Heavy security, long queues and missing Trinamool booth agents defined the opening hours of Falta repolling ordered by the Election Commission after alleged poll irregularities.
Over 1.13 lakh names have been deleted from Jammu and Kashmir’s Panchayat electoral rolls while 3.39 lakh new voters were added during the latest revision exercise, pushing the total electorate past 72.24 lakh ahead of the upcoming panchayat polls.
The Supreme Court on Thursday termed it “very unfortunate” that political parties demand an independent Election Commission when in opposition, but turn silent on the issue or take a completely contrary stand once in power, even as the court was told that free and fair elections — a part of the basic structure of the Constitution — necessarily presuppose an independent and impartial Election Commission.
After losing ground in key constituencies, Mamata Banerjee accused authorities of unfair practices, questioned the election outcome’s legitimacy, and signalled a political fight ahead for her party.
ECI enforces strict counting rules in Bengal, stopping Abhishek Banerjee at a Kolkata centre while issuing directions over mobile phone violations during Bhabanipur vote counting.
This ban extends to all content that could promote or prejudice any party or candidate, including opinions or appeals by panelists or participants, and the publication or display of opinion polls.
The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday alleged violation of model code conduct by a Cabinet minister and sought the intervention of Election Commission and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha for free and fair election of the Nuapada by-election.
S Chokkalingam, Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer, also asked them to submit a report by next week, after which a copy of this report will be given to opposition party leaders in the state.
In a brief hearing, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi remarked that the poll body is aware of its statutory responsibility to disclose details of additions and deletions made to the voters’ list.
Following the ECI’s strict guidelines, District Election Officers (DEOs) from all 18 districts participating in Phase-I conducted the randomization process after completing the First Level Checking (FLC) of the EVMs and VVPATs.
