ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
SC asks ECI to examine making booth data public
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India to examine a plea seeking the release of authenticated voter turnout data within 48 hours of polling. The petition, filed by ADR and MP Mahua Moitra, requests the uploading of Form 17C Part-I on the ECI website.
ECI meets with Election Commissioner of Bhutan Ugyen Chewang
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi met their Bhutanese counterpart, Ugyen Chewang, in New Delhi. The meeting was part of a two-week training program on election administration for Bhutanese officers, covering diverse aspects of election management and leadership development.
TMC MP Saket Gokhale demands Bharat Ratna for TN Seshan
TMC leader Saket Gokhale has called for the Bharat Ratna for former Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan, highlighting his role in preserving the Election Commission's independence. Gokhale raised concerns about government influence on the ECI and alleged the mishandling of the Model Code of Conduct.
Willing to talk about putting online polling booth-wise voter data: EC to SC
The Supreme Court has acknowledged the Election Commission of India's readiness to consider the request for posting polling booth-wise voter turnout data online. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is open to discussions, and petitioners are advised to present their concerns to the poll body within 10 days.
SC gives 3 months to Centre for delimitation exercise in northeast
The Supreme Court has granted the Centre three months to carry out the delimitation exercise in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam. Despite a 2020 presidential order, progress had been delayed, with the government citing ongoing violence in Manipur. The court emphasized the legal necessity following the President's order, urging prompt action.
Three EPIC hurdles in Aadhaar linking
The Election Commission considers linking Aadhaar and voter ID cards but faces privacy concerns, legal amendments, and political opposition. The SC has emphasized that any Aadhaar linkage must meet stringent necessity and proportionality tests. A high-level meeting is set to discuss the way forward.
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PM Modi hails Election Commission, says global community should study its working
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded India's 'neutral and independent' Election Commission for its management of the world's largest democratic exercise. Modi emphasized the massive scale and complexity of India's electoral process, with 980 million registered voters and more than 1 million polling booths. He highlighted the media's role in strengthening democracy and India's commitment to improving voter participation.
BJP releases list of 3 candidates for Maharashtra Legislative Council by-polls
The Bharatiya Janata Party announced three candidates for Maharashtra Legislative Council by-elections, aiming to strengthen its legislative presence. The by-elections followed the MLC seats vacated due to last year's assembly election results, with voting set for March 27.
Judiciary's role in selection of CEC: A question of balance
Concerns regarding the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and an election commissioner due to Chief Justice of India's absence in the selection committee are unwarranted. The constitution mandates the President to appoint these positions, advised by the executive. Trust in candidate integrity and a vigilant Leader of Opposition help ensure unbiased appointments.
Ahead of 2026 polls, TMC's Abhishek Banerjee launches drive to identify bogus voters
Trinamool National general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has initiated the formation of various committees to identify bogus voters ahead of the 2026 polls. Verification work will begin on 16 April, focusing on areas where the party underperformed. Training camps and videos will support the verification process.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar calls for discussion with Home Secretary, CEO UIDAI on linking of EPIC and Aadhaar on March 18
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will discuss the linking of EPIC and Aadhaar with key officials on March 18. The Election Commission aims to resolve duplicate voter ID issues within three months and has invited political parties to submit suggestions by April 30.
SC to hear on Mar 18 plea to debar poll candidates charged for serious offences
The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea seeking to debar candidates with serious charges from polls on March 18. The plea, based on increasing criminal cases among MPs, also requests directives to restrain such candidates from contesting elections.
EC seeks suggestions from political parties on unresolved issues, plans interactions with top leaders
The Election Commission of India invites suggestions from political parties to resolve outstanding electoral issues and enhance the framework. The ECI plans direct interactions with top leaders, and parties are asked to nominate representatives for specialized training. The Commission seeks feedback by April 30, ensuring compliance within the legal framework and requests action reports by March 2025.
Election Commission seeks suggestions from parties on 'unresolved issues', to accept feedback till April 30
The Election Commission has invited political parties to provide suggestions by April 30 to strengthen the electoral process amid allegations of fudging voter rolls. EC has also suggested interactions with party leaders to address unresolved issues and improve transparency, urging political parties to engage proactively.
Trinamool, BJD and BJP delegations meet ECI over fake voter ID cards issue
Delegations from BJD and Trinamool Congress met the Election Commission over voter number irregularities. BJD suggested an independent audit by CAG and citizen monitoring, while Trinamool raised concerns about duplicate EPICs. BJP accused the West Bengal government of adding Bangladeshi infiltrators to voter lists, weakening the electoral process. Both parties demanded action to ensure fair elections.
Oppn walks out of Rajya Sabha as chair refuses discussion on delimitation, EPIC issues
The Rajya Sabha witnessed a walkout by the Opposition after their notices to suspend business for discussing issues like duplicate voter IDs and delimitation were rejected. With the Chair dismissing the notices, parties like Congress, DMK, and Trinamool staged walkouts. The government expressed readiness to debate all matters and suggested the Opposition needs a refresher on parliamentary rules.
Trinamool raises duplicate voters' ID cards issue
Lok Sabha Trinamool Congress members raised concerns over duplicate voter IDs and irregularities with a call for electoral roll revision. BJP accused Trinamool of enrolling Bangladeshi Muslims and Rohingyas. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge demanded Parliament debate. Trinamool plans to meet the chief election commissioner. The Election Commission identified duplicate EPIC numbers as an ongoing legacy issue.
"People are watching you": Bihar Minister takes dig at Tejashwi Yadav over his remark on toddy
Bihar Minister Shrawon Kumar criticized RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's proposal to exclude toddy from the state's Prohibition Act, emphasizing that the state had resolved to avoid such substances. Kumar highlighted the government's support for toddy producers through the Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana. Yadav defended his stance, citing the marginalized Pasi community's reliance on toddy tapping for income.
Duplicate voter card issue to be addressed in 3 months: ECI
The Election Commission of India will resolve the longstanding issue of duplicate EPIC numbers within three months by assigning unique national EPIC numbers to electors. This decision comes amid allegations of voter roll fraud, particularly in West Bengal. The ECI emphasized that despite EPIC duplication, voters can only cast their vote at their assigned polling station.
After SC observation, ECI pauses over 100 EVM memory check applications
The Election Commission of India has paused the verification process of EVMs following the Supreme Court's recent observations on the protocol involved. This affects nearly 100 applications in Maharashtra and several others across states as the Commission waits for further legal clarity.
Election Commission to resolve issue of duplicate EPIC numbers within three months
The Election Commission of India plans to resolve issues related to duplicate Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers within three months. This decision follows comprehensive technical discussions and aims to ensure each elector has a unique national EPIC number, addressing concerns raised by inconsistencies and alleged voter list manipulation.
Will Delhi's water supply be affected due to rising ammonia concentrations in Yamuna?
Delhi Jal Board has reported elevated ammonia levels in the Yamuna, primarily due to industrial discharges from Haryana. Despite this, water distribution remained unaffected on Wednesday. Officials are concerned because high ammonia levels disrupt water treatment capacities, posing operational challenges and highlighting the need for an unbuilt treatment facility at Wazirabad.
ED conducts country-wide raids in money laundering case against SDPI
The Enforcement Directorate conducted nationwide raids targeting the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). The investigation follows the arrest of SDPI national president M K Faizy. Authorities claim SDPI acts as the PFI’s political front. The SDPI denies this, maintaining its autonomous status.
CEC urges officials to engage with parties, seeks report by month-end
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has directed election officials to be responsive to political parties and ensure regular all-party meetings. Kumar stressed the importance of fair practices, including addressing duplication of voter ID numbers, training booth officers to be courteous, and registering all eligible voters. An action report is to be submitted by March 31, 2025.
Trinamool Congress accuses Election Commission of cover-up
Trinamool Congress intensifies pressure on the Election Commission of India, alleging a "cover-up" on the duplicate voter ID issue. MP Saket Gokhale criticized ECI’s clarifications and cited guidelines, asserting two cards can't have identical numbers. He warned that mismatched photos on electoral rolls could lead to voting refusals, particularly affecting non-BJP voters.
Give details on removal, lowering disqualification of convicted politicians: SC to ECI
The Supreme Court has requested the Election Commission of India to provide details of instances where it has reduced or removed disqualification periods for convicted leaders under Section 11 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. The court aims to address concerns about the criminalisation of politics.
EC's clarification on duplicate voter ID numbers a cover-up: TMC
The Trinamool Congress alleges a scam in issuing duplicate voter ID numbers, dismissing the Election Commission's explanation as a cover-up. TMC's Saket Gokhale asserts that election guidelines do not permit duplicate EPIC numbers. Accusations include potential voter suppression favoring BJP and calls for impartial investigation, raising concerns over election integrity.
ECI must accept error in 24 hours: Trinamool on voter card duplication
The Trinamool Congress criticized the Election Commission of India over duplicated voter cards, with demands to rectify the error within 24 hours. Party leader Derek O'Brien warned of further actions if the EC fails to acknowledge and correct the mistake, which involves identical EPIC numbers assigned to voters in different states.
Slave to RSS: DMK's Elangovan attacks BJP amid delimitation row
DMK leader TKS Elangovan criticized the BJP for being controlled by the RSS after BJP's decision to boycott an all-party meeting called by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin. The meeting aimed to discuss the proposed constituency delimitation and its impact on the state. BJP state chief K Annamalai accused Stalin of spreading misconceptions and imaginary fears regarding the delimitation process.
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