The Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh has strongly denied media reports alleging irregularities in the addition of 16.18 lakh voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The CEO asserted that the process was conducted with "utmost transparency" and in strict adherence to electoral laws and ECI instructions, clarifying the collection and processing of Form-6 applications.
Uttarakhand's final electoral roll, released after the Special Intensive Revision, shows a significant reduction of approximately 8 lakh voters compared to the start of the process, with the total now standing at 71.58 lakh. The opposition Congress, however, claims the decline is much steeper, citing a 14 lakh reduction from an earlier figure. The Chief Electoral Officer's office detailed the revision process, including additions and removals, and outlined ongoing efforts to ensure all eligible citizens are included.
The Election Commission of India has introduced new restrictions on the number of Form 7 applications an individual can submit, both online and offline. This move aims to prevent bulk or malicious attempts to remove legitimate voters from electoral rolls and streamline the objection process, especially after reports from states like Karnataka and Odisha.
The Supreme Court has emphasised the need for timely investigations and conclusions of criminal cases involving illicit money in elections. Observing that black money compromises democracy and the rule of law, the court issued several directives, including reporting seizures to competent authorities within 24 hours, completing investigations within a year, and submitting quarterly status reports to the Election Commission. The ruling also mandates High Courts to designate special courts for expeditious disposal of cases against candidates and requires High Court approval for withdrawing cases.
The Election Commission of India has announced decisions addressing concerns raised by two election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, over the past 10 months. These issues included changes to voter registration forms, access to the electoral roll database, the handling of Goa's 97 voters, communications issued without full commission approval, oversight of the IT division, and appeals against voter restoration. The EC has provided responses and outlined steps to resolve these internal disputes and improve transparency and compliance.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has announced fresh elections for November 27, concluding a prolonged legal dispute over its governance. This decision follows an interim administrative arrangement and constitutional amendments in line with new sports governance legislation. Rajeev Sharma has been appointed Election Commissioner, and a task force will address AITA Trust issues.
A group of 124 former IAS, IFS, IPS, and allied services officers have issued an open letter defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. They argue that the electoral system cannot be deemed rigged only when a party loses, citing instances where the ruling BJP lost elections under the same EC. The officers highlight the legitimacy and necessity of the SIR for cleaning voter rolls and underscore the robust safeguards within India's electoral system.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi has highlighted a report indicating internal differences within the Election Commission of India, questioning why two Election Commissioners reportedly sought an appointment with the Cabinet Secretary. She alleged centralisation of power, lack of transparency in voter list processes, and raised concerns over the commissioners not signing a press release, demanding an investigation into these matters.
Former Chief Election Commissioners have voiced strong objections to reported 'illegal' changes in voter registration Form 6 and the centralisation of electoral roll control, raising serious concerns about the integrity of future elections.
Sources have refuted Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding President Droupadi Murmu's response to 'vote chori' allegations, stating it's 'unfortunate' she's being drawn into the controversy. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc, after meeting the President, has vowed to provide a 'mountain of proof' to support their claims of electoral malpractice and demand for the CEC's resignation.
The Election Commission of India clarified its position after INDIA bloc MPs marched to its office, stating that no formal appointment was sought until late afternoon. The EC later declined a request to meet 240 MPs at the Parliament House Annexe, citing protocol that meetings must be held at the EC premises. The incident involved a protest march led by Rahul Gandhi and a standoff with police.
The Madras High Court has issued notices to key political figures and the Election Commission following a petition alleging corrupt practices during the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, including the use of children to influence voters.
The DMK has launched a strong attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his silence on alleged voter deletions in Tamil Nadu and accusing him of inconsistency regarding electoral roll revisions. This comes amidst a broader campaign by the INDIA bloc against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Unless the Congress stops seeing a CIA and RSS in everyone who disagrees with it, many well-meaning people will find it difficult to rub shoulders with Rahul Gandhi, notes M R Narayan Swamy.
The Election Commission has removed an additional declaration related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) from the online voter enrolment Form 6 in states where the SIR process is complete. This decision follows internal objections from Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi regarding changes to the form and the process. The EC maintains the declaration was SIR-specific and not an amendment to Form 6 itself.
The Bombay High Court's Goa bench has ruled that draft electoral rolls cannot be the sole basis for deleting names from voter lists, asserting that administrative software cannot supersede statutory laws. The court questioned the Election Commission of India's authority to delete voters without a hearing, highlighting concerns over the ERONET system's limitations and its potential to disenfranchise citizens.
FIRs have been registered against BJP leader Ravi Patil and others in Karnataka for allegedly attempting to delete the names of minority community voters from electoral rolls using fraudulent Form-7 applications. Similar cases of alleged voter deletion have also emerged in Bidar and Mysuru, leading to political protests by the Chief Minister.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asserted that the judiciary cannot be browbeaten, during a hearing on a plea against a political march to the Supreme Court by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders on October 12. The plea alleges an attempt to obstruct the judicial system and seeks a ban on political demonstrations within court premises. The court has issued notices to the leaders and ordered the preservation of CCTV footage from the incident.
The Election Commission of India has revised instructions for the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, allowing voters served notices for "No Mapping" or "Logical Discrepancy" categories to avoid physical appearance. Booth Level Officers will collect documents at residences, and submissions can also be made via WhatsApp or during special camps, ensuring a more accessible process for electors.
The Sports Ministry has established a 20-member National Sports Election Panel, including former Chief Election Commissioners, to oversee fair elections in national sports bodies as mandated by the National Sports Governance Act. Concurrently, the deadline for applications to the National Sports Tribunal, which will handle sports disputes, has been extended.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh has accused the Congress and its allies of attempting to instigate a 'Bangladesh-like regime change' in India, leveraging youth energy for political confrontation and anarchy, rather than constructive nation-building.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress has unveiled a new logo featuring a football player as its interim election symbol. This move comes after the Election Commission froze the party's original name and symbol due to an internal dispute. The new symbol, along with the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress', will be used in the upcoming October 6 bypolls, with the faction actively publicising it to familiarise voters.
India's Election Commission's centralised voter database systems, ERONET and ECINet, are under scrutiny following concerns raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi regarding the centralisation of electoral rolls and control available to state election officials. The article explains how these systems work and why they are currently in the news.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an application alleging that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed a pregnant journalist during a march to the apex court on October 12. The matter was mentioned by senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, who stated the journalist was three months pregnant and required hospitalisation. The court will hear the application on October 26 or October 27, alongside other pleas related to the October 12 march and electoral roll irregularities.
Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan, ex-IAF Chief NAK Browne, and other prominent figures in Delhi have received notices regarding discrepancies in their voter details during the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Over 33 lakh electors have been identified for such notices, with a deadline of September 30 for responses.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a revised schedule for the Special Intensive Revision of Maharashtra's electoral roll, pushing the final publication date to November 16, 2026. The period for filing claims and objections has also been extended.
'If Gyanesh Kumar had some shame he would have resigned and would have taken agni pariksha.'
The Congress party has launched nationwide protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his removal. Accusing him of acting in favour of the BJP and citing alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions (SIR), party workers burned effigies and clashed with police. Opposition parties plan further action, including a meeting of the INDIA bloc to strategize for his ouster.
Amid sweltering October heat in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray turns up the heat against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, hinting obliquely about Nuremberg-like trials once the wheels of electoral fortune change.
The Supreme Court has expressed concern to the Election Commission regarding the "almost mechanical" issuance of notices under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Delhi, urging additional safeguards and clarification on "logical discrepancy" criteria. The court is hearing a petition challenging the EC's process, which has seen millions of voters receive notices, raising practical difficulties and concerns about potential disenfranchisement.
When it pretends to be deaf, a situation can snowball into something it cannot contain. The government cannot dismiss public anger merely because protests are inconvenient or politically embarrassing, asserts Ramesh Menon.
The Election Commission has launched a special drive to include eligible citizens who were omitted or deleted during the recent Special Investigative Review (SIR) exercise, as well as to register new and young voters. This initiative follows accusations from opposition parties regarding disenfranchisement and aims to ensure no eligible citizen is left out of the electoral process.
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.
Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has unequivocally stated that any process disenfranchising Indian citizens is arbitrary and violates the Constitution.
Harvard trained lawyer Shahdan Farasat's detention by the Delhi police at Saturday's protest has ignited a crucial debate on the shrinking space for peaceful dissent and the protection of democratic rights.
The Supreme Court stated it has not approved any modifications to Form 6, used for electoral roll inclusion, during the Special Intensive Revision. This observation came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging alleged unilateral decisions by the Chief Election Commissioner regarding changes to Form 6 and electoral roll revisions in states like Goa and West Bengal, without the concurrence of his colleagues. The court issued notice on the plea, highlighting concerns over collective decision-making within the Election Commission.
'I was just thinking about me, because my rights have been affected. That's it.' 'I am an ordinary citizen of this country, and I am expecting my rights (as a voter) to be restored.'
BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi emphasized the importance of fair elections, transparent bureaucracy, and constitutional adherence for a functioning democracy. His comments come amidst opposition protests led by the INDIA bloc, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revisions and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation.
The DMK has announced its exit from the INDIA bloc, citing "betrayal" by the Congress and asserting its independent political path. The party accused Congress leaders, including TNCC chief B Manickam Tagore, of making unsavoury remarks and acting as "sleeper cells," which contributed to the DMK's electoral setbacks. The DMK warned Congress leaders against further criticism and stated it would not participate in Congress-led agitations.
The Election Commission replaced the inspector-in-charge of Nandigram police station, Ajay Kumar Mishra, with Debashis Sarkar a day before the bypoll, following complaints from opposition parties alleging Mishra's closeness to the ruling party. This move comes amidst heightened political scrutiny and concerns raised by opposition leaders regarding the fairness of the election process in Nandigram, a constituency with significant political history in West Bengal.
