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.
The party also raised demands for a police probe and criminal proceedings against the NCW chief for misusing her chair and for being one of the main conspirators in the Sandeshkhali matter.
The election commission of Sri Lanka on Thursday announced that it will hold the presidential election between September 17 and October 16.
The Election Commission on Wednesday said 695 candidates are in the fray for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls, scheduled to be held on May 20.
The Election Commission has already banned BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao for two days for making derogatory comments against the Congress.
Voting for the first phase was held on 19th April and second phase on 26th April.
