 "What is Election Commission of India (ECI)?")
Election Commission of India
What is Election Commission of India (ECI)?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous and permanent constitutional body responsible for organising free and fair elections in the Union and States of India. The Constitution grants the ECI with the power of direction, superintendence, and control of elections to Parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India. The ECI does not deal with the elections to the urban bodies such as Municipalities and Panchayats in the states and hence, a separate State Election Commission.
Powers and responsibilities
The Commission’s functions and powers with respect to elections are divided into
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Latest Updates on Election Commission of India
Delhi voter list revision exercise to begin from June 30: Officials
The Election Commission earlier in the day announced the rollout of SIR in 16 states and three Union territories, including Delhi, in a phased manner beginning May 30
 "Delhi voter list revision exercise to begin from June 30: Officials")
SC says free and fair polls need an independent Election Commission
The law replaces the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet Minister on the three-member Selection Committee
 "SC says free and fair polls need an independent Election Commission")
Bigger the theft, bigger the reward: Rahul slams Centre on WB appointments
Congress has claimed that the appointments reflected the 'brazen collusion and connivance' between the Election Commission and the BJP
 "Bigger the theft, bigger the reward: Rahul slams Centre on WB appointments")
BJD demands rejection of disputed votes cast during March 16 RS elections
The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD alleged grave statutory violations in the Odisha Rajya Sabha elections and sought an independent probe into the issuance of second ballot papers
 "BJD demands rejection of disputed votes cast during March 16 RS elections")
Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal appointed chief secretary by Adhikari-led BJP govt
Agarwal came into political focus during the Assembly elections after overseeing the Election Commission-mandated Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
 "Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal appointed chief secretary by Adhikari-led BJP govt")
Subrata Gupta, EC's special observer for SIR, appointed Bengal CM's advisor
The new BJP government also appointed IAS officer Shantanu Bala as the chief minister's private secretary, according to another notification
 "Subrata Gupta, EC's special observer for SIR, appointed Bengal CM's advisor")
Abhishek questions Bengal's poll process credibility, accuses EC of bias
In his first social media post after the declaration of results, Banerjee said the TMC would continue to be a "strong, vocal and uncompromising opposition" both in West Bengal and at the Centre
 "Abhishek questions Bengal's poll process credibility, accuses EC of bias")
SC asks: Can Court direct Parl to include CJI in EC appointments panel
Anoop Baranwal case stated CJI's presence was operational until enactment of new law: SC
 "SC asks: Can Court direct Parl to include CJI in EC appointments panel")
WB CEO meets Governor to hand over gazette notification of Assembly polls
Agarwal said the Election Commission's role in the Assembly elections is over except for the completion of the pending poll process in Falta constituency
 "WB CEO meets Governor to hand over gazette notification of Assembly polls")
CEC orders immediate arrest of those involved in post-poll violence in WB
The Election Commission's directive came after two persons were killed in alleged incidents of post-poll violence in the state on Tuesday, besides scores of party offices being ransacked
 "CEC orders immediate arrest of those involved in post-poll violence in WB")
No victory rallies allowed today after announcement of results: Bengal CEO
He said the counting is going fine and no violence has been reported in the state
 "No victory rallies allowed today after announcement of results: Bengal CEO")
EC orders repoll in 285 booths in Bengal's Falta on May 21; counting May 24
The Commission's decision effectively annuls the earlier voting in the constituency, with fresh polling now scheduled later this month
 "EC orders repoll in 285 booths in Bengal's Falta on May 21; counting May 24")
West Bengal repolls: Nearly 72% voter turnout till 3 pm in 15 booths
Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, the official said, adding that till 3 pm, the turnout was 72.43 per cent
 "West Bengal repolls: Nearly 72% voter turnout till 3 pm in 15 booths")
'SC asked ECI to implement circular, didn't dismiss TMC plea': Kapil Sibal
In the Supreme Court, we decided not to challenge the circular, instead urged the court to implement the circular, said Kapil Sibal while addressing a press conference
 "'SC asked ECI to implement circular, didn't dismiss TMC plea': Kapil Sibal")
'No further order needed': SC on TMC plea against EC order on vote counting
A special bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said the Election Commission (EC) can choose counting personnel and its April 13 circular cannot be said to be incorrect
 "'No further order needed': SC on TMC plea against EC order on vote counting")
TMC alleges unauthorised sorting of postal ballot covers, files complaint
TMC workers alleged that eight trunks of postal ballots were brought in at 4 am and were taken to a room, which has no CCTV coverage
 "TMC alleges unauthorised sorting of postal ballot covers, files complaint")
WB polls: Voting underway at 15 booths in South 24 Parganas after EC order
The repoll order was based on reports received from returning officers and observers of the two constituencies and 'material circumstances', the Election Commission official said
 "WB polls: Voting underway at 15 booths in South 24 Parganas after EC order")
EC orders repolling in 15 polling booths in West Bengal on Saturday
EC orders repoll in 15 booths in West Bengal after complaints, marking the first such move in the ongoing multi-state assembly elections
 "EC orders repolling in 15 polling booths in West Bengal on Saturday")
No scope for wrongdoing at counting centres: West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal
Stating that round-the-clock CCTV monitoring of the strong rooms is underway, CEO Manoj Agarwal said people can watch the monitors from outside
Calcutta HC rejects plea against EC order on central staff for vote count
Dismissing petition, HC held that there was no illegality in the EC's decision to appoint counting supervisors and assistants from central government or PSU employees
 "Calcutta HC rejects plea against EC order on central staff for vote count")