 "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
EC says permanent resident certificate is valid document under SIR 2026
The Commission has directed that these instructions be brought to the notice of all concerned officers for strict compliance
 "EC says permanent resident certificate is valid document under SIR 2026")
West Bengal CEO asks ECI to extend SIR electoral roll hearings by 7 days
West Bengal CEO requests ECI to extend Special Intensive Revision hearings by a week as some districts face delays in verification and data uploading
 "West Bengal CEO asks ECI to extend SIR electoral roll hearings by 7 days")
SIR in Telangana expected to be announced during April-May, says CEO
The CEO also urged political parties to appoint at least one BLA for every polling station ahead of the forthcoming SIR of electoral rolls
 "SIR in Telangana expected to be announced during April-May, says CEO")
West Bengal govt moves resolution in assembly over 'hardships' due to SIR
Speaker Biman Banerjee, however, rejected the proposal, contending that since the matter was pending before the apex court, the assembly could not deliberate on it
 "West Bengal govt moves resolution in assembly over 'hardships' due to SIR")
SC agrees to hear PIL against poll freebies promises by political parties
The petitioner has urged SC to declare that promising or distributing private goods or services from public funds before elections, without public purpose, violates constitutional provisions
 "SC agrees to hear PIL against poll freebies promises by political parties")
SIR not for inclusion of voters but deletion: Mamata Banerjee before SC
West Bengal Chief Minister alleges voter exclusion and selective enforcement as Supreme Court seeks Election Commission's response on SIR process
Jharkhand to hold civic polls in 48 urban local bodies on Feb 23: SEC
ULB polls in Jharkhand are not contested on the electoral symbols of the political parties, but candidates are backed by the outfits
 "Jharkhand to hold civic polls in 48 urban local bodies on Feb 23: SEC")
EC facing pressure, need to protect its independence: Kharge on Voters' Day
In a post on X on National Voters' Day, Kharge said this day is a powerful reminder that a nation's future belongs to its people, and that our collective voice can shape our shared destiny
 "EC facing pressure, need to protect its independence: Kharge on Voters' Day")
EC uploads names on logical discrepancies list after Supreme Court's order
The district electoral officers will now download the list and display it on panchayat bhavans and block offices as directed by the court
SIR voter roll revision to be rolled out in remaining states soon: CEC
This exercise has been successfully completed in Bihar, and a 'special revision' of electoral rolls is separately underway in Assam, Kumar said
 "SIR voter roll revision to be rolled out in remaining states soon: CEC")
SIR in Bengal done in haste, may hurt democratic participation: Amartya Sen
He stressed that such an exercise must be conducted with care and adequate time, conditions he believes are "missing" in Bengal's case
 "SIR in Bengal done in haste, may hurt democratic participation: Amartya Sen")
India, Namibia sign MoU on election management on sidelines of IICDEM 2026
The MoU was signed by Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia Elsie T Nghikembua, at IICDEM 2026 in Delhi
 "India, Namibia sign MoU on election management on sidelines of IICDEM 2026")
SC says ECI must follow constitutional limits in voter roll revision
Chief Justice Surya Kant then raised concerns about transparency, noting that revisions under Section 21(3) could have serious civil consequences for voters
 "SC says ECI must follow constitutional limits in voter roll revision")
AIBOC flags security lapses, seeks curbs on bank officers' election duties
AIBOC has urged the ECI and DFS to curb election-related deployment of PSU bank officers in West Bengal, citing security lapses, discrimination and disruption to core banking work
 "AIBOC flags security lapses, seeks curbs on bank officers' election duties")
Goa SIR: EC clarifies notice to ex-Navy chief over missing details
The ECI had asked Prakash, who has been settled in Goa since his retirement, to attend a meeting to establish his identity as part of the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls
SC asks EC to respond to TMC MPs' pleas on Bengal voter roll revision
The CJI-led bench granted one week to the poll panel to file a common reply to the pleas of the two TMC lawmakers. It then listed the plea for hearing on January 19
SIR in MP: Voter list update reunites man with mother after 22 years
Gairi, now 45, had left for the neighbouring state about 22 years ago and started working as a peon in a private school there
 "SIR in MP: Voter list update reunites man with mother after 22 years")
Election Commission directs micro-observers to report lapses during SIR
In an advisory, the poll body said micro-observers must function independently and objectively during the exercise, with strict adherence to transparency, accuracy and neutrality
EC appoints four additional special roll observers for SIR in Bengal
Those named as SROs were Ratan Biswas, Vikas Singh, Sandeep Rewaji Rathod and Dr Shailesh, according to a notification
SIR aimed at voter exclusion, not correction: Mamata writes to CEC
In her letter, Banerjee accused the Election Commission of political bias and high-handedness during the exercise
 "SIR aimed at voter exclusion, not correction: Mamata writes to CEC")