News for 'election-commission'

'This Election Commission Has To Go!'

'This Election Commission Has To Go!'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

'The current Election Commission functions more like a government department than an autonomous body.'

Advantage BJP in March 16 Rajya Sabha polls to 37 seats

Advantage BJP in March 16 Rajya Sabha polls to 37 seats

Rediff.com1 days ago

The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the Rajya Sabha elections 2024, setting the stage for polls to fill 37 seats across 10 states on March 16.

Assembly elections for 4 states, 1 UT likely in April: Sources

Assembly elections for 4 states, 1 UT likely in April: Sources

Rediff.com2 days ago

Last time, assembly polls in West Bengal were held in eight phases -- by far the maximum. In Assam, elections were held in two phases, and in a singular phase in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

Over 60% Bangladeshis vote 'yes' to change Constitution

Over 60% Bangladeshis vote 'yes' to change Constitution

Rediff.com6 days ago

A referendum on the implementation of a reform package in Bangladesh saw a 60.26 per cent voter turnout, with the 'yes' vote winning a clear majority, the Election Commission announced.

No roadblocks in SIR: SC's clear message to states in Bengal case

No roadblocks in SIR: SC's clear message to states in Bengal case

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N V Anjaria said it would issue whatever orders or clarifications are required in the matter.

BNP sweeps Bangladesh polls; Tarique Rahman to be PM

BNP sweeps Bangladesh polls; Tarique Rahman to be PM

Rediff.com6 days ago

If the Bangladesh Nationalist Party wins, Tarique Rahman will be Bangladesh's first male prime minister in 36 years.

Under EC pressure, Bengal acts on voter list fraud; books 5 employees

Under EC pressure, Bengal acts on voter list fraud; books 5 employees

Rediff.com2 days ago

The West Bengal government has filed FIRs against five state government employees for alleged lapses in electoral roll revisions, following an Election Commission ultimatum. The action comes after the EC directed the state to initiate criminal cases against the accused for adding fictitious names to voter lists.

BLO's death triggers political storm in Bengal; TMC, BJP trade charges

BLO's death triggers political storm in Bengal; TMC, BJP trade charges

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

The death of a booth level officer in West Bengal due to cardiac arrest has ignited a political battle between the ruling TMC and the BJP, with accusations of workload pressure and politicization of the tragedy.

Election of 45 Bihar MLAs challenged in HC

Election of 45 Bihar MLAs challenged in HC

Rediff.com17 hours ago

Petitions have been filed in the Patna High Court challenging the election of 45 members of the Bihar legislative assembly, including Speaker Prem Kumar.

SIR process only for deletion, not inclusion, Mamata tells SC

SIR process only for deletion, not inclusion, Mamata tells SC

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Banerjee is personally present in court room one along with her lawyers. A gate pass was issued in the chief minister's name on Tuesday.

Additions, deletions part of electoral roll revision process, says SC

Additions, deletions part of electoral roll revision process, says SC

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court of India resumed hearing petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, addressing the use of Aadhaar and concerns about voter deletions.

SC to hear PIL on election-time freebies by political parties

SC to hear PIL on election-time freebies by political parties

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in March seeking action against political parties that promise or distribute 'irrational freebies' before elections. The PIL argues that such practices unduly influence voters and undermine the fairness of the electoral process.

Is Vijay planning poll debut from two Chennai seats?

Is Vijay planning poll debut from two Chennai seats?

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

Actor-politician Vijay is reportedly considering contesting from either Velachery or Virugambakkam constituencies in Chennai for the upcoming Assembly election in Tamil Nadu, according to sources within his party, TVK.

Bangladesh to hold crucial general elections on Thursday

Bangladesh to hold crucial general elections on Thursday

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Bangladesh is set to hold parliamentary elections with unprecedented security measures in place, following a period of interim governance and political changes.

BNP nears clear victory in Bangladesh polls, set to form govt

BNP nears clear victory in Bangladesh polls, set to form govt

Rediff.com7 days ago

The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held along with a referendum on a complex 84-point reform package.

'Humiliated' Mamata storms out of meeting with CEC

'Humiliated' Mamata storms out of meeting with CEC

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with families affected by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, met with the Chief Election Commissioner to voice their concerns and demand a halt to the revision process.

What Are Mohan Bhagwat's Views On Infiltration, Population Imbalance?

What Are Mohan Bhagwat's Views On Infiltration, Population Imbalance?

Rediff.com7 days ago

All along, we were told SIR was an essential exercise carried out as part of the Election Commission's regular duties. But now that the ideological mentor of the ruling party has declared that SIR is a means of detecting infiltrators, one understands the unseemly haste with which it is being carried out, notes Jyoti Punwani.

Assam publishes final voters list, drops over 2.43 lakh names

Assam publishes final voters list, drops over 2.43 lakh names

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

The Election Commission of India has published the final voters list for Assam after a Special Revision, deleting over 2.43 lakh names from the draft roll. The final roll comprises nearly 2.49 crore voters, a decrease of 0.97 per cent from the draft roll.

No FIR against TMC MLA over SIR violence despite EC deadline

No FIR against TMC MLA over SIR violence despite EC deadline

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Despite a directive from the Election Commission, no FIR has been filed against TMC MLA Monirul Islam in connection with vandalism at the Farakka Block Development Office in Murshidabad. The delay raises questions about the implementation of the Commission's orders ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Citizenship complaint politically motivated: Sonia Gandhi's counsel

Citizenship complaint politically motivated: Sonia Gandhi's counsel

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

Sonia Gandhi's counsel argued in a Delhi court that a complaint alleging she was included in the electoral roll before acquiring Indian citizenship was politically motivated.

National Voters' Day: Voter is India's Bhagya Vidhata, says Modi

National Voters' Day: Voter is India's Bhagya Vidhata, says Modi

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Modi urged the youngsters to celebrate when they or a person around them becomes a voter for the first time.

SC asks political leaders to foster fraternity, refuses PIL on political speeches

SC asks political leaders to foster fraternity, refuses PIL on political speeches

Rediff.com2 days ago

The Supreme Court has urged political leaders to promote fraternity while declining to entertain a PIL seeking guidelines on political speeches, emphasizing the need for objectivity and even-handedness in addressing concerns about hate speech and constitutional values.

Meet 4 minority candidates who won Bangladesh election

Meet 4 minority candidates who won Bangladesh election

Rediff.com3 days ago

In the recent Bangladesh elections, four minority candidates, including two Hindus, secured parliamentary seats, highlighting the evolving political landscape and representation of minority communities within the BNP's victory.

India awaits Bangladesh election outcome before addressing issues

India awaits Bangladesh election outcome before addressing issues

Rediff.com7 days ago

India has stated it will wait for the outcome of the elections in Bangladesh and the resulting mandate before addressing any existing issues. The country also affirmed its support for free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections in Bangladesh.

Rahul accuses EC of 'gaslighting citizens'; BJP responds

Rahul accuses EC of 'gaslighting citizens'; BJP responds

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleges 'vote chori' amid controversy over the quality of indelible ink used in Maharashtra civic polls. The Election Commission has launched a probe into the matter.

Protests erupt across Bengal over SIR 'harassment'

Protests erupt across Bengal over SIR 'harassment'

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Protests erupted across several districts of West Bengal over alleged harassment of people in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, leading to road blockages and tyre burning. Demonstrations were held in South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Purba Medinipur.

BJP targets Ajit Pawar's party in Pune over hoardings

BJP targets Ajit Pawar's party in Pune over hoardings

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Maharashtra BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission regarding illegal hoardings allegedly put up by the NCP and other parties in Pune ahead of the civic body polls.

SC reserves verdict on plea against Bihar electoral roll revision

SC reserves verdict on plea against Bihar electoral roll revision

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a petition challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, following arguments from various lawyers and the Election Commission of India.

Tarique Rahman clears air on India ties, Sheikh Hasina

Tarique Rahman clears air on India ties, Sheikh Hasina

Rediff.com5 days ago

BNP chairman Tarique Rahman called for maintaining law and order and sought cooperation in building a safe and humane Bangladesh after his party's victory in parliamentary elections.

EC uploads SIR logical discrepancies list on website after SC order

EC uploads SIR logical discrepancies list on website after SC order

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

The Election Commission has uploaded the names of people on the list of SIR logical discrepancies list on its website following a Supreme Court order. The district electoral officers will download the list and display it on panchayat bhavans and block offices.

'Hindus Voted Overwhelmingly For BNP'

'Hindus Voted Overwhelmingly For BNP'

Rediff.com3 days ago

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

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Rediff.com7 days ago

A new study alleges that Muslim voters are disproportionately represented in Logical Discrepancy (LD) lists during Kolkata's voter roll revision, raising concerns about potential bias in the electoral process.

The Fall of India's Development Ambitions

The Fall of India's Development Ambitions

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Like the realisation on the failure of development, we have also internalised the failure on democracy, argues Aakar Patel.

BMC Polls: Kareena-Saif Vote!

BMC Polls: Kareena-Saif Vote!

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Film folk stepped out to vote in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on January 14, and paused to show off their inked fingers as well as encourage the rest of the voting population to cast their votes too.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Maha local polls rescheduled due to mourning

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Maha local polls rescheduled due to mourning

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Voting for zilla parishads and panchayat samitis in Maharashtra has been rescheduled to February 7 due to a three-day mourning period declared after the death of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

Mamata vs Delhi Police ahead of CEC meet over SIR

Mamata vs Delhi Police ahead of CEC meet over SIR

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Mamata Banerjee is in Delhi to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.

Mahayuti landslide in Maha zilla parishad polls; BJP leads charge

Mahayuti landslide in Maha zilla parishad polls; BJP leads charge

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The BJP and Shiv Sena are leading in the early trends of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls in Maharashtra. Counting began on Monday morning for elections to 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis.

Mumbai civic polls marred by voter list discrepancies, confusion

Mumbai civic polls marred by voter list discrepancies, confusion

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections were marred by widespread complaints of voter list discrepancies, missing names, and confusion, impacting voters and election staff alike.

SIR hearing: Will Mamata argue in SC today?

SIR hearing: Will Mamata argue in SC today?

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a plea filed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenging the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.

The Tendulkars cast vote in BMC polls

The Tendulkars cast vote in BMC polls

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Polling is being held on Thursday across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra.