EC | DD News

May 14, 2026 4:01 PM

EU revises draft list to continue imports of Indian aquaculture products beyond September 2026

India has received a major boost in its seafood export sector after the European Union (EU) included the country in its revised draft list for the continued export of aquaculture products to the European market beyond September 2026. The revised draft list, published by EU on May 12, addresses concerns that emerged after India was omitted from the earlier Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 issued in October 2024. That regulation had excluded India from the list of third countries authorised...

April 27, 2026 9:47 PM

West Bengal assembly elections: Poll crackdown intensifies as seizures cross Rs 510 crore

Seizures of illicit inducements in West Bengal have crossed ₹510 crore ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, marking a significant escalation in enforcement action by the Election Commission of India (ECI). According to ECI, the total value of seizures in the state reached ₹510.10 crore between February 26 and April 27, surpassing the ₹339 crore recorded during the 2021 Assembly elections. The seizures include cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and other inducements intended to influen...

April 5, 2026 3:24 PM

ECI steps up vigil ahead of assembly elections, bypolls; seizures cross Rs 650 crore

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday said seizures related to cash, liquor, drugs and other inducements have crossed ₹650 crore ahead of the upcoming assembly elections and bypolls across multiple states. According to the Commission, enforcement agencies have seized assets worth ₹651.51 crore since the activation of the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) on February 26. The seizures include cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals and other freebies aimed at influencing...

April 4, 2026 3:39 PM

Election Commission launches ECINet KYC feature to help voters check candidates’ background

Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections and by-elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has urged voters to make informed choices by using the “Know Your Candidates” (KYC) module available on its ECINet platform. The Commission had earlier announced the poll schedule on March 15 for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, along with by-elections in several constituencies across multiple states. Over 1,900 Candidates in Fray According to the ECI, ...

November 30, 2025 3:07 PM

ECI extends SIR deadlines by one week; final electoral roll on February 14

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday extended the schedule for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 States and Union Territories by seven days. The revision is being conducted with January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date for enrolment. Under the revised timeline, the enumeration period - involving the collection and digitisation of voter forms - will now continue until December 11, 2025, instead of December 4. The rationalisation and re-arrangement o...

November 27, 2025 10:52 AM

CEC Gyanesh Kumar to assume chairship of International IDEA on December 3

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will assume the Chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026. He will take over the post on December 3, 2025, during the meeting of the Council of Member States in Stockholm, Sweden, and will preside over all Council meetings throughout 2026. International IDEA, founded in 1995, is an inter-governmental organisation that works to strengthen democratic institutions and electo...

November 6, 2025 9:29 AM

‘Loktantra Ka Tyohar’: EC urges voters to exercise franchise as first phase of Bihar polls begins

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday urged all eligible voters to exercise their franchise, asserting that "Bihar is ready" for the "festival of Democracy" as the first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar began on Thursday. In a post on X, the Poll body said that the "voters are welcome at the polling station." "#LoktantraKaTyohar...Bihar is ready. Welcome to all voters at the polling station. #BiharElections2025," said ECI on X. The first phase of the 2025 Assembly el...

September 16, 2024 5:44 PM

Vote counting to begin from 8 am on June 4; EC releases handbook

The counting of votes for the General Election and the State Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and bye-elections to Assembly Constituencies shall be held on June 4 starting at 8 am, the Election Commission said. The counting of votes for the General Election as well as the State Legislative Assembly of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh will start at 6 am on Sunday, it added. Chief Election Commission Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh San...

September 16, 2024 5:56 PM

EC issues notice to Nadda and Kharge, asks parties to maintain restraint

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued notices to BJP president JP Nadda and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, instructing them to ensure their star campaigners correct their discourse and maintain decorum. The directive follows a decline in the quality of campaign rhetoric from both parties. The ECI has expressed strong disapproval of the BJP and Congress campaigns, which have increasingly relied on caste, community, language, and religion-based rhetoric. The Commission has ordered...