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The EC said that it continued to receive complaints after it first issued notice on April 25 on the alleged MCC violations, noting that the star campaigners continued to make provocative statements.

EC warns BJP, Congress: stop star campaigners from making divisive speeches 

The EC said that it continued to receive complaints after it first issued notice on April 25 on the alleged MCC violations, noting that the star campaigners did not stop making provocative statements.

The EC said that it continued to receive complaints after it first issued notice on April 25 on the alleged MCC violations, noting that the star campaigners did not stop making provocative statements.

The Election Commission has issued a stern warning to the BJP and Congress, ordering them to rein in their star campaigners from making statements that can cause tension between different castes and communities.
In separate letters to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP chief JP Nadda on May 22, the poll panel ordered BJP star campaigners to refrain from making remarks "along religious or communal lines" and Congress star campaigners to not spread the &ldquo;false impression that the Constitution may be abolished&rdquo;.
While the EC did not name Modi, Rahul or Kharge, it asked the party presidents for their &ldquo;comments&rdquo; on the alleged MCC violations by their &ldquo;star campaigners&rdquo;.
The letter comes almost a month after the poll panel issued notices to Nadda and Kharge over alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct by their star campaigners.
The poll panel also raised concerns over a significant drop in the quality of campaigning by the star campaigners from both parties.
Referring to the BJP, the ECI noted that the "party currently in power" holds an extra responsibility during election times. The poll panel also pointed out that this does not, however, grant unlimited leeway to the opposition either.
The EC said that it continued to receive complaints after it first issued notice on April 25 on the alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct, noting that the star campaigners continued to make provocative statements.
It asked Nadda and Kharge to &ldquo;remain dutiful towards special responsibility of star campaigners and issue formal notes to them to maintain decorum in their utterances&rdquo;, reported Indian Express.
Both were reminded of the MCC provision against aggravating existing differences or creating &ldquo;mutual hatred&rdquo; between castes and communities.
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The EC said that "indiscriminate disclosure" and public posting of votes polled in a polling station is not provided in the statutory framework and could lead to mischief. 

'Will cause chaos': EC to SC on disclosing booth-wise voter turnout data 

The EC said that "indiscriminate disclosure" and public posting of votes polled in a polling station is not provided in the statutory framework and could lead to mischief.&nbsp;

The Election Commission on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that disclosure of polling station-wise voter turnout data will cause chaos in the election machinery which is already in motion for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The EC also dismissed as false and misleading the allegation that the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections saw an increase of "5-6 per cent" in the voter turnout data released on the day of polling and in the subsequent press releases for each of the two phases.
The poll panel said that "indiscriminate disclosure" and public posting of Form 17C - which gives the number of votes polled in a polling station - is not provided in the statutory framework and could lead to mischief and vitiation of the entire electoral space as it increases the possibility of the images being morphed.
The Election Commission stated this in an affidavit filed in response to a plea of an NGO seeking a direction to the poll panel to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of the conclusion of polling for each phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
"It is submitted that if the reliefs sought by the petitioner is allowed, it will not only be in teeth of the aforesaid legal position but will also cause chaos in the election machinery which is already in motion for the ongoing General Elections to the Lok Sabha, 2024," the poll panel said in its 225-page affidavit.
It said the petitioner NGO &lsquo;Association of Democratic Reforms&rsquo; has failed to mention a single instance where candidates or voters had filed an election petition on the basis of the allegations raised by the petitioner with respect to the Lok Sabha election in 2019.
"This indicates that the allegation of discrepancies in voter turnout data made by the petitioner in the main petition as well as the present application is misleading, false and based on mere suspicion," it said.
The EC added that the legal regime with regard to Form 17C is peculiar in that while it authorises the polling agent at the close of the poll to get a copy of Form 17C, a general disclosure of the nature as sought by the petitioner is not provided in the statutory framework.
"It is submitted that a wholesome disclosure of Form 17C is amenable to mischief and vitiation of the entire electoral space.
"At the moment, the original Form 17C is only available in the Strong Room and a copy only with the polling agents whose signature it bears. Therefore, there is a one-to-one relationship between each Form 17C and its possessor," it said.
The poll panel added that "indiscriminate disclosure" and public posting on the website increases the possibility of the images being morphed, including the counting results which then can create widespread public discomfort and mistrust in the entire electoral process.
The poll panel said, "Further, it is submitted that the Petitioner has specifically relied on the voter turnout data published by the answering respondent with respect to the first two phases of the ongoing General Elections to the Lok Sabha, 2024 and has alleged that there was an increase of ~5-6% in the voter turnout data released on the day of polling and in the subsequent press releases for each of the two phases.
"In this regard, it is submitted that the aforesaid allegation is misleading and is unsubstantiated." It added that the Rules do not permit the giving of a copy of Form 17C to any other entity.
"The contention of the petitioner creates a situation where any member of the public or the elector at the Polling Station can demand a copy of Form 17C on the argument that it partakes into a character of a public document," it said.
On May 17, the top court had sought a response within a week from the Election Commission on a plea by an NGO seeking a direction to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of the conclusion of polling for each phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
The ADR had filed an interim application in its 2019 PIL seeking directions to the poll panel that "scanned legible copies of Form 17C Part-I (Account of Votes Recorded)" of all polling stations be uploaded immediately after the polls.
It said the plea was filed to ensure that the democratic process is not subverted by electoral irregularities.
"The voter turnout data for the first two phases of the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections published by ECI on April 30 has been published after 11 days of the first phase of polling... on April 19 and four days after the second phase of polling... on April 26.
"The data, as published by the ECI in its press release dated April 30, 2024, shows a sharp increase (by about 5-6 per cent) as compared to the initial percentages announced by ECI as of 7 pm on the day of polling," the plea claimed.
The petition said the "inordinate" delay in the release of the final voter turnout data, coupled with the unusually high revision has raised concerns and public suspicion regarding the correctness of the said data.
The non-release of the absolute number of votes polled coupled with the "unreasonable delay" in the release of votes polled data has led to apprehensions in the mind of the electorate about the sharp increase between initial data and data released on April 30, it said.&nbsp;

In a letter to opposition leaders, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wondered whether the delay in releasing voter turnout data was an attempt to doctor the final results.

EC slams Kharge's 'attempt to push biased narrative' on voter turnout data

In a letter to opposition leaders, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wondered whether the delay in releasing voter turnout data was an attempt to doctor the final results.

The Election Commission on Friday took strong exception to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's letter to opposition leaders over voter turnout data, terming it an attempt to "push a biased narrative" under the guise of seeking clarifications.
In a five-page response with annexures, the poll panel rejected charges of mismanagement and delay in the release of voter turnout data and termed Kharge's allegations "unwarranted", "without facts" and "reflective of a biased and deliberate attempt to spread confusion".
The commission condemned Kharge's statement in which he wondered whether the delay in releasing voter turnout data was an "attempt to doctor the final results".
The poll panel said it found Kharge's letter, placed in the public domain in the middle of the ongoing electoral process, "highly undesirable" and designed to create confusion, misdirection and impediment to the conduct of smooth, free and fair elections.
"Through innuendos and insinuations, the contents of the post, tend to create disharmony in respect of the delicate space of election management, can plant doubts in the minds of voters and political parties and potentially created an anarchic situation, when you said 'could this be an attempt to doctor the final results?' which this Commission hopes you do not have any intention of," the EC said.&nbsp;

The poll panel points out that an FIR has already been registered against the objectionable post. However, the BJP did not take down the video despite the EC order.

EC asks X to take down BJP Karnataka's Muslim quota post targeting Congress

The poll panel points out that an FIR has already been registered against the objectionable post. However, the BJP did not take down the video despite the EC order.

The Election Commission on Tuesday ordered social media platform X to take down a post by the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) targeting Congress for alleged appeasement of Muslims.
The poll panel wrote to X, asking that the 'objectionable' post be taken down 'immediately' as it 'violates' the Model Code of Conduct enforced in view of the Lok Sabha elections.
The post featured an animated video depicting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with the caption "beware&hellip; beware&hellip; beware..!&rdquo; in Kannada. The animation depicts Rahul Gandhi placing an egg labelled as &ldquo;Muslims&rdquo; within a nest with three smaller eggs, labelled &ldquo;SC&rdquo;, &ldquo;ST&rdquo; and &ldquo;OBC&rdquo;. After the eggs hatch, the character feeds the &ldquo;Muslim&rdquo; chick with &ldquo;funds&rdquo;. The chick then grows and kicks out the SC, ST and OBC chicks out of the nest. The animation then shows Rahul and a Siddaramiah snickering.
The letter points out that a first information report (FIR) was already registered in the matter. However, the BJP did not remove the post despite an earlier order by the state chief electoral officer.
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee had moved the EC accusing the BJP of attempting to "provoke rioting and promote enmity" through the post.
Bengaluru Police filed an FIR against BJP president J P Nadda, the party's IT cell head Amit Malviya and Karnataka unit chief B Y Vijayendra.&nbsp;
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The EC has sought responses from presidents of both parties, JP Nadda and Mallikarjun Kharge, by 11 am on April 29.

EC takes note of alleged poll code violations by PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi

The EC has sought responses from presidents of both parties, JP Nadda and Mallikarjun Kharge, by 11 am on April 29.

The Election Commission of India has taken note of alleged model code violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The two leaders are facing allegations of causing hatred and divide based on religion, caste, community or language.
The EC has sought responses from presidents of both parties, JP Nadda and Mallikarjun Kharge, by 11 am on April 29.
The EC said campaign speeches by those holding high positions are of more serious consequences.

The tour would fall within the 48-hour silence period when campaigning is barred, and would violate the Model Code of Conduct.

Election Commission tells Bengal Governor not to visit Cooch Behar

The tour would fall within the 48-hour silence period when campaigning is barred, and would violate the Model Code of Conduct. 

The tour would fall within the 48-hour silence period when campaigning is barred, and would violate the Model Code of Conduct.

Taking a tough stance, the Election Commission has advised the West Bengal governor to call off his proposed tour of Cooch Behar on the eve of the Lok Sabha polls' first phase as it was violative of the Model Code of Conduct, sources said on Wednesday.
Polling is scheduled in Cooch Behar on April 19 and the 48-hour silence period when campaigning is barred begins on Wednesday evening.
Having come to know of the proposed tour of West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on April 18 and 19 to Cooch Behar, where polling is scheduled on April 19 and silence period is starting from this evening, the Election Commission (EC) has advised that the proposed tour may not be undertaken, the sources said.
Under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), no local event can be organised for the governor as proposed in his issued programme, the EC noted in its communication to the office of the governor.
The commission has also noted that the entire district administration and police force will be occupied in election management during April 18 and 19.
The visit of the governor would be a diversion for them from time-bound poll-related work as they will have to provide protocol and local security cover to the "unexpected" proposed visit "without an imminently known requirement".
According to Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act 1951, the "silence period" for Cooch Behar starts from 6 pm April 17, which brings in a multitude of restrictions and a higher level of enforcements by election authorities, the sources said.
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The EC has issued standing instructions to all district election officers and district police chiefs to ensure that all high-profile persons, campaigners and political workers, who are not voters of that election area, exit immediately on beginning of the "silence period" to ensure a free and fair poll process, the sources observed.

This is the first campaign ban imposed by the poll body in this Lok Sabha election cycle.

EC bans Congress' Surjewala from campaigning for 48 hours over remarks on Hema Malini

This is the first campaign ban imposed by the poll body in this Lok Sabha election cycle. 

This is the first campaign ban imposed by the poll body in this Lok Sabha election cycle.

The Election Commission on Tuesday reprimanded Congress leader Randeep Surjewala over his alleged derogatory remarks against BJP MP Hema Malini and barred him from campaigning for 48 hours.
This is the first campaign ban imposed by the poll body in this Lok Sabha election cycle.
The Election Commission had last Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to Surjewala for his alleged "undignified, uncivilised and vulgar" remarks against Malini.
In his reply to the show-cause notice, the Congress general secretary had maintained that the video cited by the BJP was "doctored".
The EC rejected his claim and said the district returning officer of Kaithal had noted that the Congress leader had made the remarks on March 31 at Faral village under the Pundri assembly segment and the entire speech was videographed by the video surveillance team.
The poll watchdog told him that it was convinced that he had made the said statement and thus violated provisions of the model code of conduct.
"The commission without prejudice to any order/notice issued or to be issued subsequently to him in the matter relating to MCC violations, hereby, strongly condemns the impugned statement made by him during the election campaign held in Haryana and reprimands Randeep Surjewala for the misconduct," the order said.
Using its constitutional powers under Article 324, EC barred Surjewala from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from 6 pm on April 16.
In its notice to Surjewala, the EC had said that on careful examination, the comments were found to be "highly undignified, vulgar and uncivilised" and to be prima facie violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the poll panel's advisory issued to parties last month.
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The move comes amid preparations for the seven-phase general elections that begin on April 19.

Centre accords Z-category VIP security cover to CEC Rajiv Kumar

The move comes amid preparations for the seven-phase general elections that begin on April 19.

The Union government has provided Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar with a Z-category VIP security cover of armed commandos in view of potential threats, official sources said on Tuesday.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has entrusted the Central Reserve Police Force with providing a contingent of about 40-45 personnel for the task, the sources said.
A threat perception report prepared by central security agencies had recommended a strong cover for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kumar. The move comes amid preparations for the seven-phase general elections that begin on April 19.
The armed commandos will accompany the CEC during his travels across the country, the sources said.
Kumar is a retired IAS officer of the 1984 batch. He took charge as the 25th CEC on May 15, 2022.
He had been appointed as an election commissioner in the poll body on September 1, 2020.&nbsp;
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The TMC has alleged that the central probe agencies have been targeting opposition parties at the behest of the BJP-led Centre.

TMC leaders detained over protest against central agencies before EC

The TMC has alleged that the central probe agencies have been targeting opposition parties at the behest of the BJP-led Centre.

Several Trinamool Congress leaders were detained after they started a 24-hour protest outside the Election Commission office in Delhi on April 8.
The party is demanding that the chiefs of CBI, NIA, ED and Income Tax Department be changed.
A delegation of the TMC leaders, including Derek O'Brien, Dola Sen, Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghose met a full bench of the Election Commission over their demands.
The TMC has alleged that the central probe agencies have been targeting opposition parties at the behest of the BJP-led Centre.
"The BJP is misusing central agencies against us. The way NIA, ED and CBI are working and targeting TMC leaders is shameful. We would request the EC to ensure a level playing field for all political parties," Sen told reporters at the Kolkata airport before leaving for New Delhi.
The TMC alleged on Sunday an "unholy alliance" between the NIA and the BJP ahead of elections, prompting the central investigating agency to deny any mala fide intention and label the entire controversy as "unfortunate".
A team of the NIA was allegedly attacked by a mob on Saturday when it went to arrest two main suspects in a 2022 blast case in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district, sparking a political slugfest with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the investigators of assaulting the villagers.

The Election Commission released a video with popular IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Star players like Dinesh Karthik were featured.

Election Commission joins IPL craze, RCB stars urge voters to poll

The Election Commission released a video with popular IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Star players like Dinesh Karthik were featured.

The IPL fever has reached the Election Commission of India, with star cricketers from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise urging people to vote. Players like Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat and Rajat Patidar used cricket terminology to dig into India&rsquo;s election season.
The second half of the IPL 2024 schedule remained unreleased for a while as organisers waited for the Election Commission to announce dates for the Lok Sabha polls.
Other players featured in the collaboration video included Mahipal Lomror, Rajan Kumar, Suyash Prabhudessai, Yash Dayal, Himanshu Sharma, Swapnil Singh and Manoj Bhandage. RCB heavyweights like Virat Kohli, Faf Du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell were absent.
The Election Commission announced the dates for the Lok Sabha polls in March. The 7-phase polls will begin on April 19 and end on June 1, 2024. The results will be announced on June 4.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, the 74-game tournament is scheduled to end on May 26, days before the election&rsquo;s final phase starts.
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Earlier, the SBI had submitted one list that had the names of the bond buyer with the date and another the list with names of the receipient political party. 

EC uploads data on electoral bonds submitted by SBI

EC uploads data on electoral bonds submitted by SBI
SBI submitted unique number of electoral bonds
SBI submitted data after SC order

Earlier, the SBI had submitted one list that had the names of the bond buyer with the date and another the list with names of the receipient political party.&nbsp;

The Election Commission of India uploaded the complete details of electoral bonds submitted by the SBI on Thursday.&nbsp;
The SBI provided information such as alphanumeric numbers which are unique to each bond purchased. It also provided information about the issue code of the bank branch and the pay code of the bank branch.
Earlier, the SBI had submitted one list that had the names of the bond buyer with the date and another list with names of the recipient political party. The unique bond numbers will help match the two lists.&nbsp;
The State Bank of India was the only bank authorised to sell and redeem the bonds, which were first issued in March 2018 and were being sold until the scheme was declared null and void by the top court last month.
The Election Commission said it has uploaded the data on electoral bonds on its website as received from SBI on "as is where is basis".
(with PTI inputs)

The SBI had initially issued two separate lists - one with the names of the donors and the other with the name of the political parties who received the funds. 

SBI submits full data on electoral bonds to EC

SBI submits full data on electoral bonds to EC
Unique number of each electoral bond given to EC
SBI submits full data after SC order

SBI submits serial numbers of electoral bonds to EC

The SBI had initially issued two separate lists - one with the names of the donors and the other with the name of the political parties who received the funds.&nbsp;

The State Bank of India told the Supreme Court on Thursday it has provided all details of the electoral bonds in its possession to the Election Commission.
In a compliance affidavit filed in the apex court, the SBI chairman said the complete bank account numbers and KYC details of the political parties have not being made public "as it may compromise the security of the account (cyber security)".
"Similarly, KYC details of purchasers are also not being made public for security reasons, apart from the fact that such information is not fed/collated in the system. However, they are not necessary for identifying the political parties," the affidavit filed by bank chairperson Dinesh Kumar Khara said.
The affidavit said the SBI has revealed information which will show the name of the purchaser of the bond, its denomination and specific number, the name of the party that encashed it, the last four digits of the bank account number of political parties that redeemed the bond and the denomination and unique number of the bond encashed.
"On March 21, 2024, the State Bank of India has provided/ disclosed all details of the electoral bonds which are in its possession and custody to the Election Commission of India," it said.
"It is respectfully submitted that SBI has now disclosed all details and that no details (other than complete account numbers &amp; KYC details) have been withheld from disclosure in terms of the directions contained in&hellip; the judgment dated February 15, 2024 read with order dated March 18, 2024 passed by this court," the affidavit said.
On March 18, the apex court had told the SBI to stop being "selective" and make "complete disclosure" of all details related to the electoral bonds scheme by March 21.
The top court had said the details to be disclosed must include the unique bond numbers that would match the buyers with the recipient political parties.
In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge constitution bench had scrapped the Centre's controversial electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it "unconstitutional", and ordered disclosure by the EC of the donors, amount donated by them and the recipients by March 13.
Ordering the closure of the scheme, the top court directed the SBI, the authorised financial institution under the scheme, to submit by March 6 the details of the electoral bonds purchased since April 12, 2019 till date to the Election Commission.

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, Centre argued that the independence of the Election Commission does not arise from the presence of a judicial member on the committee.

Centre defends dropping CJI from EC selection panel at Supreme Court

 In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, Centre argued that the independence of the Election Commission does not arise from the presence of a judicial member on the committee. 

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, Centre argued that the independence of the Election Commission does not arise from the presence of a judicial member on the committee.

The Centre on Wednesday defended in the Supreme Court the appointment of two new election commissioners (ECs) under a 2023 law that excludes the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee, saying the independence of the Election Commission does not arise from the presence of a judicial member on the committee.
In an affidavit filed in the apex court, the Union Law Ministry rejected the petitioner's claim that the two election commissioners were hastily appointed on March 14 to "pre-empt" the orders of the top court the next day, when the matters challenging the 2023 law were listed for hearing on interim relief.
The affidavit has been filed in response to a batch of pleas, including those by Congress leader Jaya Thakur and the Association for Democratic Reforms, challenging the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023.
"It is submitted that the case of the petitioners is premised on one fundamental fallacy that the independence can only be maintained in any authority when the selection committee is of a particular formulation. It must be noted that the independence of the Election commission, or any other organisation or authority, does not arise from and is not attributable to the presence of a judicial member in the selection committee," the affidavit said.
Refuting the petitioners' claim that no list of probable appointees was shared with the opposition, the Centre submitted that the names of short-listed persons were made available to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on March 13, 2024, after the Search Committee had finalised six names for recommendation.
"It is, therefore, wholly wrong, misleading and malicious to suggest that the third member of the Selection Committee was given the shortlisted names as an act of premeditation on the mind of the two members of the Executive as all the members received the list simultaneously. Furthermore, the list of dates clearly brings out the fact that profiles of all eligible persons were shared with the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Saba on March 13, 2024.
"It may be noted that the persons finally appointed were from the list so shared. This belies the claim of the petitioners that no list was shared in advance of the meeting," the affidavit said.
The Centre contended that a political controversy has been sought to be created only on the basis of "bare, unsupported and pernicious" statements about certain vague and unspecified motives behind the appointment.
It said the credentials of those finally appointed as election commissioners have at no point been called into question and no objection whatsoever has been raised about the fitness, eligibility or competence of any of the persons named in the list to serve as election commissioner.
"Where no question has been raised about the qualifications of candidates to hold a constitutional post nor has any material been brought on record to show that the candidates are unfit for office, no prima facie case can be said to have been made out. On that ground alone, the application for stay ought to be dismissed," the affidavit said.
Arguing that the the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023 is a significant improvement in the appointment process of election commissioners, the Centre said it provides for a more democratic, collaborative, and inclusive exercise.
The affidavit refuted the petitioners' claims of executive overreach and encroachment on the Election Commission's autonomy.
"To indicate, as the petitioners suggest, that selection committees without judicial members, would invariably be biased is wholly incorrect. It is submitted that such an argument would read an implied limitation into the otherwise plenary power of Article 324(2), which is impermissible.
"The election commissioners have been able to function neutrally and effectively even during the era of full executive discretion in appointment. As a high constitutional office, the chief election commissioner enjoys protection that are in-built into the Constitution, and which enable them to act impartially," it said, adding that the allegations of disingenuous motive and premeditation on the part of the government are wholly without basis.
The apex court had on Friday refused to stay the appointment of new election commissioners (ECs) under the 2023 law.
The two vacancies had arisen after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey on February 14 and sudden resignation of Arun Goel. Retired IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu were appointed in their place.
Under the new law, the selection panel has the prime minister as the chairperson, and the leader of opposition and a Union minister nominated by the prime minister are the two other members.
A five-judge constitution bench had in March 2023 ruled that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) shall be appointed on the advice of a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.&nbsp;

EC directed all state and union territory governments to "immediately remove all unauthorised political advertisements and ensure full compliance of its instructions".

EC wants all unauthorised political advertisements removed

EC directed all state and union territory governments to "immediately remove all unauthorised political advertisements and ensure full compliance of its instructions".

Cracking the whip, the Election Commission on Wednesday asked state governments to take down all unauthorised political advertisements from government, public and private properties and send a compliance report in the next 24 hours.
In a letter to the Union Cabinet Secretary and chief secretaries of all states and union territories, the EC said that despite its letter issued on March 16 when the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections came into force, it has received complaints that such defacements have not been removed.
The Congress had recently raised the issue with the poll panel.
"All unauthorised political advertisements, in the form of wall writings, posters, papers or defacement in any other form, cutouts, hoardings, banner flags were ordered to be removed in a time bound manner from public spaces like railway stations, bus stands, airports, railway bridges, roadways, government buses, electric/telephone poles, municipal/local bodies' building and a strict compliance in this was to be ensured," it reminded the governments.
The Commission said it has taken a "serious note" of the non-compliance or partial-compliance of its instructions.
It directed all state and union territory governments to "immediately remove all unauthorised political advertisements and ensure full compliance of its instructions".
It sought a compliance report in this regard by 5 pm on Thursday.&nbsp;

The poll panel named Sanjay Mukherjee as the new DGP 24 hours after appointing Vivek Saha as the West Bengal's top cop.

Election Commission removes Vivek Sahay, directs WB govt to appoint Sanjay Mukherjee as DGP

The poll panel named Sanjay Mukherjee as the new DGP 24 hours after appointing Vivek Saha as the West Bengal's top cop.

The Election Commission on 19th March directed the West Bengal government to appoint Sanjay Mukherjee as the new Director General of Police, less than 24 hours after it named Sahay as the top cop.
Sahay's appointment was based on his seniority, but since he is scheduled to superannuate in the final week of May before the Lok Sabha elections conclude, the poll panel named Mukherjee as the DGP, a senior official told PTI news agency.&nbsp;
Mukherjee, a 1989-batch IPS officer, was the second person on the list of the three officers recommended by the West Bengal government for the post of DGP to the EC.
The poll panel directed the state to ensure immediate compliance and confirm the appointment by 5 pm on Tuesday.
(With PTI inputs)

Since the terms of the Arunachal and Sikkim assemblies are ending on June 2, the Election Commission decided to change the date of counting from June 4 to June 2.   

Election Commission changes vote counting date of Sikkim and Arunachal assembly polls

Since the terms of Arunachal and Sikkim assemblies are ending on June 2, the Election Commission decided to change the date of counting from June 4 to June 2.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Election Commission on Sunday announced that it has advanced the counting date for Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim assembly elections to June 2.
Previously, the votes for Sikkim and Arunachal were supposed to be counted on June 4, along with poll votes of Lok Sabha and two other state assembly elections.
The poll body said that the dates have been advanced due to the term of the two assemblies ending on June 2.
"There shall be no change in respect of schedule for Parliamentary constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim," it noted.
Assembly polls are also being held in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha along with parliamentary elections.

The Election Commission of India has announced the dates for the Lok Sabha elections

Lok Sabha elections to be held in 7 phases, counting on June 04

The Election Commission of India has announced the dates for the Lok Sabha elections

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections will held in 7 phases, the Election Commission announced on March 16.&nbsp;
The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 16 and a new House has to be constituted before that.
&nbsp;In a press briefing, Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar said that the first phase of elections will be held in 21 states, and the polling will begin on April 19. The election for the second phase will take place on April 26. The third phase is on May 7, the fourth phase is on May 13, the fifth phase is on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25 and the seventh phase on June 1. Besides, by-elections for 26 constituencies will take simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections. The results will be announced on June 4.
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Last time the Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10 and held in seven phases beginning April 11. Votes were counted on May 23.
Nearly 97 crore people are eligible to cast vote in the upcoming polls at over 12 lakh polling stations.
In the last parliamentary polls, the BJP had won 303 seats while the Congress got 52 seats. It could not muster enough numbers to claim the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Vacancies in the Election Commission was filled by the Prime Minister Modi-led selection panel after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey and the sudden resignation of Arun Goel.

Supreme Court refuses to stay EC appointments

Vacancies in the Election Commission was filled by the Prime Minister Modi-led selection panel after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey and the sudden resignation of Arun Goel.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the appointment of two new Election Commissioners by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led panel.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Dipankar Datta, and Augustine George Masih refused to intervene in the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, whose names were finalised yesterday. The vacancies had come up in the Election Commission (EC) after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey, and the sudden resignation of Arun Goel.
The petitions filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur, the Association for Democratic Reforms, and others, challenged the constitutionality of various provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.
The Act facilitates appointments to the top poll body by a panel consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
The petitions question the government's majority on the selection panel and seek the inclusion of the Chief Justice of India in the appointment process.
The Supreme Court adjourned the matter for March 21.
Also watch:<a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/electoral-bonds-sc-asks-sbi-to-submit-bond-numbers-to-ec-1710480154802">SC asks SBI to submit electoral bond numbers linking donors to political parties</a>

The Election Commission has tweeted that it will be announcing the dates for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday

EC to announce Lok Sabha election dates tomorrow

EC to announce Lok Sabha election dates tomorrow
EC to address a press conference at 3pm tomorrow
EC will also announce dates for state polls

The Election Commission has tweeted that it will be announcing the dates for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday

The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at 3pm on March 16. The poll panel will also announce dates for assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha.&nbsp;

The SBI has submitted 2 separate lists to the poll panel - one with the names of the donors and another with the names of political parties

SC asks SBI to submit electoral bond numbers linking donors to political parties

Electoral bonds: SC asks SBI to submit bond numbers to EC
SC asks SBI to submit all bond related details by March 16
EC published electoral bond data given by SBI on March 14

The SBI has submitted 2 separate lists to the poll panel - one with the names of the donors and another with the names of political parties

The Supreme Court has asked the State Bank of India to submit 'complete data' on the electoral bonds issued from 2019 to 2024. The top court asked SBI to also give the electoral bond numbers to the Election Commission along with the data on donors and recipients.&nbsp;
The SBI has submitted 2 separate lists to the poll panel - one with the names of the donors and another with the names of political parties. The electoral bond numbers will help match the buyer of each bond with its recipients.&nbsp;

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