Karnataka govt to request ECI to spare teachers from poll duty
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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Rahul Gandhi's charges against poll panel justified or irresponsible? Experts debate
The big focus of this episode of News Today is on the Gujarat bridge collapse and Rahul Gandhi versus the Election Commission over Bihar electoral roll revision. In Gujarat, 12 people died after a portion of a bridge collapsed in Vadodara. The bridge's weakening structure had been flagged by a panchayat member in 2022, but insufficient maintenance led to this avoidable tragedy. Prime Minister Modi announced ₹2,00,000 compensation for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. While Rahul Gandhi has accused the Election Commission of acting as an agent of the Modi government, questioning the integrity of the electoral roll revision in Bihar. The Election Commission's decision to conduct a special intensive revision of voter lists in Bihar has sparked a heated debate. The move, requiring fresh documentation for those not registered as of 2003, has raised questions about its timing and necessity.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
57.48% of enumeration forms collected in first 15 days in Bihar: ECI
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported significant progress in Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, with over 57% of enumeration forms collected in the first half of the designated period, reinforcing the commission's commitment to maintaining pure electoral rolls across the country. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasised the commission's unwavering dedication to Indian voters, stating, 'The Election Commission of India was, is and will always be with the electors of India,' while highlighting the importance of clean electoral rolls in strengthening democratic processes. The ongoing SIR exercise in Bihar has demonstrated remarkable momentum, with 4.53 crore enumeration forms collected by 6:00 PM today, representing 57.48% of the state's total 7.90 crore existing electors. This achievement comes with 16 days still remaining before the July 25, 2025, deadline, said ECI. The collection rate has shown particularly strong performance in recent days, with 83.12 lakh enumeration forms gathered in the last 24 hours alone, accounting for 10.52% of the total target in a single day. The success of the initiative has been attributed to the enthusiastic participation of Bihar's electorate, combined with the dedicated efforts of election officials, volunteers, and an extensive network of 1.56 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by all recognised political parties. According to ECI data, approximately 7.90 crore forms were printed for the exercise, with nearly 98% of these forms (7.71 crore) already distributed to electors during the first 15 days since the SIR instructions were issued on June 24, 2025. The commission has made special provisions for electors who have temporarily migrated, in accordance with Section 20(1A) of the Representation of People Act 1950. These voters can access pre-filled enumeration forms through the official ECI website at ensuring their participation even if they are temporarily relocated. The SIR guidelines under Para 3(d) provide multiple convenient options for form submission. Temporarily migrated electors can print and sign their enumeration forms and submit them through family members or various online means, including WhatsApp and similar applications, before the July 25 deadline to ensure their names appear in the draft Electoral Rolls. Maintaining the same momentum on the field, and with just about 42.5 % forms remaining to be collected, the exercise of collecting the Enumeration Forms could be completed well before the stipulated date i.e. July 25, 2025, Claims ECI. The Election Commission continues to monitor the exercise closely, with regular updates on collection rates and procedural adherence to ensure the revision process maintains its high standards of accuracy and inclusivity. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Bihar: Kanhaiya Kumar, Pappu Yadav snubbed by security from boarding Rahul Gandhi's van during Mahagathbandhan protest
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 9 (ANI): Congress leader and National Students' Union of India (NSUI) national incharge Kanhaiya Kumar, along with Pappu Yadav, who is an independent MP from Purnia Lok Sabha constituency, on Wednesday were snubbed by security from boarding a van during the Mahagathbandhan protest against electoral roll revision in poll-bound Bihar. The incident occurred when both leaders attempted to board the van carrying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, but were stopped by security guards. Videos of the incident show Kanhaiya Kumar and Pappu Yadav being prevented from joining Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav on the van, sparking speculation about internal conflicts within the alliance. The rally was part of the INDIA opposition alliance's protest against the Election Commission's decision to conduct a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, ahead of the state assembly elections. Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi warned that the pattern of electoral manipulation seen in Maharashtra could be repeated in Bihar. Speaking at the Bihar Bandh rally, Rahul Gandhi said, 'The way there was vote theft in the Maharashtra elections, a similar attempt is being made in Bihar.' Gandhi also raised questions over the rise in voter numbers between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Maharashtra, alleging that all newly added votes went to the BJP. He claimed that the INDIA alliance's poor performance in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, despite a Lok Sabha majority, prompted a deeper data review that revealed suspicious voting patterns. He also said that between the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, one crore new voters were added, and in the assembly elections, 10 per cent more people voted. Speaking at the Bihar Bandh rally, Rahul Gandhi said, 'Shortly after the Lok Sabha elections, assembly elections were held in Maharashtra and Haryana. In the Lok Sabha elections, the INDIA alliance got a majority in Maharashtra. But just a few months later, in the assembly elections, the INDIA alliance did poorly. We didn't say much at the time, but we began working on and investigating the matter. The 21st century is the century of data, so we started studying the data. Upon investigation, we found that between the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, approximately one crore new voters were added. In the assembly elections, 10 per cent more people voted. When we checked the origins of these new voters, we were surprised. In every constituency where voter numbers increased, the BJP won. All the new votes went to the BJP.' Gandhi accused the Election Commission of withholding crucial voter data and booth videography from the Maharashtra Assembly elections, alleging irregularities in voter registration. Gandhi, along with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, today led the 'Bihar Bandh' protest in Patna against the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to undertake the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Several senior leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, including CPI General Secretary D Raja, CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, Kanhaiya Kumar, and Sanjay Yadav, also participated in the protest. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting every Indian's right to vote by highlighting Article 326 of the Constitution, which guarantees universal adult suffrage. Article 326 ensures that every Indian citizen above 18 years of age can vote unless disqualified due to non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime, or corrupt practices. This provision underscores India's commitment to broader democratic participation and was instrumental in lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years in 1989. The ECI has emphasised its dedication to upholding constitutional principles by adhering to Article 326 and Section 16 of the Representation of People Act, 1950. The commission has stated that it will 'scrupulously' follow these provisions during the revision of electoral rolls, ensuring that no eligible citizen is disenfranchised. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has posted an image on its 'X' account highlighting Article 326 of the Constitution of India, which mandates universal adult suffrage, ensuring every Indian citizen above 18 years of age can vote unless disqualified. 'Article 326 - Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage. The elections to the House of the People and the Legislative Assembly of every State shall be on the basis of adult suffrage, that is to say, every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than eighteen years of age on such date as may be fixed in that behalf by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature and is not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter at any such election,' posted by ECI on X. (ANI)
