ECI CONSIDERATION
ECI's summary revision signals a shift from exclusion to inclusion
The Commission has ordered the SSR in 17 states with reference to January 1, 2027, including Assam and the five poll-bound states. Final rolls are scheduled for publication in first week of January, just ahead of National Voters' Day, which has come to symbolise voter participation in democracy. The announcement that remaining states will undergo the SSR once they fully close SIR process provides assurance that this annual revision under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act will have a normal run, albeit with varied scheduling.
Maharashtra CEO suggested changes to SIR form to ease voter stress, BLO load; ECI ignored
Concerns were raised by the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra about the complexities surrounding the enumeration form requirements and logical inconsistencies within the process. Recommendations to simplify these procedures were presented to reduce the burden on voters, as well as booth-level officers. However, the Election Commission of India reportedly chose not to adopt these suggestions.
IDEA flags decline in judicial independence, free parties in India
India is currently chairing the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, which highlights concerns about its democratic integrity. Recent reports indicate declines in judicial independence and the freedom of political parties in India. Investigations into opposition leaders ahead of the 2024 elections are raising significant concerns about political freedoms.
16 states await SSR, Hegde case, Attorney General opinion at centre of ECI rift
Both Election Commissioners -- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi -- are learnt to have interpreted that the AG opinion and Hegde case inputs favoured resuming the decades-old convention of annual SSR, which was paused after 2024, skipped in 2025 and is yet to be announced in 2026, already late given the usual announcement timeline of May-July.
Foreign nationals don't have inherent right to seek entry into India: Delhi HC
Delhi High Court has ruled that foreign nationals do not have an inherent right to enter India. The court stated that holding a visa does not guarantee unconditional entry into the country. A woman's plea for entry was dismissed after concerns about her travel history were raised.
Election Commissioner appointment law: The case on India's top election body before the Supreme Court, the controversy and what comes next | Explained
The Supreme Court has delivered a split verdict on petitions challenging the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. The case traces back to the 2015 Anoop Baranwal petition and raises questions over the selection panel, Election Commission independence, and what happens next.
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Rahul Gandhi slams EC over TMC name, symbol ban, says ‘vote chori, govt chori, now party chori’
Rahul Gandhi criticized the Election Commission's decision to bar rival Trinamool Congress factions from using the party name and symbol in West Bengal bypolls, alleging a pattern of BJP and EC collusion to split parties and snatch symbols. He stated this undermines democratic decline, comparing it to vote and government theft. The Congress condemned the EC's move as an abdication of responsibility, calling it a "birthday gift" to PM Modi.
Shobha Karandlaje urges Governor to block Karnataka Parks Bill over 5% land-use provision
Karandlaje objected particularly to a provision allowing the state government, on the recommendation of a high-level committee, to alienate or permit the use of up to 5% of a park’s total area through sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage or other means.
EC orders fresh polls at all 285 booths in Bengal’s Falta constituency
Fresh elections will be held in Falta Assembly Constituency on May 21, 2026. The Election Commission of India ordered the new polling across all 285 stations. This decision follows severe electoral offenses and subversion of the democratic process during the April 29, 2026 polls. Vote counting is scheduled for May 24, 2026.
West Bengal re-polling today at 15 booths in South 24 Parganas
Citing concerns over EVM manipulation and webcasting failures, the Election Commission of India has called for a repoll on May 2 at 15 sites across South 24 Parganas district. The areas affected include 11 polling stations in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour, voiding the earlier election results from April 29.
ET Graphics: Bengal picture abhi bhi baaki hai; SIR’s changing playbook
India's Election Commission is revising voter lists, removing over 5.98 crore names. The process, starting in Bihar, has changed significantly. Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are now undergoing revisions. West Bengal's revision faced legal challenges, leading to mass deletions and judicial oversight. The exercise aims to ensure accurate voter rolls.
Delhi HC nudges EC on K Kavitha’s Telangana Praja Jagruti plea
The Delhi High Court has asked the Election Commission of India to consider K Kavitha's plea to register her political party, Telangana Praja Jagruti. Kavitha's application deficiencies have been addressed. The court ordered the ECI to consider the application. Kavitha's lawyer requested a four-week timeline, citing upcoming local body elections in Telangana.
EC directs 23 states, UTs to prep for SIR rollout
The Election Commission of India has directed chief electoral officers across 23 states and Union Territories to expedite preparatory work for a special intensive revision of electoral rolls. This significant exercise is slated to commence in April. This move covers states like Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Punjab, which are preparing for elections in 2027.
Consider further extending Kerala SIR deadline: SC to ECI
The Supreme Court has urged the Election Commission of India to consider extending the deadline for Kerala's electoral roll revision forms, citing the ongoing local body elections. The bench suggested the poll body grant more time for officers involved in election duties to upload forms, deeming the request "just and fair" for consideration.
ECI's document rules and deadlines see silent shifts
Initially, the Election Commission mandated strict document submission deadlines for Bihar's Special Intensive Revision, but later eased requirements amid logistical challenges and Supreme Court scrutiny. While deletions from the draft electoral roll sparked controversy, the ECI conceded to considering Aadhaar for claims and extended the period for filing objections beyond the initial deadline.
Bihar SIR claims, objections can be filed even after September 1 deadline: ECI to SC
The Supreme Court addressed the Bihar electoral roll revision. The Election Commission of India (ECI) stated that objections could be filed after the deadline. The court requested legal volunteers to assist voters. These volunteers will submit confidential reports. The goal is to address trust issues with the ECI. The ECI noted more exclusion requests than inclusion requests.
SC refuses to stay SIR, nudges ECI to consider more ID proofs
The Supreme Court has allowed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to proceed with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, declining to halt the democratic process. The court urged the ECI to consider Aadhaar, ration cards, and EPIC cards as valid identity documents.
J&K assembly bypolls delayed; April deadline missed
The Election Commission of India has missed the deadline for holding bypolls in Budgam and Nagrota, J&K, following the Pahalgam attack. These seats have been vacant since October 2024, triggered by Omar Abdullah's choice to retain Ganderbal and the death of MLA Devender Singh Rana, respectively.
Ahead of June 4 (counting day) deadline: ECI tech team's options on verifying EVM microcontrollers likely before mid-May
Supreme Court's direction on EVM microcontrollers poses logistical and security challenges for the Election Commission of India. The technical expert committee is working on implementing the order before the Lok Sabha elections, including proposing options for microcontroller verification by mid-May.
Complaints against PM Modi's speech 'under ECI consideration'
Congress had filed a complaint with ECI on Monday over Modi's remarks on its manifesto that Congress party would redistribute the country's resources to "infiltrators" and "those who have many children". CPIM also took the matter to the poll panel, seeking proceedings against the PM and BJP for allegedly "inciting communal passions and hatred" and violating model code amid the ongoing elections.
Election Commission sweats over missing summer collection
ECI addresses low voter turnout in Phase 1, plans interventions for upcoming phases, including engaging political parties, mobilizing young voters, and improving voter facilities. Various states attribute turnout dip to factors like harvest season and Maoist presence.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's 'district police chief' brother transferred
The poll panel said in a statement on Thursday that the officials in these two districts have been transferred as "pre-emptive measures to dispel any apprehensions of the administration being biased or perceived to be compromised". Among others moved out are SPs of Chhota Udaipur and Ahmedabad Rural districts in Gujarat, SSPs of Pathankot, Fazilka, Jalandhar Rural and Malerkotla districts in Punjab, DM of Dhenkanal and SPs of Deogarh and Cuttack Rural districts in Odisha and DM of Purba Medinipur, Jhargram, Purba Bardhaman and Birbhum districts.
BJP, others urge ECI to hold J&K, LS polls together
Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir met the Election Commission of India to discuss concurrent assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The Panthers Party protested alleging a BJP-ECI nexus. The Supreme Court suggested assembly polls in J&K by September 2024. Mobile polling booths for registered societies were suggested.
SC order on Shiv Sena strengthens ECI’s primacy on symbol disputes, says EC proceedings cannot be stayed indefinitely
The Supreme Court order on the Shiv Sena dispute has not only upheld the Election Commission’s decision to grant the ‘bow and arrow’ symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction but also strengthened the poll panel’s overall primacy in determining all symbol-related disputes through a test that is ‘best suited’ to the ‘facts and complexities of the specific case’.
EC to set up 'core committee' to identify shortcomings during recently-held assembly polls
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the committee will also look into the need to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework to allow the commission to more effectively ensure compliance of guidelines and directions, including COVID-19 norms.
Only one complaint in five years to EC on political fund collection-against TRS: Govt to Parliament
The Centre has cited a 2017 complaint against the TRS for allegedly collecting large sums of money from individuals, institutions, and associations ‘in return of undue favour’. The issue reached ECI and was referred by it in 2019 to the CBDT for examination and ‘necessary action’, the Centre told Parliament.
Plea seeks de-recognition of YSR Congress Party: HC seeks ECI reply
The court also said there was no urgency in the matter as the YSR Congress Party, the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh, was registered with the ECI in 2011 and the Anna YSR has moved the high court only now. It also noted that the Anna YSR's representation to ECI on the same issue was only made on June 30 and was pending consideration before the commission.
Indian EVMs cause furore in Botswana
Diamond-rich Botswana is seeing heated political debates over using EVMs imported from India. The Election Commission is facing questions on credibility of EVMs.
HC agrees to hear plea against pre-poll freebies
The plea alleged that promise and distribution of freebies amounts to "corrupt practise" and nowadays all political parties are adopting these type of tactics for winning elections.
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