election commission'

Close to 100 crore electors have voter cards in country: EC officials

Close to 100 crore electors have voter cards in country: EC officials

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

After US President Donald Trump cited India's voter cards to make a case for the SAVE America Act, Election Commission officials on Tuesday said that nearly 100 crore electors have been issued 'special' Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Arvind Kejriwal issued SIR notices; CM's vote validated

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Arvind Kejriwal issued SIR notices; CM's vote validated

Rediff.com19 Sep 2026

The Delhi poll body has issued notices to several prominent voters, including Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, for discrepancies in their enumeration forms during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. While Gupta's entry has been validated, millions of other voters, including other political figures, have received notices for issues like age-related mismatches or being unmapped with previous SIR records, requiring them to submit documents by October 29.

India's 2036 Olympic bid: 'Hoping to become a sporting superpower'

India's 2036 Olympic bid: 'Hoping to become a sporting superpower'

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

India is determined to host the 2036 Olympics as part of a broader strategy to become a global sporting superpower, despite challenges like limited multi-sport event experience and a poor doping record, according to Indian Olympic Association CEO Raghuram Iyer.

Maharashtra SIR: 2.06 crore voters excluded from draft roll

Maharashtra SIR: 2.06 crore voters excluded from draft roll

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

More than 2.06 crore electors, representing 21.14 per cent of Maharashtra's previous voter base, have been excluded from the draft electoral roll following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) due to reasons like being untraceable, deceased, or having shifted residences.

What's Behind 70% Of SIR Exclusions?

What's Behind 70% Of SIR Exclusions?

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

The prominence of migration highlights a longstanding problem for India's electoral system.

Election Commission clears Ramadoss

Election Commission clears Ramadoss

Rediff.com7 Dec 2006

The sources refused to give details of the opinion. The Commission had earlier heard the arguments of both complainant Omesh Saigal, a retired IAS officer, and Ramadoss.

Equestrian Federation Of India Faces FEI Suspension Threat Over Governance Issues

Equestrian Federation Of India Faces FEI Suspension Threat Over Governance Issues

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has threatened to suspend the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) due to its failure to finalise a new constitution and hold elections as directed by the Delhi High Court. The international body cited breaches of good governance principles and has given EFI until September 28 to provide an explanation before its board considers suspension on October 13. The crisis stems from long-standing governance disputes and divisions within the ad-hoc committee appointed to oversee the federation.

West Bengal Sees High Voter Turnout In First Phase Of Elections

West Bengal Sees High Voter Turnout In First Phase Of Elections

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

The first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections saw a high voter turnout across 152 constituencies, with nearly 90 per cent of electors participating till 5 pm. Polling was conducted amid tight security, with reports of clashes and intimidation in some areas.

Assembly elections see high turnout, women voters outnumber men

Assembly elections see high turnout, women voters outnumber men

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Recent assembly elections across several states in India saw exceptionally high voter participation, with women voters outnumbering men in turnout percentages, according to Election Commission data.

Court quashes order denying probe into Sonia Gandhi's voter list entry

Court quashes order denying probe into Sonia Gandhi's voter list entry

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

A Delhi court has revived a legal challenge concerning Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's electoral roll inclusion, quashing a magistrate's previous order and mandating a fresh, reasoned hearing on allegations of pre-citizenship voter registration.

Why Do We Need Permission to Protest Against the Government?

Why Do We Need Permission to Protest Against the Government?

Rediff.com10 Oct 2026

Before protesting against the State, the citizen should not have to ask: Sir, may I protest, please?, asserts Prem Panicker.

Why is EC delaying final Kerala election data, ask Cong, CPI-M

Why is EC delaying final Kerala election data, ask Cong, CPI-M

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

The CPI-M and Congress in Kerala have raised concerns over the delay in the release of detailed polling data from the recent assembly elections.

Jhiram Valley Maoist attack: 10 convicts get death penalty for 2013 massacre

Jhiram Valley Maoist attack: 10 convicts get death penalty for 2013 massacre

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

A special NIA court in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district has sentenced all 10 convicts in the 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack to death. The attack, which occurred on May 25, 2013, resulted in the deaths of 29 people, including prominent Congress leaders.

'SIR Is Legal. But Is it Fair'

'SIR Is Legal. But Is it Fair'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

'Now the institutions which have the might of law invested in them think that whatever they do is right.'

Bomb Blast at Nadia School Raises Pre-Election Tensions in West Bengal

Bomb Blast at Nadia School Raises Pre-Election Tensions in West Bengal

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

A crude bomb exploded on the rooftop of a school in Nadia district, West Bengal, ahead of upcoming elections, prompting investigations and political accusations.

Indian Golf Union Aligns With National Sports Governance Act

Indian Golf Union Aligns With National Sports Governance Act

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

The Indian Golf Union (IGU) has approved significant amendments to its Memorandum of Association, including the addition of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit, creation of a Dispute Resolution Committee, and modifications to its election process, all aimed at aligning with the National Sports Governance Act.

Supreme Court's Electoral Roll Ruling: Key Takeaways

Supreme Court's Electoral Roll Ruling: Key Takeaways

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee has commented on the Supreme Court judgment regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, emphasising its specific application to the Bihar case and highlighting the Election Commission's limited authority in determining citizenship.

PM Modi said UP will be divided into 4 states: Minister

PM Modi said UP will be divided into 4 states: Minister

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar has revived the long-standing discussion about dividing Uttar Pradesh, claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him the state could be split into four parts after a caste census. Rajbhar's statement, made at a rally in Deoria, links the division to the 27% reservation issue and suggests a Rajbhar could become chief minister of a new Purvanchal state. The demand for UP's division has historical precedents, notably from former Chief Minister Mayawati.

No grounds to reject Natarajan's nomination: Former MP Assembly official

No grounds to reject Natarajan's nomination: Former MP Assembly official

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

A former principal secretary of the Madhya Pradesh assembly, Bhagwandev Israni, has claimed that Congress nominee Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha poll nomination was wrongly rejected, arguing she was not required to disclose information as no FIR or chargesheet had been filed against her.

Ex-TMC Councillor Attacked In Howrah After Bengal Election

Ex-TMC Councillor Attacked In Howrah After Bengal Election

Rediff.com5 May 2026

A former Trinamool Congress councillor was allegedly assaulted in West Bengal's Howrah district following an altercation, amidst post-election violence.

Indian Olympic Association Adopts New Constitutional Amendments

Indian Olympic Association Adopts New Constitutional Amendments

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has approved significant constitutional changes to align with the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA).

Indian Olympic Association Set To Approve Key Constitutional Changes

Indian Olympic Association Set To Approve Key Constitutional Changes

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is poised to approve significant constitutional amendments to comply with the National Sports Governance Act 2025. These changes, already endorsed by the executive committee, will be formalised at a Special General Body Meeting. Key areas of reform include age and tenure guidelines for office bearers, which differ from the existing IOA rules, and a potential reduction in the Executive Committee's size. The General House will also discuss the upcoming December elections.

Afghan election commission orders runoff

Afghan election commission orders runoff

Rediff.com20 Oct 2009

The runoff election will be held on November 7

Election Commission bans exit polls till March 7

Election Commission bans exit polls till March 7

Rediff.com29 Jan 2022

The Election Commission has banned all exit polls pertaining to the coming assembly elections from 7.00 am on February 10 to 6.30 pm on March 7.

The Long Road To Viksit Bharat

The Long Road To Viksit Bharat

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

The question for the next 20 years is not whether India can become a $5 trillion or $10 trillion economy. Those are attractive targets, but the real question is whether India can create enough productive jobs, educate its children properly, make its cities liveable, and give hundreds of millions of people a substantially better life, asserts Ramesh Menon.

Centre defends CEC law in SC, says PM's integrity cannot be questioned

Centre defends CEC law in SC, says PM's integrity cannot be questioned

Rediff.com30 Jul 2026

Defending the law for regulating appointment procedures of the chief election commissioner and the deputies, the Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it would be wrong to assume that the prime minister and the other ministers would act in "bad faith" and against "democracy" because they have a numerical majority in the selection procedure.

Who is 'real' Sena? Decide rebel MLAs' fate first, Uddhav camp tells SC

Who is 'real' Sena? Decide rebel MLAs' fate first, Uddhav camp tells SC

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the Election Commission's (EC) determination as to which group constitutes the political party should come after a decision on the disqualification proceedings against the MLAs, who have deserted their camp.

Order rejecting Natarajan's RS nomination egregious: Cong after EC meet

Order rejecting Natarajan's RS nomination egregious: Cong after EC meet

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

The Congress party has formally appealed to the Election Commission, demanding an immediate reversal of the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination for the Rajya Sabha polls, labelling the decision as 'egregious' and a 'subversion of democracy'.

Bankipur bypoll: 'Lalu, Nitish' lose deposits

Bankipur bypoll: 'Lalu, Nitish' lose deposits

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj Party, secured a significant victory in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll, breaching a BJP bastion, while independent candidates sharing names with Bihar's political stalwarts, Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar, failed to make an impact and lost their security deposits.

EC's SIR exercise marks 1 year; Nearly 6cr names deleted so far

EC's SIR exercise marks 1 year; Nearly 6cr names deleted so far

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has completed one year, leading to the deletion of nearly six crore voters across 19 states and Union territories. This exercise, which began in Bihar, has faced opposition criticism but was upheld by the Supreme Court. The purification drive has significant implications, including linking voter data to social security benefits in some states.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Proposes Independent Governance Review To Regain Support

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Proposes Independent Governance Review To Regain Support

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of the world football body's decision-making framework.

Actor Prakash Raj claims his name deleted from voter list amid SIR

Actor Prakash Raj claims his name deleted from voter list amid SIR

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Actor Prakash Raj has claimed his name was deleted from Bengaluru's electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision process, affecting 6.5 million voters. He expressed frustration and questioned the ruling dispensation, while reports indicate his name was marked as "permanently shifted" due to a previous case involving multiple voter IDs.

Aadhaar not proof of citizenship, says SC in SIR ruling

Aadhaar not proof of citizenship, says SC in SIR ruling

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The Supreme Court of India has upheld the Election Commission's documentation framework for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, affirming the commission's authority and stating that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship.

Meenakshi Natarajan alleges 'seat chori' after SC dismisses plea

Meenakshi Natarajan alleges 'seat chori' after SC dismisses plea

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

The Congress party has accused the BJP and the Election Commission of being "partners in crime" in what it terms "seat chori" (seat theft), following the rejection of its Rajya Sabha candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination. The party claims the rejection was based on "flawed and unreasonable" logic, alleging non-disclosure of a criminal case against Natarajan, despite her stating only a legal notice exists.

Fewer phases, delayed counting: Key changes in 5 state election

Fewer phases, delayed counting: Key changes in 5 state election

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

The announced election schedule for five assemblies reveals fewer phases, a condensed voting period, longer gaps between polling days, and a delayed counting process compared to previous elections.

Bypolls: Prashant Kishor breaches BJP bastion of Bankipur, Cong wins Datia, BJP retains Manjalpur

Bypolls: Prashant Kishor breaches BJP bastion of Bankipur, Cong wins Datia, BJP retains Manjalpur

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

Former poll strategist Prashant Kishor made a stunning electoral debut by winning Bihar's Bankipur assembly seat, a long-held BJP bastion. Concurrently, the Congress retained the Datia assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh, while the BJP successfully held onto the Manjalpur seat in Gujarat, showcasing mixed results for the ruling and opposition parties in these crucial by-elections.

J&K High Court Denies ED's Request For Additional Charges In Cricket Fund Scam

J&K High Court Denies ED's Request For Additional Charges In Cricket Fund Scam

Rediff.com25 Sep 2026

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has rejected a petition by the Enforcement Directorate to add charges of receiving and concealing stolen property in the alleged Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association fund scam. While the court upheld the ED's right to file such an application, it found insufficient merit in the current material to invoke sections 411 and 424 of the Ranbir Penal Code, stating that the alleged acts were part of the principal transaction of conspiracy and breach of trust.

HC appoints special officer to manage TMC's frozen bank accounts

HC appoints special officer to manage TMC's frozen bank accounts

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

The Calcutta High Court has appointed a retired judge as a special officer to manage the day-to-day expenses of the Mamata Banerjee-aligned Trinamool Congress (TMC) from three debit-frozen bank accounts. The accounts were frozen following a complaint by a rival TMC faction alleging they held proceeds of crime. The court allowed transactions for party expenses and legal costs, noting that the initial freezing lacked specific material basis and that the complainant had previously benefited from these accounts.

Election Commission says EVMs are 'non-tamperable'

Election Commission says EVMs are 'non-tamperable'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2015

Dismissing Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal's apprehensions that electronic voting machines could be rigged to favour BJP in the Delhi Assembly polls, the Election Commission on Wednesday said the machines are "non-tamperable".

SC dismisses Natarajan's plea against nomination rejection

SC dismisses Natarajan's plea against nomination rejection

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

The Supreme Court dismissed Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan's challenge to her rejected Rajya Sabha nomination, reaffirming that the Election Commission is the sole recourse for such disputes and citing Article 329(b) of the Constitution which bars judicial interference in electoral matters.