Page 55 - Election Commission Of India

Karnataka elections 2023: 13 of 25 contesting BJP ministers trailing

Senior leaders like B Sreeramulu, V Somanna and Murugesh Nirani fall behind

Karnataka election results 2023: When, where, and how to check results

The exit polls suggest a fragmented mandate that may result in a hung assembly, giving JDS the edge it hopes to enjoy

Decoded: The facial recognition pilot for Karnataka Assembly elections 2023

For the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will introduce facial recognition technology at a polling booth in Bengaluru. Watch the video for the details

BJP moves EC, seeks derecogonition of Cong over K'taka sovereignty remark

The BJP on Monday moved the Election Commission seeking action against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and derecognition of her party for her use of the term "sovereignty" for Karnataka during the state poll campaign. A BJP delegation headed by Union minister Bhupender Yadav submitted a memorandum to the poll watchdog over the issue. "Karnataka is a very important member state in the Union of India and any call to protect the sovereignty of a member state of the Union of India amounts to a call for secession and is fraught with perilous and pernicious consequences," the party said. Speaking to reporters, party leader Tarun Chugh cited the Representation of the People Act and said the Congress party should be derecognised. The BJP also submitted a copy of the Congress tweet quoting Gandhi on the issue. The opposition party had tweeted, "CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji sends a strong message to 6.5 crore Kannadigas: 'The Congress will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka

K'taka polls: ECI issues advisory to parties to get clearance for print ads

ECI on Sunday also held all major local newspapers in the state responsible for all matters including advertisements published in their newspapers

Karnataka poll machinery to be vigilant against influencing voters: EC

The Election Commission has directed its chief electoral officer in poll-going Karnataka to ensure constant monitoring of ground situation and strengthen vigil over various social media platforms for prompt action against attempts to bribe or intimidate candidates and voters, sources said on Saturday. The Commission's directive came after an audio clip was circulated on social media about an alleged attempt by BJP candidate from Chamarajanagar, V Somana, to influence Mallikarjuna Swamy alias Alur Mallu of JD (S) to withdraw candidature by offering money and a government vehicle, sources said. An FIR has been filed in the matter under Section 171E and 171 F of IPC in Town Police Station, Chamarajanagar, they said. These sections deal with punishment for bribery and undue influence. Ahead of the May 10 polls for which campaigning levels have gone up, the Commission has directed the CEO of Karnataka to ensure constant monitoring of ground situation and strengthen vigil over social med

Conviction rate in election-related offences high in Karnataka: EC official

The Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka Manoj Kumar Meena has said that there were over 50 per cent convictions in the cases related to the model code of conduct (MCC) violations in the state. He said the Election Commission (EC) closely follows the MCC violation cases, which made this happen. "Karnataka is one the states where the highest convictions have happened. Last time, 2,000-odd cases were booked. All were charge-sheeted, all were tried and I think more than 50 per cent conviction we have done in Karnataka," Meena told PTI in an interview. According to an EC official, these convictions pertain to the elections that have taken place from 2013 to 2019. Explaining further, Meena said, "Decisions have happened in all the cases but in more than 50 per cent cases, the convictions were in our favour. It is a big number. I don't know about other states but it is very rare that in election-related cases convictions are happening." Stating that Karnataka has done better, compared

NGO moves SC against appointment of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner

NGO Association for Democratic Reforms has moved the Supreme Court against Arun Goel's appointment as Election Commissioner claiming it is arbitrary, and violative of institutional integrity and independence of the poll body. The NGO has sought the constitution of a "neutral and independent committee" for the appointment of members of the Election Commission. The plea alleged that the Union government and the ECI have through their acts of "omissions and commission" participated in a carefully orchestrated "selection procedure" for their own benefits. "The writ petition is being filed in public interest challenging the appointment of Sh. Arun Goel as Election Commissioner vide notification dated November 19, 2022, on the ground that the appointment is arbitrary and violative of institutional integrity and independence of Election Commission Of India...," the plea said. The top court on March 2 had ruled that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and ECs will be done by

Decide in 10 days on AIADMK bye-laws: Delhi High Court tells ECI

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to decide within 10 days a representation by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to update in its record the party's amended bye-laws. The order was passed by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav on a petition filed by the AIADMK and its interim general secretary Thiru K Palaniswamy, which claimed that the records of the party were not being updated owing to certain internal disputes pending in the party. Lawyer Sidhant Kumar, appearing on behalf of the ECI, said the representation made by the petitioner on the issue was being actively considered and a final decision would be taken within 10 days. "In view of the stand by the ECI, the court deems it appropriate to dispose of the petition with a direction to the ECI to decide the representation of the petitioner within 10 days," ordered the judge. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the petitioner, urged that the representation be .

Karnataka elections: Election Commission to set ball rolling on April 13

The poll process for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections will be formally set in motion on Thursday with the gazette notification. According to the Election Commission's (EC) schedule of events, the last date of making nominations is April 20. The papers will be scrutinised on April 21 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is April 24. Of the total 224 constituencies, 36 seats have been reserved for Scheduled Castes and 15 for Scheduled Tribes. The counting of votes is on May 13. The state has 5.24 crore voters and 58,282 polling stations. Karnataka will largely witness a triangular fight between the ruling BJP, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular). The BJP announced its first list of candidates in 189 constituencies on Tuesday. The Congress has already declared 165 candidates and said it would support Karnataka Sarvodaya Party's Darshan Puttannaiah in Melukote segment. The JD(S) has named 93 candidates.

AAP's challenges and contradictions as it gets a national party tag

Education and health aside, AAP will now have to address issues on which it has not voiced an opinion so far

Bypolls to 1 Lok Sabha, 4 assembly seats on May 10: Election commission

Bypolls to one Lok Sabha and four assembly seats across four states will be held on May 10 along with the Karnataka assembly polls, the Election Commission announced on Wednesday. The counting of votes will take place on May 13, it said. The Jalandhar parliamentary constituency fell vacant following the death of Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary, 76, in January this year following a heart attack while taking part in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The poll panel also announced a bypoll to the Jharsuguda assembly seat in Odisha which was necessitated by the death of Naba Kisore Das, who was shot dead by a police officer in January this year. Bypoll to the Suar assembly seat in Uttar Pradesh was necessitated following the disqualification upon conviction of Samajwadi Party MLA Abdullah Azam Khan. He was convicted in a 2008 case relating to a 'dharna' on a highway and sentenced to two years in jail. He is son of SP veteran Mohd Azam Khan, who also stands disqualified in another case. Chhan

Election Commission says looking into AAP's national status issue

The Election Commission on Wednesday said it is looking into the issue of according the national status to the Aam Aadmi Party. "It is under review... We will soon come back to you," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar told a press conference here when asked about the issue. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party's electoral performances last year paved the way for it to be recognised by the Election Commission as a national party. To earn a national party status, a political outfit needs to be recognised as state party in four states and have at least two members in the respective legislative assemblies, according to the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) order,1968. And in order become eligible to be recognised as the state party, a political outfit has to win two seats and secures a minimum six per cent votes in the state. There are other criteria also to earn the national party status. The AAP has been recognised as a state party Delhi, Punjab, Goa and Gujarat. The AAP

After Covid-induced break, EC restarts review of recognised party status

After the Covid-19 pandemic stopped it, the Election Commission has restarted the process of reviewing the recognised status of political parties based on their performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and has given individual hearings to NCP and CPI, two of the eight recognised national parties. The commission has also heard six recognised state parties based on paras 6A, B and C of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The paragraphs deal with criteria for parties to get national or state party status. After the 2019 parliamentary polls, the EC had issued notices to TMC, CPI and NCP, asking why their status should not be downgraded based on the outcome of the general election. However, the process could not move forward due to the pandemic. In November last year, the poll panel revived the process. On Tuesday, it heard the response of the Nationalist Congress Party and the CPI. EC sources said TMC was also called. "It is a routine exercise. We gave a written

Election Commission's full bench to visit Assam for delimitation exercise

Prior to the delimitation exercise of constituencies in Assam, the full bench of the Election Commission of India will meet and hold discussion with various stakeholders, including political parties and civil society. According to an official release on Saturday, the full bench of the Election Commission, comprising Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar and two Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel, will be visiting Assam from March 26 to 28 to hold talks with various sections. "The Commission has decided to visit Assam for knowing the ground reality and expectations of the stakeholders and general public on the ongoing delimitation exercise in the state," it added. The Election Commission of India has been entrusted for the delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies of Assam. "During this period, the Commission will interact with political parties, public representatives, civil societies, social organizations and state administration ...

Significant rise in number of EVM's ballot units, control units since 2014

The total number of control units and ballot units has increased significantly since 2014. Control Units and Ballot units are constituents of electronic voting machines (EVM)

Govt bats for simultaneous polls; cites savings for public exchequer

The government on Friday batted for holding simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, saying it would result in huge saving to the public exchequer, as it listed out "imperatives" such as amending the Constitution and bringing all political parties on board before carrying out the gigantic exercise. In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said a parliamentary panel had examined the issue of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in consultation with various stakeholders, including the Election Commission. The Committee made certain recommendations in this regard. "The matter now stands referred to the Law Commission for further examination to work out a practicable road map and framework for simultaneous elections ...," Rijiju said. Simultaneous elections, he noted, would result in huge savings to the public exchequer and avoid replication of effort on part of administrative and law and order machinery in holding ...

EC proposal for overseas voters to use e-postal ballot under talks with MEA

An Election Commission proposal to facilitate electronically-transmitted postal ballot system for overseas Indian voters is under discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs to "iron out" logistical challenges involved in its implementation, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday. In a written reply, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju also said the total number of overseas electors as on January 1 this year stands at over 1.15 lakh. "The Election Commission of India has taken up a proposal to amend the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 to facilitate electronically-transmitted postal ballot system for overseas electors. The matter is under discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs to iron out the logistical challenges involved in the implementation of the proposal," Rijiju said. According to the EC website, as of now an overseas voter is not issued a photo identity card they are allowed to vote in person at the polling station by producing their original passport. The EC has ...

ECI chief Rajiv Kumar says it gives 'Agnipariksha' in every election

Election Commission of India (ECI) gives 'Agnipariskha' every election despite having conducted 400 Assembly elections, 17 general elections, and 16 Presidential and Vice Presidential polls

BS Views of the week: Women, Election Commission, G20 agenda, and more

Business Standard's opinion pages this week focused on women, Election Commission, G20 agenda, and much more