PANCHAYAT POLLS
Leh sit-in enters 2nd day; Sonam Wangchuk alleges house arrest; protesters plan hunger strike
Protests organized by Apex Body Leh are ongoing, led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Despite a ban on protests, many have participated, showing their determination. Additionally, a hunger strike is set to commence to press for dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Parents of four civilians killed in September 2025 are still seeking justice and public disclosure of the judicial panel report.
Leh protesters seek statehood, safeguards; Wangchuk removed from site, asked to stay at home
Protests led by the Apex Body Leh resumed in Leh on Thursday, with demonstrators pressing for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. Authorities removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site and directed him to stay home. The Kargil Democratic Alliance has extended support to the agitation and called for a candle march in Kargil on Saturday.
Defer Ladakh civic polls: MP Mohmad Haneefa in letter to Amit Shah
In a significant move, Ladakh's Lok Sabha member Mohmad Haneefa has requested Union home minister Amit Shah to postpone the upcoming Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections due to winter challenges and potential low voter turnout. The plea highlights concerns over democratic participation in the region amidst ongoing tensions and calls for protests from local groups.
Elections authorities ban dharnas, protests in Leh, Kargil ahead of polls
The Chief Electoral Officer issued an order prohibiting political dharnas and protests in Leh and Kargil. This order is effective until the local municipal elections conclude. The measure aims to maintain a peaceful electoral process during upcoming elections scheduled for November 11 and December 4. Political parties and candidates are instructed to comply with the Model Code of Conduct strictly.
Ladakh announces December 4 council polls amid shutdown
Ladakh's State Election Commission has announced December 4 as the polling date for all eight LAHDCs, with counting scheduled for December 8. The announcement comes amid protests and shutdowns in Kargil and Sankoo, with the Apex Body Leh opposing winter elections and demanding a review of the delimitation exercise.
'Those frustrated at progress deserve to be called dimagi Naxals': Dharmendra Pradhan
BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan has urged citizens to reject individuals undermining national progress, calling them 'dimagi naxals'. He met with JDU president Nitish Kumar and national working president Sanjay Jha during his visit to Bihar. Pradhan highlighted Prime Minister Modi's concerns regarding the threats to stability and progress facing the nation. Additionally, he extended Chhath greetings to the people of Bihar, emphasizing development matters.
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UP elections: BJP forms team to reach out to UP panchayat representatives ahead of polls
BJP president Nitin Nabin has formed a team led by former Madhya Pradesh BJP chief VD Sharma to reach out to local body representatives in Uttar Pradesh ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. The initiative will cover around 3,050 Zila Panchayat members, 826 Block Pramukhs and 58,000 Gram Panchayats.
Akhilesh Yadav reiterates demand to link voter ID with Aadhaar card
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has demanded linking voter ID cards with Aadhaar and replacing paper or plastic cards with metal ones to prevent duplication and forgery. He also called for fingerprint or iris-based biometric identification, alleging it would prevent vote rigging.
Congress to continue agitation until CEC Gyanesh Kumar is removed, says KC Venugopal
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party would continue its agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar until he was removed and electoral processes made impartial. The Congress plans a nationwide 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' campaign, appointing booth-level guardians to identify deleted voter names and help secure their restoration.
EC gives voters left out of SIR draft rolls ‘one more opportunity’ to re-enrol; restores old EPIC numbers
The Election Commission has offered voters excluded from draft electoral rolls in seven states a fresh opportunity to re-enrol after being marked Absent, Shifted, Dead or Duplicate. Eligible applicants will have their original EPIC numbers restored in final rolls, while election officials have been directed to undertake door-to-door outreach.
Andhra Pradesh: Polling begins for ZPTC, MPTC elections amid tight security
Polling for the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency elections commenced at 7 am in Andhra Pradesh. Security measures were implemented in both NTR and Anakapalli districts to ensure safe voting. A total of 16 ZPTC seats and 276 MPTC seats were contested in NTR district. Eligible voters were informed to carry identity documents to the polling stations.
Andhra Pradesh municipal election results 2026 live updates: TDP alliance leads in eight Andhra civic bodies, Ashutosh Ranka alleges booth capturing
AP municipal elections results: Vote counting for Andhra Pradesh's municipal elections is underway in 92 urban local bodies, surrounded by strict security protocols. The TDP-led coalition is reportedly gaining momentum in eight municipalities, whereas the YSR Congress Party has not won any municipal corporations thus far. Electoral malpractice allegations have emerged, particularly regarding booth capturing, as pointed out by CJP's Ashutosh Ranka.
Andhra Pradesh: TDP leads in 8 GVMC wards as counting begins at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam
Counting of votes for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation elections commenced at Andhra University early in the morning. The Telugu Desam Party received 53 votes, while the YSR Congress Party secured 29 votes during the initial count. Counting began with postal ballots and was completed for four wards by 8:30 AM. Transparent arrangements and security measures were implemented to ensure accurate counting throughout the process.
MLC results don't reflect govt's performance, Congress will introspect: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge
Priyank Kharge from the Congress stated that the party would introspect following their losses in Karnataka Legislative Council seats. The JD(S) won the Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency and BJP retained three other constituencies. Kharge asserted that the elections did not reflect the government's performance and emphasized the need for organizational strengthening. He also mentioned concerns over electoral roll irregularities and called for transparency in elections.
Congress goes into soul-searching mode as NDA sweeps all four MLC seats
Congress faced a setback in the Legislative Council elections as the BJP and JD(S) won all four seats. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar acknowledged the loss, promising a review of the party's strategy. The defeats are seen as a warning signal ahead of upcoming city corporation elections and the 2028 assembly polls. Senior BJP officials attributed their success to voters' dissatisfaction with Congress's unfulfilled promises.
BJP vs TDP: Dispute over 21 villages — claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh; BJD, Congress join battle
While Odisha claims that these villages are part of Pottangi block in Odisha’s Koraput district, Andhra Pradesh asserts that these villages fall under Salur block of Parvathipuram Manyam district. Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, former Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders have objected to the Andhra government’s notification.
Karnataka CM Shivakumar asks ministers to gear up for local body polls
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has directed his Cabinet colleagues to prepare for the forthcoming local body elections. The State Election Commission is expected to announce the elections soon, following the revised voters' list release. These elections are significant as they will be the first for Bengaluru's newly formed city corporations. The government is now committed to conducting all pending local body elections across the state.
Andhra Pradesh local polls: YSRCP moves Supreme Court for protection of candidates
In its special leave petition, YSRCP has sought police protection for candidates, an extension of the nomination deadline, and additional or alternative nomination centres. YSRCP has alleged that violence, intimidation and obstruction prevented several candidates from reaching nomination centres.
HD Kumaraswamy emerges as NDA’s combative face in Karnataka ahead of local body polls
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy is intensifying his political campaign against Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in Karnataka. He is leveraging recent controversies, particularly involving Congress leader Siddaramaiah, to gain support. Kumaraswamy's focus on local body elections reflects his intention to strengthen his party's position ahead of the 2028 Assembly polls. The ongoing rivalry between Kumaraswamy and Shivakumar underscores their competition for Vokkaliga community dominance.
UP Panchayat Polls to be held under existing 27% OBC quota: Allahabad HC
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government and the State Election Commission to complete gram panchayat elections within three months, making it clear that the polls will be held under the existing reservation framework, including a 27% quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Allahabad HC sets 3-month deadline for UP panchayat polls
The Allahabad High Court ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to complete the three-tier panchayat election process within three months. Outgoing gram pradhans will continue to serve as administrators until the elections are conducted. Opposition parties have raised concerns about potential delays and the impact on upcoming Assembly elections. The court's decision follows numerous petitions seeking timely elections and proper reservation processes.
When SC expedited counting in Uttarakhand bodies ahead of 2027 assembly elections
Siroli Kalan has transitioned from a revenue village to an urban local body in Uttarakhand. The ruling BJP encountered significant political challenges after recent municipal elections. Despite efforts to weaken Congress, BJP could not gain ground in the Kichha municipality. Local dynamics shifted after Siroli's inclusion, highlighting the intricacies of electoral demographics. Ultimately, Congress retained control in local elections held in 2025.
Rajasthan Panchayat polls in 4 phases; nominations begin Oct 8
Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan will be held in four phases, beginning with nominations on October 8. Voting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members will take place on specific dates in October and November. The election process includes the election of Pradhan, Up-Pradhan, Zila Pramukh, and Up-Zila Pramukh later in November. A total of 3.17 lakh personnel will oversee elections at 45,384 polling stations.
Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge calls all elections illegal; demands dissolution of Lok Sabha, state assemblies
Mallikarjun Kharge has called for the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies due to alleged illegal elections. He claims that current electoral methods undermined democracy and disenfranchised many citizens, especially the poor and minorities. Kharge emphasized the misuse of electronic voting machines and irregularities in the electoral roll process. He announced a series of protests planned to awaken public awareness about these issues.
J&K Assembly session: Opposition to target Omar Abdullah govt over governance, reservation and statehood
The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly kicks off on Monday, with opposition members set to challenge the government's record on various issues. Key topics include job outsourcing, corruption in public services, and concerns over unemployment and the regularization of daily wage workers. In response, the ruling National Conference is preparing strategies to meet the public's demands and concerns.
Samajwadi Party looks to expand base among non-Yadav OBCs and non-Jatav Dalits
The Samajwadi Party is preparing for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. It aims to expand support among non-Yadav OBCs and Dalits, particularly non-Jatavs. The party will release separate manifestos for each district, addressing local concerns. Prominent leaders are attending village meetings to gauge voter sentiment. Booth committees have been expanded to include seventeen members each.
Karnataka Cabinet clears Rs 151 crore for ballot boxes, webcasting of panchayat polls
The Karnataka Cabinet approved funds for ballot boxes and live webcasting for upcoming panchayat elections. This decision signals a move away from electronic voting machines for rural local body polls. The government has amended the Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act to allow for paper ballot voting. Elections to gram, taluk, and zilla panchayats are expected to be held by December.
UP govt steps up outreach to key voter groups ahead of 2027 Assembly polls
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government has announced a series of measures benefiting Panchayat Sahayaks, farmers, ex-servicemen, former Agniveers, ration dealers, lawyers and fishermen ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. The measures include higher honorariums, job-related benefits, concessional loans, reservation, healthcare support and other welfare measures.
Congress sweeps four Jaipur repoll wards, Dotasra hits back at BJP’s ‘massive majority’ claim
Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. He stated that repolling results in Jaipur debunked the BJP's majority claims. Congress swept all four wards where repolling was conducted in Jaipur city. Dotasra accused the BJP government of misusing power and the Election Commission. He asserted that the people's mandate was clear and the BJP's actions were exposed.
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