Election Commission of India

July 7, 2026 3:41 PM

‘New golden chapter’: India, Indonesia sign Election Commission MoU to strengthen democratic cooperation

India and Indonesia on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their Election Commissions to strengthen democratic cooperation, marking another milestone in the growing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The agreement was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day state visit to Indonesia, where he held bilateral talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Addressing a joint press statement after the delegation-level talks, PM...

May 2, 2026 9:50 AM

Bengal polls: Re-polling today in 15 booths in South 24 Parganas

Re-polling in 15 polling booths across the Magrahat (Paschim) and Diamond Harbour Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal is taking place on Saturday, the Election Commission of India announced. Of the 15 polling booths where re-polling will be held on Saturday, 11 are in Magrahat (Paschim), and 4 are in Diamond Harbour. Polling in both these Assembly constituencies was conducted in the second phase of the two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal on April 29. ...

April 30, 2026 4:54 PM

ECI introduces QR code-based ID system to secure counting centres

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a QR code-based Photo Identity Card system to enhance security and prevent unauthorised access at counting centres during elections. The new system will be implemented starting May 4, during the counting of votes for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, as well as bye-elections in seven constituencies across five states. The poll body said the mechanism will subsequently be extended to all future Lok S...

April 29, 2026 9:12 PM

West Bengal records highest-ever voter turnout since Independence; Phase 2 election sees 91.66% polling

West Bengal has recorded its highest-ever voter turnout since Independence, with an impressive 91.66% polling in Phase two of the Assembly elections on Wednesday, said the Election Commission of India (ECI). Polling for Phase-II began at 7:00 AM and continued till evening, with voter participation reaching 91.66% by 7:45 PM. Combined with Phase-I turnout of 93.19%, the overall polling percentage across the first two phases stands at a record 92.47%, surpassing the previous high of 84.72% record...

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...

March 21, 2026 1:57 PM

ECI completes first randomisation of EVM-VVPATs in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry ahead of Assembly polls

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has completed the first phase of randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units for the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The process follows the poll schedule announced by the Commission on March 15 for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states. According to the ECI, the alloc...

March 20, 2026 4:10 PM

Political ads must get MCMC approval before release: ECI

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made pre-certification of political advertisements mandatory across all media platforms, including social media, for the upcoming Assembly elections in five states and bye-elections in six others. The Commission, which announced the poll schedule on March 15 for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, said all political parties, candidates and organisations must obtain prior approval from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee ...

March 17, 2026 2:23 PM

ECI deploys 1,111 central observers for Assembly polls in 5 states, bye-elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed 1,111 central observers for the ongoing Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, as well as for bye-elections in six states. The observers will function as the “eyes and ears” of the Commission to ensure that elections are conducted in a violence-free and inducement-free manner, the ECI said on Monday. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while announcing the poll schedule earlier, had emphasised ...

March 16, 2026 3:20 PM

ECI enforces Model Code of Conduct, orders major bureaucratic reshuffle ahead of assembly polls in five states

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed strict implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) following the announcement of Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The Commission has also ordered a major bureaucratic reshuffle in West Bengal, replacing key police and administrative officials in a move aimed at ensuring free and fair elections. The election schedule was announced by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Ku...

February 25, 2026 10:50 AM

ECI, state poll commissioners adopt National Declaration 2026 to strengthen electoral roll coordination

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday concluded the National Round Table Conference with State Election Commissioners (SECs) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with participants adopting the National Declaration 2026 and resolving to deepen institutional cooperation in electoral management. The conference, held after a gap of 27 years, was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. In his inaugu...