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.'

Banerjee Alleges BJP Plot to Divide Bengal Through Voter Deletions

Banerjee Alleges BJP Plot to Divide Bengal Through Voter Deletions

Rediff.com10 hours ago

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of manipulating voter rolls to divide the state, alleging a conspiracy to deprive Bengali-speaking people of their voting rights. She claims the Election Commission is complicit in deleting lakhs of names from voter lists.

Mamata Banerjee to Hold Dharna Against Electoral Roll Deletions

Mamata Banerjee to Hold Dharna Against Electoral Roll Deletions

Rediff.com2 days ago

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to hold a dharna in Kolkata against alleged arbitrary deletions in the state's electoral rolls, marking a return to her roots as a street fighter and signalling a key political battle ahead of Assembly elections.

TMC Accuses BJP's Rahul Sinha of Discrepancies in Rajya Sabha Nomination

TMC Accuses BJP's Rahul Sinha of Discrepancies in Rajya Sabha Nomination

Rediff.com15 hours ago

The TMC has written to the Election Commission alleging procedural irregularities in the scrutiny of nomination papers of BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate Rahul Sinha, claiming discrepancies in his election affidavit were overlooked.

Balen defeats 4-time PM Oli, RSP set to form next govt in Nepal

Balen defeats 4-time PM Oli, RSP set to form next govt in Nepal

Rediff.com6 hours ago

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is on track for a significant victory in Nepal's general elections, potentially reshaping the country's political landscape.

Gen Z impact: Ex-rapper's party heads to sweep Nepal polls

Gen Z impact: Ex-rapper's party heads to sweep Nepal polls

Rediff.com1 days ago

Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party is surging ahead in the general elections after Gen Z protests ousted the previous government, signaling a potential new era in Nepali politics.

Nepal votes in 1st general election since Gen Z protests

Nepal votes in 1st general election since Gen Z protests

Rediff.com2 days ago

Nepalese citizens are voting in the general election, the first since protests toppled the previous government. Over 18.9 million are eligible to vote for the 275-member House of Representatives.

Advantage BJP in March 16 Rajya Sabha polls to 37 seats

Advantage BJP in March 16 Rajya Sabha polls to 37 seats

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

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.

Tamil Nadu releases final electoral roll; 97 lakh names deleted

Tamil Nadu releases final electoral roll; 97 lakh names deleted

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

The Election Commission has released the final electoral roll for Tamil Nadu, revealing a significant decrease in the number of voters due to deletions and new additions.

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

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

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

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.

Kerala SIR: Around 9 lakhs names deleted in final voter list

Kerala SIR: Around 9 lakhs names deleted in final voter list

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

According to data released by the ECI, the revised electoral roll has 2,69,53,644 voters, compared to 2,78,50,855 before the Special Intensive Revision began in October last year.

The Rapper Who Will Be Nepal's New PM

The Rapper Who Will Be Nepal's New PM

Rediff.com13 hours ago

With the Rastriya Swatantra Party likely to win a two thirds majority, rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah will be Nepal's next prime minister.

BJP Promises to Replicate Assam Model in Bengal

BJP Promises to Replicate Assam Model in Bengal

Rediff.com5 days ago

BJP national president Nitin Nabin announced the party's plan to replicate Assam's 'detect, delete and deport' model to expel alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators in West Bengal if voted to power.

TMC Nominates Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar, Menaka Guruswamy, and Koel Mallick for Rajya Sabha

TMC Nominates Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar, Menaka Guruswamy, and Koel Mallick for Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, including Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar, Menaka Guruswamy, and Koel Mallick.

Banerjee Alleges BJP Interference in West Bengal Governor's Resignation

Banerjee Alleges BJP Interference in West Bengal Governor's Resignation

Rediff.com15 hours ago

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the central government of pressuring the outgoing Governor C V Ananda Bose to resign and alleged that his replacement, R N Ravi, is a BJP cadre.

Over 60% Bangladeshis vote 'yes' to change Constitution

Over 60% Bangladeshis vote 'yes' to change Constitution

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

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.

West Bengal CM Announces Unemployment Allowance Ahead of Polls

West Bengal CM Announces Unemployment Allowance Ahead of Polls

Rediff.com13 hours ago

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a new unemployment allowance of Rs 1,500 per month for young job seekers in the state, starting March 7. The announcement comes ahead of the assembly elections and aims to support unemployed youth aged 21-40 who have passed their secondary exams.

BJP Fields Sanjay Bhatia for Haryana Rajya Sabha Seat

BJP Fields Sanjay Bhatia for Haryana Rajya Sabha Seat

Rediff.com4 days ago

The BJP has nominated Sanjay Bhatia, its former MP from Karnal, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha poll from Haryana. This decision comes as two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana are set to fall vacant, prompting elections scheduled for March 16.

BNP sweeps Bangladesh polls; Tarique Rahman to be PM

BNP sweeps Bangladesh polls; Tarique Rahman to be PM

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

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

Bengal: Post-SIR list out, 66 lakh names likely to be deleted

Bengal: Post-SIR list out, 66 lakh names likely to be deleted

Rediff.com7 days ago

The draft rolls published on December 16 had already pared down the electorate from 7.66 crore to 7.08 crore, deleting over 58 lakh names on grounds of death, migration, duplication and untraceability.

Bengal braces for post-SIR rolls on Saturday amid rising voter tensions

Bengal braces for post-SIR rolls on Saturday amid rising voter tensions

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

The upcoming publication of West Bengal's electoral rolls is expected to intensify political tensions and debates ahead of the Assembly elections, reflecting concerns about voter inclusion and identity.

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.

Banerjee Questions President's Silence on Tribal Issues, Alleges Political Interference

Banerjee Questions President's Silence on Tribal Issues, Alleges Political Interference

Rediff.com5 hours ago

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused President Droupadi Murmu of acting on the advice of the BJP and questioned her silence on issues affecting tribal communities in other states. This comes after Murmu raised concerns about the pace of tribal development in West Bengal.

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.com18 Feb 2026

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.

Pradhan Accuses TMC of Protecting 'Infiltrators' for Votes

Pradhan Accuses TMC of Protecting 'Infiltrators' for Votes

Rediff.com6 days ago

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accuses the TMC of objecting to the omission of names from electoral rolls due to fears of losing the 'infiltrator' vote bank in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls.

BJP leads with Rs 6,769 cr income in FY25; Congress second at Rs 918 cr

BJP leads with Rs 6,769 cr income in FY25; Congress second at Rs 918 cr

Rediff.com2 days ago

A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals that the BJP declared the highest income among national parties in FY 2024-25, while the Congress's income declined.

Murmu's 'upset' remark sparks spat with Mamata; Modi jumps in

Murmu's 'upset' remark sparks spat with Mamata; Modi jumps in

Rediff.com6 hours ago

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee escalates tensions ahead of assembly polls by accusing President Droupadi Murmu of political bias and criticising her stance on tribal welfare, sparking a major controversy.

RS polls: Sharad Pawar to get fresh term; BJP fields 4 nominees in Maha

RS polls: Sharad Pawar to get fresh term; BJP fields 4 nominees in Maha

Rediff.com3 days ago

The Congress party has announced its support for Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra.

Nitish set to step down as Bihar CM, to contest RS poll

Nitish set to step down as Bihar CM, to contest RS poll

Rediff.com3 days ago

Speculation is rife in Bihar about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar potentially moving to the Rajya Sabha, leading to discussions about a possible BJP chief minister and a role for Kumar's son, Nishant. Senior BJP leaders have dismissed the rumours.

Election of 45 Bihar MLAs challenged in HC

Election of 45 Bihar MLAs challenged in HC

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

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

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.com13 Feb 2026

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

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.

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

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

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

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.