News for 'election commissioners'

Amid protests, govt to retain ECs' status on par with SC judges

Amid protests, govt to retain ECs' status on par with SC judges

Rediff.com12 Dec 2023

The opposition parties and some former CECs had opposed the move, saying it will go against the independence of the institution.

Ready to discuss uploading booth-wise voter data: EC

Ready to discuss uploading booth-wise voter data: EC

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has asked petitioners in two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) to make representations to the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding their demand for uploading polling booth-wise voter turnout data on the ECI website. The PILs, filed by TMC MP Mahua Moitra and NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, seek a direction for the ECI to upload the data within 48 hours of the conclusion of polling in Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The ECI, represented by senior advocate Maninder Singh, expressed willingness to deliberate on the matter and suggested a meeting with the petitioners to address their concerns. The court has adjourned the hearing to the week of July 28.

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.'

'Welcome change': Shinde on Uddhav-Fadnavis meet

'Welcome change': Shinde on Uddhav-Fadnavis meet

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

The Sena (UBT) chief and his MLA son Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday met with Fadnavis and assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar at Vidhan Bhavan premises in Nagpur. Aaditya said they extended good wishes to the two and talked about taking a step towards showing political maturity and working together in the interest of the people.

Amid Oppn uproar, Pranab hails EC for 'perfect' elections

Amid Oppn uproar, Pranab hails EC for 'perfect' elections

Rediff.com21 May 2019

'If democracy has succeeded, it is largely due to perfect conduct of elections by election commissioners starting from Sukumar Sen to the present election commissioners'

Cong hits back at CEC, says poll panel failed to answer Rahul's queries

Cong hits back at CEC, says poll panel failed to answer Rahul's queries

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The Congress party has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of incompetence and partisanship following the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) defense of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The party alleges the CEC failed to address concerns about voter list irregularities and is acting in favor of the ruling BJP.

EC calls all-party meeting amid electoral roll fudging charges

EC calls all-party meeting amid electoral roll fudging charges

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

The Election Commission of India has invited all national and state political parties to provide suggestions by April 30 on any unresolved issues related to the electoral process. This call for feedback comes amid allegations of electoral roll manipulation, with opposition parties demanding a discussion in Parliament on the issue. The EC has also proposed an interaction with party presidents and senior members to further strengthen electoral processes.

Assembly elections in J-K likely by year-end: Rajnath Singh

Assembly elections in J-K likely by year-end: Rajnath Singh

Rediff.com17 Jun 2022

The indication of a timeline comes two days after the Election Commission initiated the revision of electoral rolls in the union territory and prepare the draft rolls by August 31.

Polarised: Former Indian envoys criticise Hasina's death sentence

Polarised: Former Indian envoys criticise Hasina's death sentence

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Former Indian envoys criticize the death sentence handed down to ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, expressing concerns about political polarization and stability in Bangladesh.

Four criminals from Bihar killed in Delhi encounter

Four criminals from Bihar killed in Delhi encounter

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

Four wanted criminals allegedly involved in multiple murder cases in Bihar were killed in a shootout with a joint team of Delhi Police and Bihar Police in Rohini.

India, Canada to boost security cooperation against terrorism

India, Canada to boost security cooperation against terrorism

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

India and Canada have agreed to enhance security cooperation, including combating terrorism and transnational crimes, following Canada's decision to list the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity.

SC refuses to stay appointments of ECs under new law

SC refuses to stay appointments of ECs under new law

Rediff.com15 Mar 2024

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna, Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih told the petitioners, who pointed out that a meeting for the selection of ECs was pre-poned, to file a separate application pointing out the fact.

SC seeks govt reply on plea against CAG appointment process

SC seeks govt reply on plea against CAG appointment process

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has sought the government's response on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenges the appointment process of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), arguing it's unconstitutional. The PIL, filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, claims the current process, solely through executive appointment by the Prime Minister, undermines the CAG's independence and violates constitutional principles. The court, while acknowledging the importance of institutional trust, questioned the extent to which it should intervene in the appointment process and whether this would constitute rewriting constitutional provisions. The PIL suggests the CAG's appointment should be similar to other independent bodies, with a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Justice of India. The case has implications for the independence and transparency of India's audit system.

'Is EC Preparing To Manipulate The Elections?'

'Is EC Preparing To Manipulate The Elections?'

Rediff.com29 May 2024

'This is total fraud. You are showing me the slip of my vote but not counting it so this is fraud.'

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.

Will New Sports Bill Be A Game Changer?

Will New Sports Bill Be A Game Changer?

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Salient features of the National Sports Governance Bill that promise to overhaul several aspects of sports governance and the grievance redressal system for athletes and administrators alike in the country.

SC allows excluded Bihar voters to submit claims with Aadhaar

SC allows excluded Bihar voters to submit claims with Aadhaar

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

Expressing surprise over political parties not coming forward in filing objections related to 65 lakh excluded voters, the top court directed the chief electoral officer of Bihar to implead them in the court proceedings.

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Deepa Thoon controversy, if not allowed to die a natural death, could take the election focus away from the anti-incumbency impacting the DMK and into the secular space. Stalin would love to have it that way, all over again, after the three past elections, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Differences with Modi govt or BJP ticket?: Oppn on Goel resignation

Differences with Modi govt or BJP ticket?: Oppn on Goel resignation

Rediff.com11 Mar 2024

Taking potshots at the Bharatiya Janata Party, some opposition leaders also wondered if Goel resigned to contest the Lok Sabha polls on its ticket like former Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay.

New bill proposes Cabinet minister, not CJI in EC selection panel

New bill proposes Cabinet minister, not CJI in EC selection panel

Rediff.com10 Aug 2023

This is in contrast to a Supreme Court judgment of March which said the panel should comprise of the prime minister, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.

UK spies gave intel on Nijjar killing to Canada: Report

UK spies gave intel on Nijjar killing to Canada: Report

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

A new documentary claims British spy call intercepts helped Canadian authorities link India to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.

BJP leader apologises for praising lawyer who hurled shoe at CJI

BJP leader apologises for praising lawyer who hurled shoe at CJI

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

"Even if it is legally & terribly wrong, I admire your courage, at your age, to take a stand and live by it, irrespective of consequences," Rao said on Tuesday in a post on 'X'.

Being spied upon by Mumbai police, claims Maha Cong chief

Being spied upon by Mumbai police, claims Maha Cong chief

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal alleges Mumbai police surveillance, claiming an officer entered his room. He questions if CM Fadnavis ordered the snooping. BJP denies the allegations. Sapkal also raises questions about a hostage situation and accuses the CM of shielding criminals.

For a post-retirement job...: Kejriwal's dig at CEC

For a post-retirement job...: Kejriwal's dig at CEC

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of indulging in hooliganism and targeting AAP workers, claiming that Delhi Police is afraid and helpless to tackle the situation.

Voter Deletions: RaGa's Charges Vs ECI Rebuttal: Who's Right?

Voter Deletions: RaGa's Charges Vs ECI Rebuttal: Who's Right?

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

Does voter deletion controversy expose critical gaps in ECI verification procedures and safeguards protecting electoral roll integrity?

'Government Is Constantly Trying To Subvert RTI'

'Government Is Constantly Trying To Subvert RTI'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

'The government does not want to be transparent or accountable. Therefore, they do not want to appoint information commissioners.'

Hold fair, timely elections, US tells Pakistan

Hold fair, timely elections, US tells Pakistan

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

The elections in the country should be held within the stipulated time of 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly.

Rejecting people's mandate: Fadnavis slams Rahul's Maha poll allegations

Rejecting people's mandate: Fadnavis slams Rahul's Maha poll allegations

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta.

Those who spread communal divide can't be Hindu: Uddhav

Those who spread communal divide can't be Hindu: Uddhav

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Udvav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that anyone who spreads communal disharmony 'can't be a Hindu', while also affirming that the 'Hindutva' of his party is 'clean'.

Rijiju assures appropriate action on SC ruling on appointing poll panel chiefs

Rijiju assures appropriate action on SC ruling on appointing poll panel chiefs

Rediff.com23 Mar 2023

The government is examining the Supreme Court's verdict on the appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners and it will take "appropriate action" on it, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

'We Carried BJP to Power, Now They Crush Us'

'We Carried BJP to Power, Now They Crush Us'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

'If all of us (all the 57 Shiv Sena MLAs) stand together we can change the dynamic. We are not afraid of anyone.'

Raj Thackeray meets Fadnavis amid buzz of alliance with Uddhav

Raj Thackeray meets Fadnavis amid buzz of alliance with Uddhav

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

MNS chief Raj Thackeray met CM Devendra Fadnavis, leading to speculation about political alliances. They discussed urban planning issues like parking solutions. The meeting follows a defeat for the Sena (UBT)-MNS panel in BEST credit society polls.

EC announces polls in J-K, Haryana, here are the dates

EC announces polls in J-K, Haryana, here are the dates

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases from September 18 while Haryana will go to polls in a single phase on October 1, the Election Commission announced on Friday.

Maha polls: Parties need to justify picking tainted nominees, says CEC

Maha polls: Parties need to justify picking tainted nominees, says CEC

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

Besides disclosing in their affidavits, candidates have to prominently declare criminal cases they are facing, if any, thrice in newspapers in print as well on television, he said, adding that political parties too have to publish within three days of nomination why a candidate with criminal background was selected. "You (political parties) have to tell the public whether you did not get any (other) candidate and why was it necessary to select them (those with criminal background)," he said.

Delhi to vote on Feb 5, results on Feb 8

Delhi to vote on Feb 5, results on Feb 8

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

The Election Commission of India has announced that the Delhi Assembly elections will be held on February 5, 2023, with the counting of votes scheduled for February 8. The last date to file nominations is January 17, and the scrutiny of nominations will be done by January 18. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until January 20.

EC orders immediate transfer of Maha DGP after Cong complaint

EC orders immediate transfer of Maha DGP after Cong complaint

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly polls, the Election Commission on Monday directed the state government to transfer Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla with immediate effect following complaints from political parties, including the Congress, sources said.

Why EC announces LS poll on 544 seats instead of 543

Why EC announces LS poll on 544 seats instead of 543

Rediff.com16 Mar 2024

Kumar said the increase was due to Outer Manipur being counted twice, since polls will be held there in two phases.

'Every Citizen Will Become A Doubtful Voter'

'Every Citizen Will Become A Doubtful Voter'

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

'Today, the State looks at everyone with suspicion.'

Kangana Ranaut's election challenged, HC issues notice

Kangana Ranaut's election challenged, HC issues notice

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

The Himachal Pradesh high court on Wednesday issued notice to Kangana Ranaut, the Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha member from Mandi, on a petition filed by a Kinnaur resident for setting aside her election on the grounds that his nomination papers to contest from the Lok Sabha constituency were allegedly wrongly rejected.

Congress deploys seniors to assess Haryana poll rout

Congress deploys seniors to assess Haryana poll rout

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

Sources said the party has also tasked its senior leaders to be observers at the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in Haryana to elect its new leader.