#election_commission

SIR Draft Roll Out Today: 14.44L Names Hang in Balance in Nagpur More than 14.44 lakh names in Nagpur district will be under scrutiny on Monday as the Election Commission releases the draft electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration phase. This marks the first clear snapshot of the voter list after a large-scale verification process. Nearly one in three registered electors in the district was flagged as “uncollectable” during the enumeration. Out of Nagpur’s 46,38,589 registered voters, 31,94,573 (68.87%) submitted and digitized Enumeration Forms (EFs), while the remaining 14,44,015 (31.13%) fell into various uncollectable categories. Being classified as uncollectable does not automatically result in deletion. Election officials clarified that eligible voters whose names do not appear in the draft will have opportunities to prove their eligibility through subsequent claims, objections, and notice processes. The largest group of uncollectable electors consists of 5,46,149 individuals classified as absent or untraceable, accounting for 11.77% of the district’s electorate. Another 5,30,058 were marked as permanently shifted, while 2,40,305 were reported deceased. The exercise also identified 1,18,012 duplicate voters or those already enrolled elsewhere, along with 9,491 cases in the “other” category. Alongside the draft electoral roll, election authorities will publish a separate ASDD list, covering electors categorized as absent, shifted, deceased, or duplicate, as well as cases with anomalies or discrepancies during verification. Notices will be issued to eligible cases requiring further verification, allowing voters to appear before the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and submit required documents to establish their eligibility.#election_commission #special_intensive_revision #nagpur_district #nagpur_west #electoral_registration_officer

महाराष्ट्र में शिवसेना के दो गुटों के बीच विवाद सुप्रीम कोर्ट में तेज हो गया है। उद्धव ठाकरे गुट ने चुनाव आयोग के फैसले को चुनौती दी है और दलबदल विरोधी कानून, पार्टी संविधान की अवहेलना का आरोप लगाया है। सीनियर एडवोकेट कपिल सिब्बल और देवदत्त कामत ने चुनाव आयोग की प्रक्रिया पर सवाल उठाए और मूल पार्टी संविधान को आधार बनाने की मांग की। महाराष्ट्र में शिवसेना विवाद पर सुप्रीम कोर्ट में सुनवाई तेज हो गई है। चीफ जस्टिस सूर्यकांत, जस्टिस जॉयमाल्य बागची और जस्टिस वी. मोहना की बेंच के सामने उद्धव ठाकरे गुट की ओर से सीनियर एडवोकेट कपिल सिब्बल और सीनियर देवदत्त कामत ने धारदार दलीलें पेश कीं। उद्धव गुट ने एकनाथ शिंदे गुट के दावों को सिरे से खारिज करते हुए चुनाव आयोग के फैसले को मनमाना बताया। साथ ही दलबदल विरोधी कानून, पार्टी के संविधान और संविधान की दसवीं अनुसूची की अवहेलना का आरोप लगाया। सीनियर एडवोकेट कपिल सिब्बल ने पार्टी के मूल संविधान और संगठनात्मक ढांचे का हवाला देते हुए चुनाव आयोग की प्रक्रिया पर सवाल खड़े किए। उन्होंने कहा कि जब दोनों गुटों ने चुनाव आयोग के सामने अलग-अलग संविधान पेश किए, तो आयोग को बंटवारे से पहले जमा किए गए मूल पार्टी संविधान को ही आधार बनाना चाहिए था। 19 जुलाई को संगठन की ओर से समर्थन पत्र सौंपे गए थे। शिंदे गुट ने डिप्टी स्पीकर के सामने ऐसा कोई दस्तावेज पेश नहीं किया था जो ये साबित कर सके कि उन्हें मूल राजनीतिक दल का समर्थन हासिल था। सिब्बल ने आगे बताया कि अजय चौधरी को विधायक दल का नेता नियुक्त करने का प्रस्ताव खुद पार्टी प्रमुख उद्धव ठाकरे की ओर से हस्ताक्षरित था, जिसे सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने सुभाष देसाई मामले में भी स्वीकार किया था। सिब्बल ने कहा कि जिन विधायकों ने बाद में नेतृत्व को चुनौती दी, वो उसी नेतृत्व और चुनाव चिह्न के दम पर जीतकर विधानसभा पहुंचे थे। उन्होंने कहा, 'पहले पार्टी नेतृत्व का फायदा लेना और बाद में ये कहना कि हम आपको नेता नहीं मानते, स्वीकार्य नहीं हो सकता।' सिब्बल ने यह भी कहा कि पार्टी के चुनाव निशान 'धनुष-बाण' पर अधिकार को लेकर अपनी बात रखेंगे। उन्होंने यह भी बताया कि अगर प...#shivsena #supreme_court #election_commission #udhav_thakare #devdatt_kamat

Shiv Sena Faction Challenges Election Commission's Legal Process in Supreme Court Case The Supreme Court on the fifth day of hearings in the Shiv Sena split case heard arguments from the Uddhav faction, represented by senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who accused the Election Commission of violating legal procedures when transferring the party’s name and election symbol to the Shinde faction. Sibal claimed the Commission overstepped its authority by making a decision without following the prescribed legal framework, thereby infringing on the party’s rights. The case centers on the division of the Shiv Sena party following internal conflicts, with the Uddhav faction alleging that the Election Commission’s decision to assign the party’s symbol and name to the Shinde faction was biased and lacked due process. Sibal argued that the Commission’s ruling was arbitrary and discriminatory, as it failed to adhere to the legal guidelines outlined in the Representation of the People Act. He referenced past cases, including the division of the Janata Dal party, to highlight the Commission’s inconsistent application of rules. During the hearing, Chief Justice Suryakant and justices Joyamaly Bagchi and V. Mohana presided over the proceedings. Sibal emphasized that the Election Commission’s decision to label the Uddhav faction as an unregistered political party without prior notice was unconstitutional. He cited a previous ruling by Justice Rohinton Nariman, which addressed similar issues of judicial overreach, to argue that the Commission’s actions violated the principle of natural justice. The court also addressed the implications of the Representation of the People Act’s Section 29A, which governs the registration of political parties.#election_commission #shiv_sena #kapil_sibal #shinde_faction #uddhav_faction

शिवसेना विवाद: सुप्रीम कोर्ट में निर्वाचन आयोग के निर्णय के खिलाफ चल रही सुनवाई में कपिल सिब्बल के आरोप महाराष्ट्र के उप मुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे के नेतृत्व वाले शिवसेना गुट के निर्वाचन आयोग के निर्णय के खिलाफ चल रही सुप्रीम कोर्ट की सुनवाई में वरिष्ठ वकील कपिल सिब्बल ने गंभीर आरोप लगाए हैं। सिब्बल ने दलील दी कि आयोग द्वारा शिंदे के गुट को 'असली शिवसेना' के रूप में मान्यता देना और उसे धनुष-बाण चुनाव चिह्न आवंटित करना अवैध है। उन्होंने तर्क दिया कि शिवसेना के 1999 के संविधान में 'मुख्य नेता' नाम का कोई पद नहीं है, इसलिए शिंदे के नेतृत्व के लिए कोई आधार नहीं है। सुप्रीम कोर्ट में चल रही सुनवाई के दौरान सिब्बल ने आयोग की गाइडलाइंस 2010 के तहत निर्वाचन आयोग के अधिकारों के बारे में सवाल उठाए। उन्होंने कहा कि आयोग केवल एक मध्यस्थ है और यह तय करने का अधिकार नहीं रखता कि किसी पार्टी का संविधान लोकतांत्रिक है या अलोकतांत्रिक। सिब्बल ने तर्क दिया कि यदि एक पार्टी का संविधान अलोकतांत्रिक माना जाता है, तो इसका परिणाम केवल पार्टी की मान्यता रद्द करना हो सकता है, लेकिन इस स्थिति में दूसरे गुट को चुनाव चिह्न आवंटित करना अवैध है। सिब्बल ने आयोग को अमान्य करने का अधिकार नहीं होने का आरोप लगाया। उन्होंने कहा कि जनप्रतिनिधित्व अधिनियम, 1951 की धारा 29ए के तहत आयोग को राजनीतिक दल के आंतरिक संविधान की लोकतांत्रिकता का आकलन करने का अधिकार नहीं है। इस धारा के तहत आयोग को केवल पंजीकरण से संबंधित घोषणा करने की अपेक्षा की गई है, जो आयोग के आगे बाद के निर्णय लेने की अनुमति नहीं देती। न्यायमूर्ति जॉयमाल्या बागची ने अनुच्छेद 19(4) में 'लोक व्यवस्था' और 'नैतिकता' शब्दों के व्यापक अर्थ के बारे में बताया। सिब्बल ने कहा कि वह केवल संवैधानिक मुद्दों पर ध्यान केंद्रित कर रहे हैं, जबकि न्यायमूर्ति बागची ने नैतिकता की अवधारणा में संवैधानिक नैतिकता के प्रश्न के शामिल होने की बात कही। ठाकरे गुट का आरोप है कि निर्वाचन आयोग ने शिवसेना के प्रतिनिधित्व के बारे में निर्णय लेते समय विधानमंडल दल की संख्या को प्राथमिकता देकर गलती की। आयोग ने शिंदे गुट...#shivsena #supreme_court #election_commission #aknath_shinde #kapil_sibbal

‘Uncollectable’ SIR Forms: Nagpur Administration Mobilizes Political Parties to Trace 9.6L Voters Nagpur’s district administration has intensified efforts to resolve the issue of 9.6 lakh “uncollectable” Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Enumeration Forms, which account for 20.71% of the district’s total 46.38 lakh electors. With five days remaining in the extended SIR enumeration phase, officials have enlisted the help of political parties and their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to locate voters whose forms have been flagged as uncollectable. The uncollectable category includes electors marked as absent, migrated, deceased, or duplicates, whose status must be verified before the finalization of the electoral roll. District Collector Kumar Ashirwad directed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to collaborate with BLAs to trace these voters, ensuring no eligible elector is excluded. Polling-station-specific lists of uncollectable forms have been provided to BLOs, who are required to share them with party-appointed BLAs. These agents will assist in locating voters at their registered addresses or contacting them to collect the forms. Enumeration Forms will be collected if an eligible voter is successfully traced. Ashirwad emphasized the need for daily updates to the lists, with revised information shared with BLAs. Details of actions taken must be uploaded on ECINET, the Election Commission’s app. The administration’s focus is on verifying the authenticity of uncollectable forms and distinguishing between genuine cases where voters remain unreachable and those that may warrant deletion from the electoral roll. As of August 12, Nagpur had distributed 45,85,202 forms, representing 98.85% of the total, with 31,05,920 forms digitized (66.96%).#election_commission #district_collector_kumar_ashirwad #special_intensive_revision_sir #nagpur_administration #nagpur_central

Nagpur Electoral Roll Update: 7.48 Lakh Forms Remain Uncollected, Names Face Deletion Risk Nagpur’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has identified around 7.48 lakh electors as being in a precarious position, with their Enumeration Forms unable to be collected. These uncollectable forms, accounting for 16.12% of the district’s total electorate of 46.38 lakh, could lead to potential deletion of names from the electoral roll once the draft is published. However, officials clarified that this classification does not equate to automatic deletion, emphasizing the need for verification and claims processes. The uncollectable forms primarily involve cases of absent, shifted, or deceased electors, as well as voters who could not be traced by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the enumeration exercise. A senior election official noted that these forms should not be treated as confirmed deletions, as many are likely to be ASD (Absent, Shifted, Deceased) cases. To address this, the administration has shared the list with political parties, corporators, and their representatives, seeking assistance in locating missing voters. A separate ASD list will be published alongside the draft electoral roll on August 24, allowing affected electors to raise claims or objections before the final roll is finalized on October 27. Officials reiterated that no names will be deleted solely because their forms could not be collected. Instead, a thorough verification process will precede any final decision. Even if a name is deleted, enrolment does not permanently close. Eligible voters can apply through Form 6 for fresh inclusion, as the addition of voters remains an ongoing process post-SIR. The issue is unevenly distributed across Nagpur’s constituencies.#nagpur #election_commission #special_intensive_revision #booth_level_officers #nagpur_electoral_roll

Nagpur Lags Behind in Special Intensive Revision Drive Amid Logistical Challenges Nagpur remains among the urban districts in Maharashtra that are struggling to meet targets in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, with just five days left before the August 8 deadline for submitting enumeration forms. As of August 3, the district has recorded 90% form distribution and 60.44% digitisation, significantly lower than the state average of 93.79% distribution and 72.89% digitisation. Election officials attribute the delays to the unique logistical challenges faced by metropolitan areas, including frequent migration, rented accommodations, locked houses, gated societies, and the unavailability of working residents during repeated visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). The disparity between urban and rural areas within Nagpur is stark. While the city’s six rural Assembly constituencies have collectively digitised 72.03% of forms, the urban segments lag far behind. Umred leads with 82.33% digitisation, followed by Ramtek (79.79%), Katol (76.58%), Saoner (72.89%), Kamptee (68.27%), and Hingna (61.35%). In the city, Nagpur East leads at 54.98%, closely followed by Nagpur Central (54.26%) and Nagpur South West (51.49%). Nagpur North (47.85%), Nagpur South (46.98%), and Nagpur West (45.35%) trail further behind. Only 15,184 electors in Nagpur have submitted forms online independently, and just 824 BLOs out of 4,610 have completed 100% digitisation. The situation contrasts sharply with other districts in Vidarbha, where most have surpassed the 98% distribution mark. Yavatmal, Gadchiroli, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Washim, Amravati, Wardha, Gondia, Bhandara, and Akola all report over 80% digitisation. Yavatmal has nearly completed form distribution and digitised 87.#nagpur #maharashtra #election_commission #special_intensive_revision #yavatmal

BJP Workers Unofficially Part of SIR: Congress Alleges Political Interference Nagpur: City Congress president Praful Gudadhe accused the BJP of allowing around 500 of its office-bearers and workers to unofficially participate in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, Gudadhe claimed these individuals, based outside Nagpur, were operating from Hyderabad House, which houses the state government’s Nagpur secretariat. He alleged that the BJP workers were initially accommodated at an MLA hostel and transported daily in six buses to various Assembly constituencies across the city to assist in voter verification, despite having no authorized role in the Election Commission’s process. According to Gudadhe, the workers allegedly completed fieldwork and then reported to Hyderabad House, where they remained for the past month. He demanded explanations from the administration about the legal basis for their presence and their involvement in the SIR exercise. The Congress leader stated that the party had submitted a memorandum to Nagpur collector Ashiwad Kumar seeking a detailed inquiry but received no satisfactory response. Gudadhe called for transparency, urging the district administration to release CCTV footage from the MLA hostel and Hyderabad House to clarify the situation. The BJP did not immediately comment on the allegations. Election authorities reiterated that the SIR process is being conducted strictly in accordance with the Election Commission’s guidelines through authorized election machinery. They emphasized that the revision of electoral rolls is an independent and impartial exercise and warned that political party involvement would undermine public confidence in the process.#election_commission #nagpur_collector #hyderabad_house #prafal_gudadhe #bjp_workers

216 polling parts hit 100% SIR digitisation in Nagpur; Kamptee leads Nagpur district has achieved significant progress in the digitisation of Enumeration Forms under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative, with 216 polling parts across the district reaching 100% digitisation. Kamptee leads the district with 89 fully digitised polling parts, followed by Ramtek with 68, Katol with 22, Umred with 19, Saoner with 12, Hingna with 4, and Nagpur South West and Nagpur East each with one. The administration has intensified efforts through facilitation centres, special camps, and targeted field visits, enabling booth-level officers (BLOs) to focus more on digitising received forms and collecting pending Enumeration Forms to expedite the revision process. Officials anticipate further growth in the number of fully digitised polling parts as the district works to complete the SIR exercise within the Election Commission’s timeline. The progress, however, highlights a notable disparity between rural and urban constituencies. Rural and semi-urban areas such as Kamptee, Ramtek, Katol, and Umred account for the majority of fully digitised polling parts, while urban constituencies have lagged behind. Officials attribute this gap to challenges such as frequent migration, locked houses, rented accommodations, and the difficulty of contacting voters in apartment complexes, which have slowed form collection and verification. These factors have created obstacles in ensuring consistent digitisation across all regions, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies to address urban-specific challenges. The initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to modernising electoral processes and improving data accuracy.#election_commission #special_intensive_revision #nagpur_district #kamptee #ramtek

Prakash Raj Granted Bail After Bengaluru Court Recalls Non-Bailable Warrant In Voter ID Case Actor Prakash Raj was granted bail in a voter identity card case after a Bengaluru court recalled a non-bailable warrant issued for his failure to appear in court. The court allowed him to secure bail by providing a cash surety of Rs 4,000, following his appearance alongside legal counsel and a request to withdraw the warrant. The case, which has been ongoing since 2019, remains active despite the bail decision. The court had previously issued a non-bailable warrant against Prakash Raj for not responding to summons related to allegations of holding multiple voter ID cards across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. The complainant, advocate Dileep Kumar, had filed the case in 2019 at Bengaluru’s Halasuru Gate Police Station, accusing the actor of being registered as a voter in three states and possessing four voter identity cards. Court records indicate the alleged duplicate registrations were linked to Shanthinagar in Bengaluru, Serilingampally in Telangana, and two locations in Velachery, Tamil Nadu. Under Election Commission rules, an individual can only be enrolled as a voter at one ordinary residence. Prakash Raj’s legal team argued that the court summons never reached him, and he became aware of the case through media reports. They claimed the court had not sent any official notice, prompting the court to recall the warrant. The 48th Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court in Bengaluru heard the actor’s counsel on Friday, reviewed submissions from both sides, and decided to withdraw the non-bailable warrant. The court emphasized that while the warrant was recalled, the case would continue.#bengaluru #election_commission #prakash_raj #dileep_kumar #voter_id_case

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Launches in Vidarbha After 24 Years Nagpur: Maharashtra is set to begin its largest electoral roll verification exercise in nearly 24 years, with nearly 2 crore electors across Vidarbha—comprising one-fifth of the state’s electorate—undergoing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The initiative, the first of its kind since 2002, will span 12 assembly constituencies in the region, with Nagpur district alone accounting for 46.38 lakh electors. Over the next month, 4,610 booth level officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door verification to ensure all eligible voters are included while removing ineligible entries such as duplicates, shifted, or deceased electors. The SIR exercise, which will continue until July 29, involves distributing and collecting Enumeration Forms from every household. These forms will be used to identify discrepancies and update the electoral rolls. Across Vidarbha’s 11 districts, the drive will cover 2,00,41,024 electors, making the region a key focus area for the statewide revision. The districts involved include Amravati (25.45 lakh electors), Yavatmal (22.53 lakh), Buldhana (20.89 lakh), Chandrapur (17.97 lakh), Akola (15.95 lakh), Wardha (11.37 lakh), Gondia (11.23 lakh), Washim (10.19 lakh), Bhandara (10.10 lakh), and Gadchiroli (8.28 lakh). The rollout follows the completion of a pre-SIR mapping exercise in Nagpur, where nearly 70% of the 46.38 lakh electors were mapped. During this phase, 8.75 lakh records—about 27% of the mapped entries—were flagged for anomalies. These discrepancies will now be physically verified and corrected during the SIR process. Deputy district election officer Rachna Indurkar emphasized that every elector will receive two copies of the Enumeration Form during the one-month exercise.#nagpur #maharashtra #election_commission #special_intensive_revision #vidarbha

Special Identity Register Marks One Year of Voter List Purification The Special Identity Register (SIR), a voter list purification initiative launched by India’s Election Commission, has entered its first anniversary. Over the past year, the process has led to the removal of approximately 60 million voters from electoral rolls across the country. The initiative, initially piloted in Bihar in June 2023, has since expanded to multiple states and union territories, with the Supreme Court validating its constitutional legitimacy in March 2024. The SIR process, aimed at ensuring the accuracy of voter lists, involves verifying the eligibility of registered voters by cross-checking records with official databases. According to official data, 10.2% of the total 50.99 crore voters across 16 states and three central territories were excluded from the rolls. This reduction brought the total voter count to 45.81 crore. The majority of those removed were individuals who had passed away, with 66.88 lakh deceased voters identified. Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal reported the highest numbers of excluded voters, reflecting the scale of the operation in densely populated regions. Critics, including opposition parties and social activists, have raised concerns that the SIR process is being used to systematically exclude marginalized groups. They allege that the initiative, which was initially framed as a measure to combat electoral fraud, is being manipulated to disenfranchise voters, particularly in states with politically sensitive demographics. These claims have been met with legal challenges, but the Supreme Court’s March 2024 ruling upheld the constitutional validity of the SIR, allowing the process to continue.#uttar_pradesh #supreme_court #election_commission #special_identity_register

NMC Budget Session Under Cloud After MLC Bypoll Announcement The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s highly anticipated budget session, set to take place on Tuesday at the Suresh Bhat Auditorium, faces uncertainty following the Election Commission’s announcement of a bypoll for a Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) seat from the Nagpur Local Authorities’ Constituency. The bypoll, scheduled for June 18, with results expected on June 22, has thrown the civic body’s financial planning into disarray. The election was necessitated after BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule vacated the seat in November 2024 upon his election to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The timing of the bypoll is particularly sensitive as Shivani Dani Wakhare, the NMC standing committee chairperson, is set to present the civic body’s 2026-27 budget—a first for the standing committee in nearly four years. Since March 2022, the NMC has operated under administrator rule, with budgets presented by the municipal administration rather than elected representatives. Wakhare’s budget, which includes public consultations, now risks being delayed due to the Election Commission’s model code of conduct, which prohibits certain activities during election periods. Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar has sought permission from the district election officer to proceed with the budget session while the model code is in effect. The request has raised concerns among political observers, who note that the election of corporators in the Nagpur Local Authorities’ Constituency overlaps with the electorate for the MLC bypoll.#election_commission #nagpur_municipal_corporation #vipin_itankar #shivani_dani_wakhare #chandrashekhar_bawankule

West Bengal 2nd Phase Elections: BJP Alleges EVM Tampering on TMC, Polling Stopped in Multiple Locations Polling in the second phase of West Bengal elections was halted in several booths in Falta, Diamond Harbour, and surrounding areas after the BJP accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs). The allegations came as part of a broader dispute over the conduct of the election in the South 24 Parganas district, where the TMC’s candidate, Abhishek Banerjee (Mamata Banerjee’s son), faces competition from BJP’s Jahan Khan. The BJP claimed that TMC officials had physically altered EVMs by covering the BJP’s voting button with tape, preventing voters from selecting the BJP candidate. Video footage shared by BJP media incharge Amit Malviya allegedly showed EVMs in Falta’s Hariyandanga High School polling booth with tape over the BJP button. Malviya accused TMC of using a “Diamond Harbour model” to suppress BJP votes, suggesting this method had helped Abhishek secure his parliamentary seat. TMC dismissed the BJP’s claims as baseless, accusing the opposition of fabricating allegations to undermine their electoral prospects. TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta criticized Malviya for spreading online posts instead of reporting the issue to the Election Commission (EC). The EC stated it would investigate any credible tampering claims and, if proven, order re-polling in affected booths. The EC’s directive to re-poll in affected areas has sparked tensions, with the BJP demanding immediate action. Meanwhile, TMC defended its conduct, arguing that the EC’s oversight is necessary to address such allegations. The dispute highlights the heightened political stakes in the state, where the TMC’s dominance faces challenges from the BJP in key constituencies.#west_bengal #bjp #election_commission #tmc #abhishek_banerjee

TMC's First Reaction to Supreme Court's Decision, Close MP of Mamata Banerjee Says... The Supreme Court's ruling on the West Bengal Assembly election counting process has prompted an immediate response from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Close associate of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, TMC MP Saugata Roy, expressed concerns over the court's decision to not issue a separate order regarding the inclusion of central government employees in the counting process. Roy emphasized that the party's petition aimed to ensure fairness by advocating for the involvement of both central and state government employees in the election counting, a stance that the Supreme Court did not fully endorse. Roy stated that the TMC's petition to the Supreme Court questioned why only central government employees were appointed for the counting process, while state government employees were excluded. His legal team argued that involving all stakeholders would guarantee impartial results. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, reiterating its reliance on the Election Commission's circular dated April 13, which mandates the participation of both central and state government employees in the counting process. The court emphasized that it was merely echoing the Election Commission's directive, which the TMC claims aligns with its own demands. The TMC had previously challenged the High Court's order that excluded state government employees from the counting process. The Supreme Court's special bench, comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joyamaly Bagchi, heard the case, with senior advocate Kapil Sibal representing the party. The TMC's petition argued that the exclusion of state employees from the counting process could compromise the fairness of the election results.#mamata_banerjee #trinamool_congress #supreme_court #election_commission #saugata_roy

बंगाल: चुनाव आयोग ने सुप्रीम कोर्ट से कहा- मतगणना में मौजूद रहेंगे राज्य सरकार द्वारा नामित प्रतिनिधि नई दिल्ली: चुनाव आयोग ने शनिवार (2 मई) को सुप्रीम कोर्ट को बताया कि सोमवार (4 मई) को होने वाली मतगणना के दौरान पश्चिम बंगाल सरकार द्वारा नामित एक प्रतिनिधि मौजूद रहेगा। बार एंड बेंच की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, चुनाव आयोग की तरफ से पेश वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता दमा शेषाद्रि नायडू ने कहा, 'हम कह रहे हैं कि राज्य सरकार का नामित प्रतिनिधि वहां रहेगा। यह प्रक्रिया पहले से ही लागू की जाएगी।' पश्चिम बंगाल में सत्तारूढ़ तृणमूल कांग्रेस (टीएमसी) ने विधानसभा चुनावों की मतगणना के लिए केवल केंद्र सरकार के कर्मचारियों को सुपरवाइज़र नियुक्त करने के मुख्य निर्वाचन अधिकारी के फैसले के खिलाफ सुप्रीम कोर्ट का रुख किया था। टीएमसी ने पिछले हफ्ते कलकत्ता हाईकोर्ट द्वारा उसकी अर्जी खारिज किए जाने को चुनौती देते हुए सुप्रीम कोर्ट में याचिका दायर की थी। हाईकोर्ट ने कहा था कि मतगणना सुपरवाइज़र और सहायक की नियुक्ति करना निर्वाचन आयोग का विशेषाधिकार है, और ये नियुक्तियां राज्य या केंद्र, किसी भी सरकार के कर्मचारियों में से की जा सकती हैं। 4 मई को होने वाली मतगणना के मद्देनजर जस्टिस पीएस नरसिम्हा और जस्टिस जॉयमाल्या बागची की पीठ ने शनिवार को इस याचिका पर तात्कालिक सुनवाई की। अदालत ने कहा, 'इस विशेष अनुमति याचिका में आगे किसी आदेश की आवश्यकता नहीं है। हम नायडू के इस बयान को दर्ज करते हैं कि निर्वाचन आयोग के परिपत्र का पालन किया जाएगा।' बार एंड बेंच की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, जस्टिस बागची ने टीएमसी की ओर से पेश वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता कपिल सिब्बल से यह भी कहा कि यह वही परिपत्र है जिसे वे चुनौती दे रहे थे। जस्टिस बागची ने टिप्पणी की, 'आप परिपत्र को चुनौती दे रहे थे और अब कह रहे हैं कि उसका पालन किया जाए?' सिब्बल ने दलील दी कि मतगणना सुपरवाइज़र के रूप में राज्य सरकार के अधिकारियों को अनुमति न देना संविधान के अनुच्छेद 324 के खिलाफ है और यह किसी राज्य पर संदेह जताने के समान है। सुनवाई के अंत में जस्टिस बागची ने नायडू से कहा, 'सिब्बल परिपत्र के सख्त अनु...#west_bengal #trinamool_congress #supreme_court #election_commission #kolkata_high_court

The provided text is a news article in Telugu discussing the record voter turnout in Tamil Nadu during an upcoming election, along with political dynamics, candidate details, and logistical challenges. Below is a structured summary and analysis of the key points: --- Record Voter Turnout in Tamil Nadu Context: The article highlights an unprecedented high voter turnout in Tamil Nadu, with the Election Commission (EC) extending polling hours to accommodate the massive participation. Polling Hours: The EC initially extended polling hours by 2 hours, and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (DMK), Edappadi Palanisamy (Edappadi), requested further extension to 10 PM to ensure all voters could cast their votes. Significance: This reflects strong public engagement and the importance of the election, which is seen as a test of political strength for the ruling party (DMK) and its rivals (AIADMK and TVK). --- Political Parties and Key Candidates Ruling Party (DMK): Edappadi Palanisamy (Edappadi) is contesting from Kilambakkam and Koyambedu. The DMK is positioning itself as a reformist party and is expected to leverage its grassroots support. Opposition (AIADMK): Edappadi Palanisamy (Edappadi) is contesting from Kilambakkam and Koyambedu. The AIADMK is likely to focus on economic reforms and anti-corruption rhetoric. TVK (Tamil Vazhvu Katchi): Hero Vijay (Vijay) is a prominent candidate, known for his film industry influence and populist appeal. He is contesting from Trichy East and Perambur. Vijay's campaign emphasizes social welfare and direct engagement with voters, leveraging his celebrity status. --- Logistical Challenges and Voter Concerns Transportation Issues: Vijay criticized the transportation system for failing to accommodate voters, particularly in Chennai.#vijay #aiadmk #tamil_nadu #election_commission #edappadi_palani_samy

The provided text is a compilation of diverse news snippets and updates, covering political, cultural, social, and international topics. Here's a structured summary of the key points: --- Election Updates West Bengal & Tamil Nadu Polling: The Election Commission (EC) has finalized preparations for the first phase of polling in West Bengal (152 constituencies) and Tamil Nadu (234 constituencies) on April 26. The EC has issued strict guidelines to ensure security and order, especially in West Bengal, where tensions are high due to the contest between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP. A Supreme Court order has been issued against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, citing alleged violations of electoral laws. --- Cultural & Religious Stories Wedding in Rajasthan: Narpat Singh Rajpurohit, an environmentalist from Rajasthan, highlighted eco-friendly traditions at his daughter's wedding, emphasizing sustainability. Deity Protecting a Forest: In Himachal Pradesh, the deity "Rinku Nag" is believed to protect the "Kantaar" forest, reflecting local cultural and spiritual practices. PM Modi’s Remarks: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of public opinion ("Nagarik Devobhava") and the role of cultural heritage in unity. --- Political Developments Kharge’s Comments on Modi: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge labeled Modi an "extremist," prompting the EC to demand a 24-hour explanation. West Bengal Assembly Elections: The contest is primarily between TMC and BJP, with the EC monitoring closely to prevent disruptions. --- Social & Human Interest Stories Doctor’s Legacy: A female doctor, who passed away, was credited with giving birth to another person posthumously, highlighting medical miracles.#mamata_banerjee #bjp #trinamool_congress #supreme_court #election_commission

Election Commission Adds 139 Voters to Bengal Rolls After Tribunal Clearance Ahead of Polls The Election Commission (EC) of India has finalized the addition of 139 voters to the electoral rolls for the first phase of Bengal’s assembly elections, following clearance from appellate tribunals. This update was announced on Thursday, as the EC uploaded a list of voters whose names were cleared by the tribunals on Tuesday night. The decision came after a Supreme Court order mandated the review of voter eligibility, particularly for those whose names were deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The EC also released a list of applicants whose names were rejected by the tribunals, though no comprehensive public list of all cleared or rejected cases was provided. Sources within the poll panel indicated that approximately 650 cases were resolved during the adjudication process. The 139 voters whose names were reinstated are spread across 152 Assembly constituencies where voting will take place on April 24. The EC plans to upload another list of eligible voters once tribunals finalize their decisions on April 27. The SIR process, initiated earlier this year, involved the adjudication of 60.06 lakh voters. Over 705 judicial officers were deployed to scrutinize documents, resulting in the deletion of 27 lakh names from the electoral rolls and the addition of over 32 lakh names. Those whose names were deleted were granted the right to appeal before 19 tribunals established by the Calcutta High Court under Supreme Court directives.#assembly_elections #supreme_court #election_commission #special_intensive_revision #calcutta_high_court

SIR Impact On Bengal Polls: The Numbers Game With Rahul Kanwal The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal’s voter list has become a central issue in the upcoming assembly elections, raising concerns about its potential impact on the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP. The voter list revision, which has removed approximately 89 lakh voters—equivalent to 11.6% of the state’s electorate—has sparked debates over whether the exercise is politically motivated. The ruling party has accused the government of tampering with the list to weaken its electoral prospects, while the BJP and the Election Commission have denied these allegations. West Bengal’s 294 assembly seats require a majority of 148 seats to form a government. In the 2021 elections, the Trinamool Congress secured 215 seats, while the BJP won 77. The Left and other parties captured just one seat each. The current voter list revision has significantly altered the electoral landscape, with the number of deleted voters surpassing the Trinamool’s winning margin in the previous election. The party’s 2021 victory margin was 10% of the total votes, with 48% of the vote share compared to the BJP’s 38%. The SIR process has disproportionately affected certain districts, particularly those where the Trinamool’s margin was narrow. In districts like West Burdwan and South Dinajpur, the voter deletions have exceeded the party’s previous winning margins. In North Kolkata, the number of deleted voters is nearly equivalent to the Trinamool’s margin in that area. These deletions have raised questions about their impact on the ruling party’s chances in key constituencies. Simulations conducted by analysts suggest that the voter deletions could shift the balance of power.#west_bengal #bjp #trinamool_congress #election_commission #kanchan_gupta