Page 7 - Election Commission

Uddhav-led Shiv Sena suggests three poll symbols after EC order

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction has submitted to the Election Commission its three options of a trident, rising sun or mashaal (burning torch) for its poll symbol, sources said on Sunday. The Election Commission had on Saturday barred the Shiv Sena factions led by former chief minister Thackeray and present Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde from using the party name and its election symbol 'bow & arrow' in the Andheri East Assembly bypoll scheduled on November 3. In an interim order over claims by the rival factions for control of the organisation, the commission asked them to suggest by Monday three different name choices and also as many free symbols for allocation to their respective groups. A source from the Thackeray faction said, The Sena has submitted three options as an alternative before the Election Commission - a trident, rising sun or a burning torch, also known as mashaal in Marathi and Hindi languages." The Thackeray camp has also given some options for its ...

Uddhav Thackeray faction calls EC order on party symbol 'injustice'

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Saturday termed the Election Commission's order barring the rival factions of the party from using the party name and election symbol in the Andheri East assembly bypoll as "injustice." The poll body should have taken a decision in a holistic manner rather than passing an interim decision for the bypoll, said Ambadas Danve, Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council who owes allegiance to the Thackeray group. This is injustice, he told PTI. As per the EC's interim order, both the Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions would not be able to use the party name and election symbol in the bypoll in Mumbai on November 3. The commission asked them to suggest by Monday three name choices for their groups, and also as many free symbols. The Commission can allocate the name and the symbol to both factions from the options submitted.

EC bars Thackeray, Shinde camps from using Shiv Sena name, party symbol

The Election Commission on Saturday barred the Shiv Sena factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde from using the party name and its election symbol in the Andheri East assembly bypoll. In an interim order over the claims by the rival factions for control of the organisation, the commission asked them to suggest by Monday three different name choices and also as many free symbols for allocation to their respective groups. The interim order came on Saturday on the Shinde faction's request seeking it be allocated the symbol as the Andheri East assembly bypoll is approaching. "The Commission is duty bound to ensure that all electoral steps of the bye election are free of any confusion and contradiction and thus its next step are necessarily agnostic to the possibility of either of the faction participating in the poll, the interim order said. The rival factions had approached the Commission after the split in the Shiv Sena ranks in June, claiming to be the 'real Shiv Sena'.

Congress urges EC to declare Himachal assembly schedule, accuses BJP

The Congress on Saturday urged the Election Commission to immediately declare the election schedule for Himachal Pradesh Assembly so that the model code of conduct comes into effect, as it accused the ruling BJP of misusing state funds and machinery. The state Congress also sought a ban on 'Amritmahotsav' functions in Himachal Pradesh. Just about two months are left for the tenure of the BJP government in the state but the BJP is openly misusing power and government machinery for political gains, Himachal Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Singh alleged in a statement. She alleged "crores of rupees" in government expenditure was being made for hosting BJP central ministers and leaders. The EC should take cognisance of this and immediately stop the misuse of government money and machinery, she said and urged the poll panel to declare the dates for Assembly elections in the state and implement the model code of conduct immediately. "The BJP in the state is openly using party banne

Shinde faction to meet Election Commission on Friday over Sena poll symbol

Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena is set to meet the Election Commission on Friday to stake claim for the party's 'bow and arrow' poll symbol ahead of the Andheri East assembly bypoll in Maharashtra. The move by the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena is seen as a bid to deny the 'bow and arrow' election symbol to the Uddhav Thackeray group which has decided to field Rutuja Latke, widow of MLA Ramesh Latke, for the November 3 bypoll. "We are meeting the Election Commission on Friday in connection with the party election symbol," Rahul Shewale, leader of the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena in the Lok Sabha, told PTI. BJP, an ally of Shinde faction, has decided to field Murji Patel, a corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, for the bypoll necessitated due to the death of Ramesh Latke. Congress and the NCP have decided to support the candidate of the Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, their coalition partner in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Shinde had raised a banner of

Simply not EC's business: Congress on poll watchdog's freebies letter

The Congress on Thursday said the Election Commission's recent proposal to change the model code goes against the spirit of competitive politics and will be "yet another nail in the coffin of democracy". The EC has asked all recognised national and state political parties to provide authentic information to voters on the financial viability of their poll promises, saying inadequate disclosures have far-reaching ramifications. The EC has asked parties to submit their views by October 19. Asked about the development, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said it was simply not the business of the Election Commission. "It goes against the very essence and the spirit of competitive politics and will be yet another nail in the coffin of democracy in India," he said. None of the welfare and social development schemes that have been transformational over the decades would ever have become a reality if such a bureaucratic approach had been in place, Ramesh

Unintended consequences of reining in freebies

The Election Commission of India should be careful when altering the rules of the election game

EC says empty poll promises made by parties have far-reaching ramifications

The Election Commission on Tuesday wrote to political parties for providing authentic information to the voters to assess financial viability of their election promises and also sought their views on the issue. The EC said it cannot overlook inadequate disclosures on election promises and consequential undesirable impact on financial sustainability as empty poll promises so made have far-reaching ramifications. The proposed format for disclosure of election promises made by political parties seeks to bring standardisation in the nature of information facilitating comparability. Disclosure proforma mandates declaration of quantification of physical coverage, financial implications of the promises and availability of the financial resources. By proposing the reform, the poll panel aims to inform voters about the financial feasibility of election promises in manifestos and also whether they are sustainable within the financial space of the state or the Union government.

Election Commission announces bypolls to seven Assembly seats in 6 states

The Election Commission announced by-elections to seven vacant Assembly seats in six states to be held in November

Karnataka HC directs EC to conduct Bengaluru civic polls by Dec 31

The Karnataka High Court on Friday set aside the reservation list for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) announced by the state government in August this year and directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct elections to the civic body by December 31. The court directed that a fresh list has to be prepared before November 30. The government announced the draft list on August 3 and notified it on August 16. Several petitions were filed in the HC challenging this notification. The HC partly accepted the contentions of petitioner K Mahadev and others from Ejipura. The court found errors in the reservation provided in the OBC and women's categories. However, the reservation for SC/ST candidates was found to be in order. Before the HC's order, Additional Advocate General Dhyan Chinnappa submitted an affidavit prepared by H S Shivakumar, the Under Secretary of the Urban Development department. The affidavit sought 16 weeks to redo the reservation list. The HC, how

SC allows EC to go ahead with hearing Shinde group's claim on 'real' Sena

The Supreme Court Tuesday allowed the Election Commission to go ahead with the hearing of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde group's plea seeking recognition as the real Shiv Sena and allocation of the party's bow-and-arrow poll symbol to it. Justice D Y Chandrachud, heading a constitution bench, rejected the plea of the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction seeking to restrain the EC from deciding the Shinde group's claim over the original" Shiv Sena. We direct that there would be no stay of the proceedings before the Election Commission, the bench also comprising Justices M R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha said. PTI PKS http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg We bring the World to you" Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you.

Fight for truth will continue: Aaditya on SC ruling on Shinde faction plea

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday said the Supreme Court allowing the Election Commission to hear the plea of the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cannot be construed as a victory for either camp. He said the battle for truth will continue in the Election Commission of India (ECI). Aaditya, son of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, was reacting to the Supreme Court allowing the ECI to go ahead with the hearing of the Shinde group's plea for recognition as the "real" Shiv Sena and allocation of the party's bow-and-arrow poll symbol to it. He said the apex court's ruling was neither victory nor defeat for anyone. "The arguments in the case will have a far-reaching impact on the democratic principles in the country. We stand for truth and truth will prevail. The stage for arguments has shifted from the court to ECI. We are ready for the hearing. We have faith in the judiciary. We believe in the Constitution and will fight the battle for truth with all

Election Commissioner reviews preparations for upcoming Gujarat polls

A delegation of the Election Commission of India led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar Election Commissioner reviewed the preparations for the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections.

BJP's expenses on assembly polls in five states up 58% to Rs 344 cr

In 2017, BJP had spent Rs 218.26 crore on the elections in the five states. In 2022, the expense was Rs 344 crore. Congress's bill rose from Rs 108.14 crore to Rs 194.80 during the same period

EC asks YSRCP to clarfiy Jagan Reddy's 'permanent president' role

Against the backdrop of media reports that Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has been appointed the permanent president of YSRCP, the Election Commission on Wednesday directed the party to make a "clear and categorical public announcement" contradicting the reports as the matter has the potential to create "confusion" in other political organisations. The EC order came after the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) initially informed the poll panel about the "unanimous" election of Jagan Mohan Reddy as president of the party on July 8 and 9 this year, but did not categorically admit or deny the specific allegation forwarded by EC regarding he being made permanent president for life. The EC had sought a reply from the parry following media reports. The YSRCP had later confirmed to the EC that the issue was reported in the media and that the party has launched an internal enquiry in this regard. It had also told EC that "necessary action" on the same will be taken by the party on findin

Sukesh Chandrasekhar: A jailed conman who never stopped duping people

He is accused of running an extortion racket worth Rs 200 crore from the inside of Tihar jail. He has also duped people on the pretext of promising them jobs

CM Hemant Soren meets Jharkhand Guv, urges him to clear air on EC's stance

On September 5, Chief Minister Soren-led government proved its overwhelming majority on the floor of the assembly. The MLAs have expressed full loyalty and confidence to his leadership

SEC starts electoral roll revision process for VC election in TTAADC

The State Election Commission (SEC) of Tripura has initiated the process to prepare the final electoral rolls for conducting elections to village committees (VCs) of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). The VC elections are considered important as Assembly elections are due in the state next year. The elections were scheduled to take place by March 3, last year but could not be held due to the Covid pandemic. The tribal council has 587 Village Committees which are similar to gram panchayats and 68 per cent of Tripura's geographical area 10,491 square km falls under the autonomous district council. In July, the High Court of Tripura, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), asked the state election panel to complete the VC elections by the first week of November. The draft publication of the electoral rolls will be published on September 16 while filing of claims and objections will be allowed from September 16 to 22, said a senior poll official on ...

Jharkhand political turmoil: Ruling coalition MLAs shifted to Latratu

The political crisis in the state started after the Election Commission disqualified the Assembly membership of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with the office of profit case.

No communication received: Jharkhand CM's office on EC's letter to Governor

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday alleged blatant misuse of constitutional authorities and public agencies after reports claimed that the Election Commission recommended his disqualification as an MLA in the mining lease case. No communication in this regard has been received by the Chief Minister's Office from either the Election Commission or Governor Ramshe Bains, his secretariat said. "It apparently seems that BJP leaders including a BJP MP and his puppet journalists have themselves drafted the ECI report, which is otherwise a sealed cover report," Soren said in a statement issued by his secretariat. "This blatant misuse of constitutional authorities and public agencies and its complete takeover by BJP HQ in Deendayal Upadhay Marg in this shameful manner is unseen in Indian Democracy," he said. The chief minister is apprised of several media reports about ECI sending a report to the governor "apparently recommending his disqualification as a MLA", his office ...