Elections are expensive and despite statutory ceiling on the expenditure, the candidates are forced to spend crores to win polls in India. Now, the candidates in Karnataka are being made to shell out extra to ensure crowd at their meeting. The voting is on May 5. Due to hot summer, the public meeting are being held under shamiana or pandals. During good weather meetings used to be held in the open but not this summer. The...........more

  Targeting Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi over expenses incurred in his 3D campaign, Gujarat Parivartan Party president Keshubhai Patel today alleged that public money was being spent on the BJP's "illusionary campaign." "Is Gujarat number one in doing illusionary campaign just like it is number one in 'development'?" Patel asked. Public money is being spent on advertisement...........more

The Election Commission today rejected the plea of Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy seeking de-recognition of the Congress. The commission made it clear that its power to suspend or withdraw recognition of a recognised political party could only be exercised in case the party failed to observe model code of conduct or follow lawful directions and instructions of the commission. There is no direction or instruction of the Election...........more

The Election Commission has finally cleared the confusion over suspected damage to Electronic Voting Machines on account of seepage of water from an overhead water tank in a strong-room where the machines were kept after the voting on February 19.   "Earlier ,much confusion prevailed throughout the day as word spread that heavy leakage of water from the overhead tank had flooded the two rooms where EVMS of two local...........more

  With an average turnout upwards of 57% and talk of Lucknow seeing its best turnout in many elections we may be in uncharted waters once again.  Of the 56 seats went to polls on 19th February in Uttar Pradesh there were ,any strongholds for all 4 parties and many bastions of heavyweights from all parties in this phase. These seats have seen a wide spectrum of turnouts historically. It must be noted though that the BJP's...........more

  The Commission had issued an Order dated 9th February, 2012 with regard to violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Shri Salman Khurshid, the Union Minister of Law & Justice and Minority Affairs. Following certain statements and actions by Shri Khurshid in relation to the same case, ECI had written a letter to the Hon’ble President of India on 11thFebruary 2012. Subsequently on 13th February 2012, the...........more

Commission’s attention has been drawn to a sting “Operation MLA” that was telecast in India TV on 26.01.2012 in which it was alleged that some of the candidates belonging to various political parties are procuring bribe from the corporates, allegedly for the purpose of their election expenditure in the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. It was also telecast that such persons aspiring to be candidates from various...........more

The Election Commission has noticed some violent and extremist activities taking place in certain areas of the state of Manipur in the run up to the polling in that State. This has included attacks on personnel on polling duty. While the Election Commission of India has taken all measures for free, fair and peaceful election in Manipur with full and fearless participation of voters, it is keeping track of the developing situation in the...........more

The national function of second National Voters’ Day (NVD) was observed today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, a practice that was initiated last year to coincide with the foundation day of the Election Commission of India and also to enhance the participation of the voters, especially the youth, in the democratic process. The Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the Chief Guest at the occasion. The Chief Election Commissioner...........more

Second National Voters’ Day (NVD) will be observed tomorrow, a practice that was initiated last year to commemorate the foundation day of the Election Commission of India and also to enhance the participation of the voters, especially the youth, in the democratic process. The Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will grace the second National Voters’ Day function and distribute Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to 20...........more

Chitra Ahanthem in Imphal Around 279 candidates are pitted against each other to fill the 60-seat assembly in the backdrop of concerns over the smooth conduct of polling in the state. Manipur's journey to its 10th assembly elections is turning out to be a crowded exercise, says Chitra Ahanthem, out columnist from Manipur. While the ruling Congress-led government attempts to make it to a record third term, the party...........more

After  many media reports and criticism about the covering the statues in UP due to assembly elections,Election commission feels that what they have done,that is according to the Constitutional mandate. In a special note issued by EC New Delhi HQ said that  "The Commission issued an Order on 8th January 2012 for suitably covering the statues of elephants and statues of Ms. Mayawati constructed in public places at government...........more

It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that the Central Government has carved out 4.5% sub-quota for minorities from within 27% quota for OBCs in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and should be stopped by the Commission.  The Commission, while considering the matter, took into account the fact that the decision was taken and announced on 22nd December, 2011 i.e. before the coming into force of the Model Code of...........more

  The Election Commission reviewed election preparedness for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Manipur, during a visit to Imphal yesterday.           Following a meeting with the political parties, senior officers and all concerned, the Commission directed a series of measures for ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections in the State, where the date of polling is...........more

     The Commission today held a briefing for 1200 Observers who are being appointed for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The Commission will appoint 531 General Observers, 178 Expenditure Observers and 89 Police Observers to observe the election process in these five states. Observers were...........more