The Election Commission of India is preparing for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections by requesting over ₹500 crore to purchase new electronic voting machines. This is due to a significant increase in polling stations and the retirement of older machines, aiming for a smooth voting process.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party on Monday wrested control of the state of West Bengal, an opposition stronghold, in a key election. The Election Commission of India released partial results showing the Bharatiya Janata Party won at least 124 seats in the 294-member West Bengal assembly, and was leading in 83 others. Final results are expected on Monday evening. It would be a significant breakthrough for Modi’s party, which had tried for years to dislodge the...
The Supreme Court of India dismissed TMC's plea against deployment of Central staff for West Bengal vote counting, recording the Election Commission of India’s assurance that its April 13 circular will be followed. It said rules were not violated and noted TMC agents would be present. The Calcutta High Court had earlier rejected the plea.
TMC moved Supreme Court against Calcutta HC order rejecting plea challenging deployment of only central government staff at counting centers for West Bengal elections. The party argued the EC's decision to appoint central and PSU employees as supervisors was discriminatory. HC ruled appointing counting supervisors is EC's prerogative and said TMC can file an election petition if central officers manipulated counting in favor of BJP. Matter listed for urgent hearing on Saturday before counting scheduled for May 4.
The Trinamool Congress has moved the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court's order rejecting its plea challenging the Election Commission's decision to deploy only central government and PSU employees as supervisors at vote counting centers in West Bengal on May 4. The High Court ruled that appointing counting supervisors is the EC's prerogative and that the party can file an election petition if central officers manipulate counting in favor of BJP. Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee questioned why the EC distrusts state government employees when the entire election was conducted with state staff, also referencing the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India. The party seeks action against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for his recent statement. Kharge reportedly called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'terrorist'. The BJP deems this a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The Madras high court has admitted a plea seeking an Income Tax probe into actor-turned-politician Vijay's asset declarations, observing a discrepancy of over Rs 100 crore in his election affidavits. The court issued notices to Vijay, the Director General of Income Tax, the Election Commission of India, and Returning Officers for the Perambur and Tiruchirappalli constituencies. The petition, filed by V Vignesh of Chennai, alleges inconsistencies in affidavits submitted for Trichy (East) and Perambur constituencies, claiming suppression of assets and concealment of material particulars.
