Election Commission

October 13, 2025 7:11 PM

First randomisation of EVM-VVPATs for phase-I of Bihar assembly elections completed

The first randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units for Phase I of the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar has been completed. The process was carried out in all 18 districts scheduled to go to polls in the first phase. As per the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the randomisation was conducted by District Election Officers (DEOs) on October 11, 2025, after the machines successfully cleared First Level Checking ...

October 8, 2025 1:15 PM

Election Commission issues directions for strict enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in Bihar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday ordered the immediate enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) across Bihar, two days after announcing the schedule for the state assembly elections. The Commission has emphasized strict compliance with regulations governing election conduct, including the removal of defacement from government, public, and private property, and prohibiting the misuse of official vehicles, government accommodation, or other facilities by political parties...

October 6, 2025 11:06 PM

Bypolls for 8 assembly constituencies across 7 states and union territories to be held on Nov 11

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced that by-elections for eight assembly constituencies across seven states and Union Territories will take place on November 11. The counting of votes for the by-election is scheduled for November 14. These by-elections are being held to fill vacancies caused by various reasons such as resignations, deaths, or disqualifications. The by-elections will take place in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and Nagrota districts, Rajasthan's Anta distri...

October 6, 2025 5:09 PM

Election Commission announces Bihar Assembly polls, voting on Nov 6 and 11

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced that the Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with counting of votes scheduled for November 14. Addressing the media, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, described the Bihar elections as the “mother of all elections.” He assured voters that the elections will be conducted smoothly and peacefully, with spec...

September 25, 2025 3:05 PM

ECI issues new directive to streamline postal ballot counting, marks 30th major reform in six months

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced its 30th major initiative in the past six months, introducing a new directive to further streamline the counting of postal ballots in elections. The move comes amid a significant increase in the number of postal ballots following the Commission’s recent initiatives to enable home voting for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and senior citizens aged 85 and above. As per the new directive, the penultimate (second-last) round of counti...

August 17, 2025 4:56 PM

EC dismisses ‘vote theft’ charge, says poll panel stands like a rock with voters

The Election Commission on Sunday dismissed charges of ‘vote chori’, levelled by the Congress party, saying that the poll panel stands firm with the voters like a rock and will never compromise with the electoral process and protocols, even in the face of adversity. Addressing a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also rejected allegations of any bias in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive in Bihar and said that its doors are open for all political parties. H...

August 11, 2025 12:24 PM

Bihar ‘SIR’: No objection filed by parties; 54,000 new electors submit forms, says ECI

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday said that none of the political parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal-led opposition, have filed any objection or complaints over the draft electoral rolls published for Bihar on August 1. It further informed that more than 10,000 individual electors have submitted their objections directly to the poll panel, while more than 50,000 new electors, who crossed the stipulated voting age limit of 18 years, have submitted their forms, seeking new...

August 10, 2025 3:03 PM

Election Commission delists 334 unrecognised political parties

In a move to "clean up" the electoral system, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday delisted 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs), which have failed to fulfil the essential criteria of contesting even a single election for the last six years since 2019 and whose offices could not be physically located at the address mentioned in their registered documents. "After considering all the facts and recommendations of the CEOs, the Commission has delisted 334 RUPPs. Now, ...

August 8, 2025 2:24 PM

ECI enhances remuneration for polling, counting personnel

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised the remuneration for presiding officers, polling officers, counting personnel, and other officials involved in the conduct of elections. As per the new rates, a Presiding Officer or Counting Supervisor, who earlier received Rs 350 per day (or part thereof), will now be paid Rs 500 per day or Rs 2,000 as a lump sum. Polling Officers, who were earlier paid Rs 250 per day, will now receive Rs 400 per day or Rs 1,600 lump sum. Counting Assistants...

July 31, 2025 7:27 PM

ECI finalises electoral college list for Vice Presidential election

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finalised the Electoral College list for the upcoming Vice-Presidential Election scheduled for 2025, fulfilling its constitutional mandate under Article 324 of the Constitution of India. In accordance with Article 66(1) of the Constitution, the Vice-President of India is elected by an Electoral College comprising elected and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, along with elected members of the Lok Sabha. The ECI is responsible for preparing and maint...