Page 3 - Election Commission

Poll neutrality at risk if EC relies on contestants: Justice Nagarathna

Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna, while highlighting that the Election Commission is the primary institution entrusted with maintaining the integrity of polls, has said if those who conduct elections are dependent on those who contest them, the neutrality of the process cannot be assured. The apex court judge raised a critical concern regarding the structural independence of those tasked with overseeing the ballot while delivering the Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture at the Chanakya Law University in Patna on Saturday. Citing a 1995 verdict where the Supreme Court recognised the Election Commission as a constitutional authority of high significance, entrusted with ensuring the integrity of elections, she said, "The concern, once again, was structural: if those who conduct elections are dependent on those who contest them, the neutrality of the process cannot be assured." Justice Nagarathna said elections are not merely periodic events but a mechanism through which politica

EC suspends four Kolkata cops over lapses at Adhikari's nomination filing

The Election Commission on Saturday directed the suspension of four Kolkata Police officials and initiation of disciplinary proceedings against them for "failing" to maintain law and order during BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's nomination filing in the hotly contested Bhabaniour seat. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had accompanied Adhikari for the filing of the nomination papers on April 2 in the seat in south Kolkata, where the leader of the opposition in the outgoing Assembly is pitted against incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In a communique to the West Bengal chief secretary, the poll panel said the direction is based on a recommendation from state Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal. The missive directed action against Kolkata Police's Deputy Commissioner (DC-II), South Division, Siddhartha Dutta, Officer-in-Charge of Alipore Police Station Priyankar Chakraborty, Additional OC Chandi Charan Banerjee, and Sergeant Saurabh Chatterjee. "The commission has agreed to t

No ads by political parties in media on Apr 8, 9 without MCMC clearance: EC

The Election Commission has directed all political parties and candidates contesting in the Kerala Assembly polls on April 9, not to publish any advertisements in print media, on polling day and its eve, without getting the contents pre-certified by the MCMC committee. The directive, issued by Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar late Friday night, stated that offending, misleading, or inflammatory advertisements published in print media during the final stages of an election can vitiate the entire electoral process. "At such a critical juncture, affected parties and candidates often lack the opportunity to provide necessary rebuttals," it said. Therefore, exercising the powers under Article 324 of the Constitution, the EC directed that no political party, candidate, organisation, or person shall publish any advertisement in print media on April 8 and 9 unless the contents are got pre-certified from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) at the state or ..

TMC seeks removal of Bhabanipur poll official over links with BJP's Suvendu

The TMC sought the immediate removal of the returning officer for the Bhabanipur assembly constituency in West Bengal, alleging he has proximity with BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari. In a representation submitted to Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Friday, the ruling party raised objections to the appointment of RO for the Bhabanipur seat in southern Kolkata. The party alleged that the returning officer has a "documented and close association" with Adhikari, who is contesting from Bhabanipur against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari is also in the electoral fray from Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district. According to the complaint, the RO had earlier served as block development officer in Nandigram-II, where his proximity to Adhikari was allegedly visible in public engagements. The TMC claimed that such an association creates a "reasonable apprehension of bias" and "compromises the neutrality" required for conducting elections. The party also questioned the R

EC to continue deployment of 500 CAPF companies in Bengal post elections

Amid law and order concerns in poll-going West Bengal, the Election Commission on Friday decided to continue deployment of 500 companies of central forces in the state even after counting of votes on May 4. The state goes to assembly polls in two phases on May 23 and 29. "During the last assembly elections, there was post-poll violence. The decision is also based on past incidents," an official explained. One company comprises 90 to 125 personnel. Additionally, 200 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will be retained in the state for security arrangements of electronic voting machines (EVMs), strong room and counting centres. These companies will remain deployed till the completion of counting in the state, the EC said. Separately, the poll authority had on Thursday handed over the probe into the gherao of judicial officers adjudicating cases of Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal's Malda to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A spokesperson of the poll ..

Bengal: EC publishes 8th supplementary list, 5.2 million cases disposed of

The EC published the eighth supplementary list and said it has disposed of around 52 lakh cases under adjudication in West Bengal, expressing hope that the process would be completed within the next few days in line with directions of the Calcutta High Court. Verification and disposal of about 52 lakh cases, which were under adjudication, have been completed till Thursday evening. Work for the remaining nearly 8 lakh applicants is in progress and is expected to be completed within the next four days, an EC official said. Officials expressed confidence that, if the current pace is maintained, the entire adjudication process will be completed by April 7. Over 60 lakh names were under scrutiny after the final draft electoral rolls were published. The adjudication is being carried out by judicial officers in compliance with the Supreme Court directions. The exercise assumes significance as the first phase of elections in the state is scheduled for April 23, while the last date for fil

Cash, liquor, narcotics worth over ₹274 cr seized in Bengal ahead of polls

Police have seized cash, liquor, narcotics and other items worth over Rs 274 crore in West Bengal, as part of intensified enforcement measures ahead of the assembly elections, officials said on Wednesday. The cumulative value of seizures since February 26 stands at Rs 274.12 crore, reflecting heightened vigilance across the state, a statement issued by the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said. "Cumulative seizures of cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals, and other freebies have been executed to curb illegal inducements/misuse of money power in elections," it said. The seizures include cash worth Rs 6.56 crore, liquor valued at Rs 43.37 crore, and drugs and narcotics amounting to Rs 58.13 crore. In addition, precious metals worth Rs 25.46 crore and freebies valued at Rs 140.58 crore have also been confiscated, it said. As part of broader security measures, authorities have also seized illegal arms and explosives, with 151 weapons recovered, the release .

EC actions risk disenfranchisement of voters in Bengal: Mamata to CEC

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the poll panel's actions under the SIR exercise risk disenfranchisement of genuine voters in Bengal. In her three-page letter, she also alleged that the actions of the Election Commission were undermining the democratic and fundamental rights of the people. "The decisions being taken by the Election Commission of India appear to be undermining the democratic and fundamental rights of the people," Banerjee said. She said, "This is not the standard expected of a constitutional authority." Banerjee urged the commission to ensure "free and fair elections" and uphold constitutional principles. The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases - on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.

Two EC officials relieved of poll duties over BJP seal issue in Kerala

Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar on Saturday sent the Deputy CEO and a section officer back to their parent departments over an EC document sent to political parties that bore a BJP seal. The decision was taken following an inquiry into the incident conducted by Additional CEO P B Nooh, IAS, a statement from EC said. Based on the inquiry report, the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer and the section officer were relieved of their election-related duties and sent back to their parent departments, the statement added. The controversy surfaced after the CPI(M) flagged the issue on the social media platform 'X', sharing an affidavit attached to a March 19, 2019, letter sent to political parties that bore the BJP Kerala seal instead of the Election Commission's official seal. The EC had termed it a "purely clerical error" and said it had been rectified immediately. It also said that the official responsible for the error had been placed under suspension.

40% of 3.2 million adjudicated names deleted from Bengal rolls: EC official

A top EC official in Kolkata said on Wednesday that nearly 40 per cent of the 32 lakh names adjudicated so far have been deleted from the electoral rolls of West Bengal. Converting into real figures, the number of removed electors under adjudication currently stands at 13 lakh. With some 63 lakh names struck off the rolls earlier during the SIR exercise in the state, the total number of deleted voters rose to nearly 76 lakh, the official confirmed. The poll panel had released the first supplementary list of 'Under Adjudication' voters on Monday, but remained tight-lipped on the number of deletions or the precise figure of cases disposed of in that list, drawing criticism from various quarters. A total of 58 lakh names were deleted following the enumeration phase of the SIR exercise, slashing the state's eligible electors from the initial 7.66 crore to 7.08 crore on grounds of death, migration, duplication and untraceability. The post-SIR rolls published on February 28 further brou

EC convenes inter-state border meeting with officials of poll-bound states

Seeking to strengthen electoral preparedness, the Election Commission on Tuesday convened an inter-state border meeting with top administration and police officials of five poll-going and their neighbouring states. The poll authority also met with Multi-Departmental Committee on Election Intelligence (MDCEI), to enhance coordination, curb illegal activities, and ensure smooth, secure, violence-free and inducement-free elections across poll-bound states. The Election Commission had recently reactivated its economic intelligence panel after a gap of six years to curb the use of money, liquor and drugs to influence voters ahead of the Bihar polls. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will go for assembly polls next month. West Bengal and Assam also share international borders with Bangladesh.

West Bengal's 1st supplementary voter list likely on March 23: EC official

The first supplementary voter list in West Bengal is likely to be published on March 23, an Election Commission official said on Friday. The scheduled release on March 19 was deferred at the last moment as the process was not yet completed. The official said preparations are underway to display the updated voter list across nearly 80,000 polling booths in the state once it is finalised by next Monday. The publication of the supplementary list assumes significance as it is likely to include the names of voters whose applications were marked as "under adjudication" after the final electoral roll was published on February 28. According to the poll official, over 60 lakh names were initially marked as "under adjudication", of which more than 27 lakh cases have been disposed of till Friday afternoon. The delay in publication triggered political reactions, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that eligible voters were being harassed due to the delay. The EC official attached to

CJI Surya Kant recuses from hearing pleas against EC appointments law

Chief Justice steps aside citing potential conflict as Bench to be reconstituted to hear challenges to 2023 law on Election Commissioner appointments

ECI orders prior approval for political ads ahead of Assembly elections

The Election Commission has directed political parties and candidates to seek pre-approval for ads across TV and digital platforms amid concerns over misinformation and AI misuse in campaigns

Omar Abdullah alleges 'gerrymandering', backs TMC win in Bengal polls

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the efforts of the Election Commission to "gerrymander" will not change the results in West Bengal Assembly elections, expressing confidence that Trinamool Congress will emerge victorious. "No amount of effort by the Election Commission to gerrymander will change the results. Come counting day Mamata Didi will win a thumping majority," Abdullah posted on his personal X handle. Commenting on the large-scale transfers ordered by the Election Commission in the poll-bound state, Abdullah said these things happen only in the states where the BJP is not in power. "These sweeping transfers only happen in non-BJP ruled states & especially in West Bengal but that's no surprise. However, West Bengal will once again prove what I have always believed to be true - officers don't win elections for political parties, the leaders of political parties do," he added. After announcing the schedule for the Assembly polls, the EC has ...

Mamata calls officials' transfers 'highest order of political interference'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed alarm over the "arbitrary removal of more than 50 senior officials" in the poll-bound state, terming it a "political interference of the highest order". Continuing with her tirade against the Election Commission, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo claimed that such action amounted to "systematic politicisation of institutions" and a "direct assault on the Constitution". After announcing the schedule for the assembly polls, the Election Commission has ordered several reshuffles of senior officers, including the transfer of Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty, Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena, and the removal of DGP Peeyush Pandey and Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar. On Wednesday, the poll body ordered a fresh reshuffle of senior officers, posting two secretaries to other poll-bound states as observers, and deploying 13 IAS and five IPS officers in key poll management roles. Slamming the poll body, ...

EC seeks report from Kolkata police on attack at TMC minister's house

The Election Commission (EC) has sought a detailed report from the Kolkata Police on the alleged attack on senior Trinamool Congress leader and state minister Shashi Panja's residence here ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally last week, a senior official said. The initial report submitted by the city police was found to be incomplete, lacking crucial details about the incident. "The earlier report did not contain a full account of the sequence of events and key inputs. A comprehensive report has now been sought," an EC official said on Wednesday. The commission has asked for clarity on the timeline of the incident, the role of the police, and the intelligence inputs available prior to the incident in north Kolkata's Girish Park area, he said. Questions were also being raised over the utilisation of central forces deployed in the state. "It is being examined why, despite the presence of central forces, they were not actively engaged, and why the local police handled the ..

EC transfers 19 senior police officers in Bengal ahead of assembly polls

The Election Commission on Tuesday ordered the transfer of 19 senior police officers, including the ADGs for North and South Bengal, in another reshuffle ahead of the assembly elections in the state. IPS officer Rajesh Kumar Singh was appointed the new ADG of South Bengal, while K Jayaraman was named the ADG of North Bengal. Both belonged to the 1997 batch, according to a statement. New commissioners of police were appointed for Asansol-Durgapur, Howrah, Barrackpore and Chandannagar. Superintendents of 12 districts were also changed in the latest reshuffle. The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases, on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.

Several district election officers of poll-going Assam likely to be changed

With the Election Commission on Monday writing to the Assam chief secretary to furnish names of all IAS officers from 2010 to 2021 batches, several district election officers (DEOs) in the poll-bound state are likely to be changed. The state has 35 districts. A DEO is a senior administrative official, typically the district magistrate or collector, appointed by the Election Commission. Officials said the poll authority is not happy with the performance of various DEOs and wants to appoint new officials. Assam will face assembly polls on April 9 in a single phase. Votes will be counted on May 4.

EC removes chief secretary, home secretary in poll-bound West Bengal

Barely hours after the announcement of the West Bengal assembly poll schedule, the Election Commission removed two of the top bureaucrats, including Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty, of the Mamata Banerjee administration. The commission appointed Dushyant Nariala, an IAS officer of the 1993 batch, as the state's chief secretary, and said Chakravorty would be kept out of poll-related assignments. The poll panel also removed West Bengal's Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena. In a letter to the state government sent on Sunday night, the poll panel also directed the appointment of Sanghamitra Ghosh, a 1997-batch IAS officer, as principal secretary, Home and Hill Affairs. "...the officers transferred out shall not be posted in any election-related posts till the completion of elections," the communication, signed by commission secretary Sujeet Kr Mishra, said. The EC said the decision to remove the two officers was taken following a review of the poll preparedness of the state. The