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BJP's Sambit Patra slams Opposition amid Election Commission SIR dissent row; hails democracy

BJP MP Sambit Patra defended the Election Commission amid the SIR row, saying correspondence among the three Election Commissioners on 14 occasions showed that the poll panel had engaged in official deliberations.

The Economic Times · Sep 23

IE investigation: Ex-CEC calls dissent ‘unprecedented’, but some media outlets fall for ‘sources’ again

An investigation in The Indian Express has raised serious questions about the functioning of the Election Commission. Over the past 10 months, two of its three Election Commissioners recorded at least 14 formal, on-record objections to decisions taken in the Commission’s name.

Newslaundry · Sep 23

Election Commission pushes back on dissent reports, says all SIR decisions were unanimous

The Election Commission has rejected suggestions of a split within the poll body over the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, saying all major decisions over the past year were taken unanimously. The clarification follows reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised multiple objections…

The Economic Times · Sep 23

Rajya Sabha polls for 12 seats announced; BJP likely to retain 8 in Uttar Pradesh, SP eyes gain, BSP faces exit

The Election Commission has scheduled Rajya Sabha elections for twelve seats on October 16th. A heated rivalry is anticipated in Uttar Pradesh for ten seats, with the BJP expected to secure eight. Meanwhile, in West Bengal, the BJP aims to capture the lone contested seat. In Uttarakhand, the ruling BJP…

The Economic Times · Sep 22

Delhi SIR: What to do if you receive a notice, documents needed, deadline & other key things to note

The notices have been sent to unlinked electors whose names could not be matched with the electoral roll from the previous SIR. They also cover cases involving logical discrepancies, such as mismatches in names or unusual differences in the ages of voters and their parents or siblings.

The Economic Times · Sep 22

Legislative Council polls to 28 seats in four states on October 23: Election Commission

The Election Commission announced Legislative Council elections for 28 graduates' and teachers' constituencies across Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh on October 23. Under Article 171 of the Constitution, these special electoral colleges elect members (MLCs) to state Vidhan Parishads. The upcoming vacancies—occurring in November and December—comprise 11 seats in…

The Economic Times · Sep 22

Mamata camp unveils new logo with football symbol as TMC identity battle deepens

The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC faction has unveiled a new logo featuring its interim football-player election symbol after the Election Commission froze the party’s original name and flowers-and-grass symbol amid an internal dispute. With the October 6 bypolls approaching, the faction is working to familiarise voters with its new identity, while…

The Economic Times · Sep 21

'Method Of Disenfranchising Indians': Congress slams SIR

The Congress party has criticized the Election Commission's voter list revision exercise. They allege this process is a method of disenfranchising Indian citizens. Large numbers of notices have been issued for discrepancies in voter details. The opposition claims this disproportionately affects disadvantaged sections of society. The Election Commission states the…

The Economic Times · Sep 21

'SIR really means 'Shah Instigated Removal' of voters: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh

The Congress party has alleged that the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is a "Shah Instigated Removal" of voters, constituting an "assault on the Constitution." The party claims that a significant number of deletions, particularly affecting economically and socially disadvantaged sections and women, have occurred across…

The Economic Times · Sep 20

Mamata's backing of Congress in Nandigram bypoll signals possible reset in Bengal opposition politics

In a notable political shift, a former West Bengal chief minister endorses a Congress candidate for the Nandigram bypoll, suggesting a realignment of opposition politics within the state. Amidst unrest, the Election Commission has suspended the use of the Trinamool Congress's name and symbol. The former chief minister emphasizes Congress…

The Economic Times · Sep 20