News for 'two-phase elections'

Govt's special session aims to influence Bengal, TN polls: Congress

Govt's special session aims to influence Bengal, TN polls: Congress

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

The Congress party has accused the government of scheduling a 'special session' to pass bills related to women's quota and delimitation with the intention of gaining political advantage in the upcoming West Bengal and Tamil Nadu elections, calling it a violation of the model code of conduct.

EC removes Mamata's chief secy, DGP ahead of Bengal poll

EC removes Mamata's chief secy, DGP ahead of Bengal poll

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

The Election Commission's move to transfer West Bengal's chief secretary and DGP soon after the announcement of Assembly poll dates triggered a political slugfest.

'Modi biggest infiltrator': Mamata at Eid congregation

'Modi biggest infiltrator': Mamata at Eid congregation

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP-led central government of attempting to suppress voting rights through voter roll revisions, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the 'biggest infiltrator'.

Banerjee Accuses Modi of Being 'Biggest Infiltrator' Amid Voter Roll Row

Banerjee Accuses Modi of Being 'Biggest Infiltrator' Amid Voter Roll Row

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP-led central government of attempting to suppress voting rights through voter roll revisions, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the 'biggest infiltrator'. She framed the upcoming assembly elections as a fight for democratic rights and Bengal's social harmony.

Banerjee Slams BJP, Alleges Plot to Snatch Voting Rights

Banerjee Slams BJP, Alleges Plot to Snatch Voting Rights

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of attempting to suppress voting rights and polarise the electorate ahead of the assembly elections.

Mamata vs Suvendu returns, this time in Bhabanipur

Mamata vs Suvendu returns, this time in Bhabanipur

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

The political rivalry in Nandigram that defined West Bengal's 2021 assembly polls is set to return to centre stage in a new arena, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee locking horns with her protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur, turning the south Kolkata seat into the likely epicentre of the 2026 electoral battle.

TMC manifesto bets on women voters, ramps up welfare push

TMC manifesto bets on women voters, ramps up welfare push

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has released its manifesto for the West Bengal elections, focusing on welfare politics and women's empowerment with pledges to expand existing schemes, improve healthcare, and develop infrastructure.

Abhishek Banerjee Dares Amit Shah to Resign Amidst 'Clean Politics' Debate

Abhishek Banerjee Dares Amit Shah to Resign Amidst 'Clean Politics' Debate

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resign, citing hypocrisy in Shah's call for 'clean politics' given his past arrest. Banerjee also criticised the Election Commission and defended his party's record.

Bihar sees first election without violence or repolling

Bihar sees first election without violence or repolling

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

In a first, the Bihar assembly polls this time saw no voting day deaths and no re-polling being ordered in any constituency.

Nagaland Govt to Form Interim Council for Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority

Nagaland Govt to Form Interim Council for Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Nagaland Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla announced the state government's plans to form an interim council for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) and highlighted key achievements and future priorities across various sectors during the Budget Session.

Bihar Verdict: NOTA Votes Increase Marginally

Bihar Verdict: NOTA Votes Increase Marginally

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The share of none of the above (NOTA) option went up marginally this time in the Bihar assembly polls as compared to the last elections but is still much lower than 2015, data shared by the Election Commission shows.

Bihar Polls: Phase 2: Touch And Go Seats

Bihar Polls: Phase 2: Touch And Go Seats

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

The final phase of the two-phase Bihar elections takes place today, November 11.

Bihar Polls: Phase 1: Touch And Go Seats

Bihar Polls: Phase 1: Touch And Go Seats

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

According to data available from the Election Commission of India, 17 seats in the 2020 Assembly elections had a victory margin of less than 1.5%

BJP, alliance sweep Maha local body polls; money power, says Oppn

BJP, alliance sweep Maha local body polls; money power, says Oppn

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

The opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) conceded defeat in the elections to municipal councils and nagar panchayats, accusing the election commission of 'facilitating' the victory of the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Bihar Polls: How Many Crorepatis In Phase 2?

Bihar Polls: How Many Crorepatis In Phase 2?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

562 Crorepatis!

Who Said Nitish Kumar Is Ill?

Who Said Nitish Kumar Is Ill?

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Despite claims that he is tired and unwell, Nitish Kumar has addressed 84 election rallies, urging voters to give him 'one more chance'.

Kerala civic polls: BJP cracks Left citadel, Tharoor hails victory

Kerala civic polls: BJP cracks Left citadel, Tharoor hails victory

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The Congress-led UDF secured a decisive victory in Kerala's local body elections, dealing a blow to the LDF, while the BJP gained significant ground, including winning control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

Bihar polls: Mahagathbandhan to release joint manifesto on Oct 28

Bihar polls: Mahagathbandhan to release joint manifesto on Oct 28

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav will address joint rallies before the first Phase of voting and, after that, for the seats in the second Phase of voting, they added.

Will Nitish get a record 5th term? Bihar to decide today

Will Nitish get a record 5th term? Bihar to decide today

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

People of Bihar wait with bated breath for Friday's counting of votes polled in the recent assembly elections, which will decide whether Janata Dal-United supremo Nitish Kumar, the state's longest-serving chief minister, will get a record fifth term or whether a change in government will be witnessed.

Women power behind NDA's landslide in Bihar

Women power behind NDA's landslide in Bihar

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

In Bihar, women outvoted men and, perhaps, became one of the decisive factors behind the NDA's landslide victory in the assembly polls in the state on Friday.

Verify identity of burqa-clad voters: Bihar BJP to EC

Verify identity of burqa-clad voters: Bihar BJP to EC

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

The RJD, which has been voicing apprehensions that the SIR might have been carried out to "help" the BJP-led NDA, also urged the EC to divulge details of the 3.66 lakh persons whose names were deleted from the final electoral roll published earlier this week.

Congratulations to Gyanesh Kumar: Oppn on NDA's big Bihar win

Congratulations to Gyanesh Kumar: Oppn on NDA's big Bihar win

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance appeared to register a landslide victory in Bihar, opening up impressive leads in more than 180 of the state's 243 assembly seats, with early trends also indicating that the saffron party was on track to post its biggest tally.

EC directs crackdown on illicit cash, liquor, drugs in Bihar polls

EC directs crackdown on illicit cash, liquor, drugs in Bihar polls

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The Election Commission has directed enforcement agencies and security forces to take proactive measures during the Bihar elections to prevent the use of drugs, liquor, and cash to influence voters.

Fadnavis vows job priority for locals at Vadhavan Port

Fadnavis vows job priority for locals at Vadhavan Port

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said local residents must be given priority in jobs at the upcoming Vadhavan Port project in Palghar district, and warned that any attempts to deprive them of their 'rightful employment' at the mega facility would not be tolerated.

How Many Candidates In Bihar Have Criminal Records?

How Many Candidates In Bihar Have Criminal Records?

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

33 candidates face cases of murder, 86 candidates face cases related to attempted murder, 42 candidates have cases related to crimes against women with two of them facing rape cases.

Turncoats, former don in Nitish's 1st Bihar list

Turncoats, former don in Nitish's 1st Bihar list

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

The list included turncoats like Shyam Rajak, who returned to the JD-U, quitting RJD about a year ago, and don-turned-politician Anant Kumar Singh, who had filed nomination papers from the Mokama assembly seat on Tuesday.

Bihar on edge: RJD warns of 'Nepal-like situation' if.....

Bihar on edge: RJD warns of 'Nepal-like situation' if.....

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

Bihar is preparing for the counting of votes in the recent assembly elections, with political leaders reviewing preparations and expressing confidence in their respective alliances' prospects. Security measures are in place to ensure a smooth and transparent counting process.

EC bars bulk SMSes, political ads in Bihar's 'silent hour'

EC bars bulk SMSes, political ads in Bihar's 'silent hour'

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

The Election Commission has warned against the use of bulk SMSes and audio messages during the 48-hour 'silence period' before the conclusion of voting in the Bihar assembly polls. The EC has also mandated pre-certification of political advertisements on electronic media, including social media.

Mahagathbandhan likely to name Tejashwi as CM face today

Mahagathbandhan likely to name Tejashwi as CM face today

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

As the election dates come closer, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav is likely to be announced as the chief ministerial candidate by the opposition Mahagathbandhan on Thursday.

Bihar poll temperature set to rise with multiple rallies

Bihar poll temperature set to rise with multiple rallies

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi are set to address public rallies in Bihar on Wednesday in support of their respective party nominees. Other leaders will also campaign ahead of the upcoming elections.

Systematic 'vote chori' evolved by Modi: Rahul

Systematic 'vote chori' evolved by Modi: Rahul

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that a 'systematic vote chori' method, evolved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Election Commission to 'kill Indian democracy', will be deployed in the Bihar assembly polls as well.

EC to begin pan-India SIR next week in '10-15 states'

EC to begin pan-India SIR next week in '10-15 states'

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will to polls in 2026 and they are amongst the states where the voters' list cleanup exercise will begin first.

BJP forced 3 Jan Suraaj candidates to withdraw from Bihar polls: Kishor

BJP forced 3 Jan Suraaj candidates to withdraw from Bihar polls: Kishor

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

Poll strategist Prashant Kishor alleges that the BJP pressured three Jan Suraaj Party candidates to withdraw from the Bihar elections, accusing the ruling NDA of threatening opposition candidates and urging the Election Commission to ensure candidate security. The BJP denies the allegations.

Verification of burqa-clad women introduced by TN Seshan: EC

Verification of burqa-clad women introduced by TN Seshan: EC

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

The Election Commission defends its directive to verify the identity of burqa-clad women at Bihar polling stations, citing a 1994 order issued during T N Seshan's tenure.

2nd phase of voter revision in 12 states, UTs from Nov-Feb

2nd phase of voter revision in 12 states, UTs from Nov-Feb

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

The Election Commission will conduct phase two of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union territories between November and February, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced on Monday.

How RJD-Congress 'Feud' Was Sorted Out...

How RJD-Congress 'Feud' Was Sorted Out...

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Ashok Gehlot convinced the RJD leadership that the Congress had no issue about declaring Tejashwi as the Mahagathbandan's chief minister face.

Will BJP field folk singer Maithili Thakur in Bihar polls?

Will BJP field folk singer Maithili Thakur in Bihar polls?

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Popular folk singer Maithili Thakur has indicated her willingness to make her political debut from her hometown Benipatti in Madhubani district ahead of the Bihar assembly elections.

Bihar polls: Prashant Kishor to contest, announces candidates

Bihar polls: Prashant Kishor to contest, announces candidates

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor announces his participation in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, with the candidate list to be revealed on October 9. He predicts a significant vote share for his party and claims it will be Nitish Kumar's last election as Chief Minister.

'All I Want Is A Roof Of My Own'

'All I Want Is A Roof Of My Own'

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Hardworking people who toil from dawn to dusk and beyond speak about their everyday lives and what they want from the sarkar as Bihar prepares to vote.

Accused of 'fundraising' for Bihar polls, Karnataka CM says...

Accused of 'fundraising' for Bihar polls, Karnataka CM says...

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refuted BJP's claims of Congress funding Bihar elections and defended the state's decision on mandatory permissions for using public premises, stating it's a continuation of a previous BJP policy.