"election-commission"

Election Commission of India imposed strict restrictions on motorcycle movement in West Bengal ahead of April 23 polls, banning rallies, limiting riding hours, and regulating pillion use to ensure voter safety and prevent election-related intimidation.

Election Commission of India directed officials in Kerala to avoid opening strong rooms before counting day after reports from Kozhikode and Palakkad, while opposition leaders alleged procedural violations and demanded scrutiny ahead of the May 4 election results

Mallikarjun Kharge accused PM Narendra Modi of “terrorising” opposition using central agencies, alleging bias in the Election Commission and attacking policies on reservation and delimitation during a Chennai press briefing alongside KC Venugopal

Mamata Banerjee alleged selective targeting of Trinamool Congress workers ahead of West Bengal polls, accusing central agencies and the Election Commission of India of bias, while claiming attempts to influence arrests, EVM handling, and campaign operations

The Supreme Court of India refused a “fishing inquiry” into alleged addition of 5–7 lakh voters in West Bengal electoral rolls, urging challenges through proper legal process while reviewing related Special Intensive Revision (SIR) petitions ahead of upcoming Assembly elections

The Election Commission of India ordered a 48-hour ‘Dry Day’ in poll-bound West Bengal and Tamil Nadu under the Representation of the People Act, restricting liquor sales to ensure free, fair elections and prevent voter influence

Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Election Commission is planning “slow polling” and “slow counting” to mislead voters and weaken TMC agents. She also accused the Centre of misuse of agencies and raised concerns over EVM manipulation ahead of elections

The Election Commission directed West Bengal officials to inspect violence-prone areas and report security measures ahead of Assembly polls. It also mandated enhanced communication systems, strict polling protocols, and action on pending warrants to ensure smooth voting across constituencies

Polling in Kerala’s Palakkad constituency has been overshadowed by allegations of cash and saree distribution to voters. While BJP denied the claims, the Election Commission has sought a report and launched a probe into possible violations of electoral norms

A meeting between the Election Commission and a TMC delegation ended in controversy, with the party alleging the CEC asked them to “get lost” and the EC accusing leaders of shouting. The exchange comes amid tensions over West Bengal elections

At a rally in Baishnabnagar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pledged to drive the BJP out of Bengal and later Delhi, while accusing the Election Commission of running the state administration at the behest of the saffron party. She also criticised the deletion of voter names during the Special Intensive Revision exercise.

Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP, Centre and Election Commission of undermining democracy and warned of threats to citizenship through NRC. Launching her Bengal poll campaign, she raised concerns over voter list revisions and appealed to key voter groups

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the Election Commission and the BJP after the removal of top state officers ahead of the assembly polls, alleging the move showed an anti-women and anti-Bengal attitude by the saffron camp

The Election Commission cancelled the contract of the agency supplying web cameras for West Bengal elections after finding major irregularities in footage from the 2021 assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Three new vendors have been selected through fresh tenders

The Election Commission removed West Bengal DGP Peeyush Pandey and Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar a day after announcing the assembly poll schedule. Siddh Nath Gupta has been appointed the new DGP, while Ajay Kumar Nand becomes Kolkata Police commissioner

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said states can take policy decisions before the model code of conduct comes into force, responding to questions on recent welfare announcements. He also assured strict action against inducements and urged voters to participate in the democratic process

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of threatening state officials during a meeting on poll preparedness. She also criticised the ongoing SIR exercise, alleging it was being used to deprive people of voting rights

Political tensions over the SIR exercise in West Bengal dominated Election Commission consultations with parties in Kolkata. The TMC alleged voter harassment, while the BJP demanded fewer poll phases. The EC assured political parties that elections would be conducted fairly and peacefully

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar warned officials in West Bengal that any lapse in law and order ahead of the Assembly elections would invite strict action. The Election Commission also questioned the absence of a Narcotics Advisory Committee in the state

A sharper decline in women voters following West Bengal’s electoral roll revision has introduced a new political variable ahead of the Assembly polls. Analysts say even marginal shifts in the crucial women electorate could influence outcomes in tightly contested constituencies.