Electoral Reforms

The delimitation dilemma: Democratic status may see further slide in India

There are no easy solutions to the conundrum. The US system favours small Alaska over Texas. The former has a fraction of Texas's population, but both have the same number of Senators

SC seeks Centre, EC's reply on biometric voter verification plea

The Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and ECI on a plea for biometric and facial voter verification, noting legal changes and costs would be required

How 9 states and UTs have fared after SIR culling: A reading of key figures

Final electoral rolls show sharp voter deletions across states, with Gujarat seeing the biggest cut and Kerala the lowest after the Special Intensive Revision

Special campaign conducted in Uttar Pradesh for SIR of electoral rolls

A special campaign was organised on Saturday at all polling stations across the state as part of the Special Intensive Revision programme 2026 for the electoral rolls of the Assembly constituencies, according to a statement. Under this campaign, eligible citizens, especially women and youth, were encouraged to fill out Form-6 along with a declaration form to include their names in the voter list. Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, Navdeep Rinwa, visited polling stations in Lucknow district, and officers from the Chief Electoral Officer's office, Divisional Commissioners, District Election Officers, Deputy District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers, and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers monitored the process through on-site visits to polling stations in their respective districts, a statement said. The Chief Electoral Officer stated that during the inspection, it was ensured that the BLOs were present at the booths at the designated time and were clearly

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

Nearly 9.5 million voters missing from draft rolls in three states, one UT

Nearly 95 lakh electors in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar did not find their names in the draft electoral rolls published Tuesday. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, out of 3.10 lakh electors, 64,000 electors did not figure in the draft rolls. Similarly in Kerala, names of 24.08 lakh of the over 2.78 crore electors were removed from the draft. In Chhattisgarh, out of 2.12 crore electors, names of as many as 27.34 lakh were removed. In the case of Madhya Pradesh, out of 5.74 crore, 42.74 lakh electors were removed from draft rolls. The final rolls will be issued on February 14 next year. Those removed from draft rolls can still apply for inclusion and elector registration officers will take a final decision.

Modi sounds poll bugle in Bengal, Assam; flags illegal immigration

PM hits out at TMC & Congress over the illegal immigrant issue; Opposition accuses him of neglecting other concerns in both states

Urban Bengal sees biggest voter deletions in EC's SIR draft rolls

The data revealed that 2.46 million voters, or 3.15 per cent, were identified as deceased, while 3.26 million were found to have shifted residence or were absent

ECI to release SIR draft rolls today: Here's how to check your name

India's voter rolls are undergoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to remove duplicate, fake, or ineligible names, including those of deceased or shifted voters

Elections 2025: Big wins for BJP, allies across board, opposition decimated

The NDA tightened its political grip in 2025, winning decisively in Delhi and sweeping Bihar, marking a year of clear consolidation for the alliance

Election Commission extends timeline for SIR in 5 states and 1 UT

The decision came after several extension requests were received from the Chief Electoral Officers

Amit Shah defends SIR, asks if illegal immigrants should vote in India

During a debate on election reforms, Home Minister Amit Shah said the Election Commission has the full mandate to conduct SIR under Article 326 of the Constitution

Supreme Court questions inclusion of CAA applicants in electoral rolls

Supreme Court says citizenship must be granted before applicants can be added to electoral rolls, declining to fix timelines for pending CAA applications

Vote chori anti-national act, EC colluding with BJP: Rahul Gandhi

BJP defends EVMs, cites Rajiv Gandhi's pilot project, accuses Opposition of double standards

Supreme Court warns of 'anarchy' as BLOs face threats during SIR process

The Supreme Court voiced concern over booth-level officers being threatened during the SIR of electoral rolls and asked the Election Commission to flag any non-cooperation by states

StatsGuru: Half the nation's electoral power hinges on the SIR exercise

India's voter base continues to expand, with 12 states adding 160 million electors since 2004 as the Election Commission prepares to release fresh SIR data on December 16

Govt open to talks on electoral reforms as Opposition pushes for SIR

On a tense opening day of the Winter Session, the government said it was willing to discuss electoral reforms and SIR after Opposition-led disruptions

Bengal: BLOs press for compensation, accuse EC of ignoring work pressure

Members of a BLO rights platform with Trinamool Congress leanings on Saturday staged a protest outside the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) here, demanding compensation for colleagues who allegedly fell ill or died during electoral roll-related duties and seeking planned scheduling of future assignments. During a demonstration that coincided with the arrival of a special team of the Election Commission (EC) in the city, protesters alleged they were denied a meeting with the visiting officials despite waiting for hours. The agitation, organised under the banner of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee, brought along family members of a Murshidabad-based block-level officer who was admitted to a hospital after suffering a stroke, allegedly due to severe work pressure. The group accused the poll panel of "ignoring genuine grievances". The BLOs' platform raised two key demands compensation for families of workers who allegedly suffered severe health complications or died while ..

West Bengal SIR: Mamata Banerjee writes to EC, seeks immediate intervention

The Chief Minister expressed serious concerns about the ongoing SIR, citing inadequate planning, insufficient training, and unrealistic timelines that are "compromising the process's credibility"

Phase-2 of SIR: Over 37 crore enumeration forms distributed so far

More than 37 crore or 72.66 per cent of enumeration forms have been distributed to electors in 12 states and Union territories so far as part of the Special Intensive Revision exercise being undertaken by the Election Commission. The ambitious voters list clean-up exercise in nine states and three UTs will cover nearly 51 crore electors. In a bulletin issued on Wednesday, the poll authority said that for more than 7.66 crore electors in West Bengal, 6.80 crore or 88.8 per cent of enumeration forms have so far been distributed. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the 12 states and UTs is being held between November and February next year. The states and UTs are: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal will go to polls in 2026. In Assam, where elections are also due in 2026, the ..