News Analysis India

Tag: Election Commission

  • Shiv Sena symbol war: Uddhav faction gets 15 more days to submit documents to EC

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission is learnt to have given the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena 15 more days to submit documents in support of its claim on the party’s election symbol.

    Last month, the Election Commission had asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena, led by Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the party’s election symbol — a “bow and arrow”.

    Following a request by the Thackeray faction, the EC has now asked it submit the documents by August 23, sources said.

    Responding to a question on the plea by the Thackeray faction to postpone hearing on the matter by four weeks, sources said at present the EC has only asked for documents and the hearing will come later.

    The poll body had asked the two factions to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislature and organisational wings of the Shiv Sena, and their written statements on the matter.

    Shinde and 39 other Shiv Sena legislators had revolted against the party leadership in June this year, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

    The MVA dispensation consisted of the Shiv Sena, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.

    The Shinde camp joined hands with the BJP and formed the government in Maharashtra subsequently.

    Shinde took oath as chief minister on June 30 along with BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

    Meanwhile, a delegation of the Uddhav faction on Thursday met Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar and asked him to include its MLAs in the House Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

    Sunil Prabhu, the chief whip appointed by Thackeray, said as the Thackeray-led party remains the original Sena, its representatives should be part of the BAC which decides the business of the House during a session.

    The party recommended that he (Prabhu) and Ajay Choudhary be included in the BAC, Prabhu added.

    Choudhary was appointed the leader of the Shiv Sena legislature party replacing Eknath Shinde after the latter rebelled and brought down the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government in June.

    The appointments of both Prabhu and Chaudhary were contested by the rebel camp led by Shinde who is now Maharashtra chief minister.

    The Shinde faction appointed Bharatshet Gogawale as the chief whip.

    Currently, the Shiv Sena is represented by rebel MLAs Uday Samant and Dada Bhuse in the BAC.

    “We met the speaker and asked him to appoint our representatives to the BAC. He said he will take a legal opinion and decide,” Prabhu said.

    Ajay Choudhary, who was also part of the delegation, said they told the speaker that the Supreme Court had not given any ruling as to who controls the Shiv Sena, hence the representatives of the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction should be part of the BAC.

    Of total 55 MLAs of the Shiv Sena, 40 MLAs are part of the Shinde faction.

    The monsoon session of the Assembly will be held from August 17 to 25.

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission is learnt to have given the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena 15 more days to submit documents in support of its claim on the party’s election symbol.

    Last month, the Election Commission had asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena, led by Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the party’s election symbol — a “bow and arrow”.

    Following a request by the Thackeray faction, the EC has now asked it submit the documents by August 23, sources said.

    Responding to a question on the plea by the Thackeray faction to postpone hearing on the matter by four weeks, sources said at present the EC has only asked for documents and the hearing will come later.

    The poll body had asked the two factions to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislature and organisational wings of the Shiv Sena, and their written statements on the matter.

    Shinde and 39 other Shiv Sena legislators had revolted against the party leadership in June this year, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

    The MVA dispensation consisted of the Shiv Sena, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.

    The Shinde camp joined hands with the BJP and formed the government in Maharashtra subsequently.

    Shinde took oath as chief minister on June 30 along with BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

    Meanwhile, a delegation of the Uddhav faction on Thursday met Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar and asked him to include its MLAs in the House Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

    Sunil Prabhu, the chief whip appointed by Thackeray, said as the Thackeray-led party remains the original Sena, its representatives should be part of the BAC which decides the business of the House during a session.

    The party recommended that he (Prabhu) and Ajay Choudhary be included in the BAC, Prabhu added.

    Choudhary was appointed the leader of the Shiv Sena legislature party replacing Eknath Shinde after the latter rebelled and brought down the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government in June.

    The appointments of both Prabhu and Chaudhary were contested by the rebel camp led by Shinde who is now Maharashtra chief minister.

    The Shinde faction appointed Bharatshet Gogawale as the chief whip.

    Currently, the Shiv Sena is represented by rebel MLAs Uday Samant and Dada Bhuse in the BAC.

    “We met the speaker and asked him to appoint our representatives to the BAC. He said he will take a legal opinion and decide,” Prabhu said.

    Ajay Choudhary, who was also part of the delegation, said they told the speaker that the Supreme Court had not given any ruling as to who controls the Shiv Sena, hence the representatives of the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction should be part of the BAC.

    Of total 55 MLAs of the Shiv Sena, 40 MLAs are part of the Shinde faction.

    The monsoon session of the Assembly will be held from August 17 to 25.

  • ‘Provision of election law not applicable in mining lease case’: Hemant Soren’s legal team to EC

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The provision of the election law dealing with disqualification for government contracts does not apply to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, accused of extending himself a mining lease, his legal team told the Election Commission today.

    One of Soren’s legal counsels S K Mendiratta told reporters after the EC hearing that Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with “Disqualification for Government contracts” was not applicable in this case.

    “This was the sum and substance of our argument today. We will continue with our plea on August 12,” he said.

    Mendiratta has served as a legal expert with EC for decades.

    After the Soren side concludes its arguments, the BJP, the petitioner in the case, will give rejoinders.

    While dealing with such cases, EC functions as a quasi-judicial body.

    The BJP as the petitioner in the case had asserted that Soren violated the provision of the election law by extending himself a favour with a government contract while in office.

    Following a reference from the Jharkhand governor, the poll panel in May issued a notice to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader under Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act as it is alleged that owning the lease violates this law.

    NEW DELHI: The provision of the election law dealing with disqualification for government contracts does not apply to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, accused of extending himself a mining lease, his legal team told the Election Commission today.

    One of Soren’s legal counsels S K Mendiratta told reporters after the EC hearing that Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with “Disqualification for Government contracts” was not applicable in this case.

    “This was the sum and substance of our argument today. We will continue with our plea on August 12,” he said.

    Mendiratta has served as a legal expert with EC for decades.

    After the Soren side concludes its arguments, the BJP, the petitioner in the case, will give rejoinders.

    While dealing with such cases, EC functions as a quasi-judicial body.

    The BJP as the petitioner in the case had asserted that Soren violated the provision of the election law by extending himself a favour with a government contract while in office.

    Following a reference from the Jharkhand governor, the poll panel in May issued a notice to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader under Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act as it is alleged that owning the lease violates this law.

  • Three to four lakh first-time voters expected to be added to electoral roll in Gujarat

    By PTI

    GANDHINAGAR: An estimated 3 to 4 lakh first-time voters are expected to qualify to exercise their franchise in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections with the change in the qualifying date to October 1 from the earlier January 1, officials said Monday.

    The state will go to polls in December 2022.

    “The Election Commission (EC) has given four qualifying dates for enrolment of electoral rolls. This provides everyone who turns 18 on October 1 to enroll in the voters’ list and exercise their franchise,” Gujarat chief electoral officer P Bharathi said.

    All those who attain the age of 18 by October 1 should get themselves registered to cast their vote, she said.

    “We expect maximum number of new voters to register themselves. We expect approximately 3-4 lakh more new voters to be added,” Bharathi said.

    The EC will launch a special campaign on social media and on college campuses to include voters who complete 18 years on October 1 and prepare an up-to-date electoral roll, she said.

    As per official data, there are 6.

    18 lakh first-time voters in the electoral roll prepared on the basis of the previous eligibility date of January 1.

    The draft electoral roll will be published on August 12, after which claims and objection applications can be submitted till September 11 regarding names registered in the voters’ list or the name of a new voter, the official said.

    The EC will publish the final voter list on October 10, she said.

    There are a total of 4.83 lakh registered voters in Gujarat, of which 2.50 lakh are men and 2.33 lakh women.

    Apart from this, a total of 51,782 polling stations have been identified after reorganisation, it was stated.

    A campaign for special summary revision of the electoral roll will be conducted across the state on four consecutive Sundays starting August 21, in which right-claims and objection applications will be accepted, she said.

    The EC has also made provisions to link Aadhaar number with electoral roll data in the modified registration forms.

    A new Form-6B has also been introduced for collecting Aadhaar number of existing electors, the official said.

    The EC has recently announced amendments to the laws and regulations related to the electoral roll, whereby any citizen attaining the age of 18 years by April 1, July 1 and October 1 of 2023 can submit an advance application for registration as a voter from the date of draft publication of electoral roll.

    Earlier, those attaining the age of 18 on January 1 were considered eligible to enroll themselves in the voters’ list.

    GANDHINAGAR: An estimated 3 to 4 lakh first-time voters are expected to qualify to exercise their franchise in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections with the change in the qualifying date to October 1 from the earlier January 1, officials said Monday.

    The state will go to polls in December 2022.

    “The Election Commission (EC) has given four qualifying dates for enrolment of electoral rolls. This provides everyone who turns 18 on October 1 to enroll in the voters’ list and exercise their franchise,” Gujarat chief electoral officer P Bharathi said.

    All those who attain the age of 18 by October 1 should get themselves registered to cast their vote, she said.

    “We expect maximum number of new voters to register themselves. We expect approximately 3-4 lakh more new voters to be added,” Bharathi said.

    The EC will launch a special campaign on social media and on college campuses to include voters who complete 18 years on October 1 and prepare an up-to-date electoral roll, she said.

    As per official data, there are 6.

    18 lakh first-time voters in the electoral roll prepared on the basis of the previous eligibility date of January 1.

    The draft electoral roll will be published on August 12, after which claims and objection applications can be submitted till September 11 regarding names registered in the voters’ list or the name of a new voter, the official said.

    The EC will publish the final voter list on October 10, she said.

    There are a total of 4.83 lakh registered voters in Gujarat, of which 2.50 lakh are men and 2.33 lakh women.

    Apart from this, a total of 51,782 polling stations have been identified after reorganisation, it was stated.

    A campaign for special summary revision of the electoral roll will be conducted across the state on four consecutive Sundays starting August 21, in which right-claims and objection applications will be accepted, she said.

    The EC has also made provisions to link Aadhaar number with electoral roll data in the modified registration forms.

    A new Form-6B has also been introduced for collecting Aadhaar number of existing electors, the official said.

    The EC has recently announced amendments to the laws and regulations related to the electoral roll, whereby any citizen attaining the age of 18 years by April 1, July 1 and October 1 of 2023 can submit an advance application for registration as a voter from the date of draft publication of electoral roll.

    Earlier, those attaining the age of 18 on January 1 were considered eligible to enroll themselves in the voters’ list.

  • Fight for Shiv Sena symbol: SC to hear on August 1 Uddhav faction’s plea against EC proceedings

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on August 1 a fresh plea by Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction against Election Commission proceedings on a petition by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led group for recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli was urged by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Uddhav Thackeray faction, that the ongoing proceedings before the poll panel needed to be stayed as it would impact the hearing here in the case.

    The top court said it would tag the fresh plea and hear it together with pending ones on August 1.

    ALSO READ | Uddhav likens Shiv Sena rebels to ‘rotten leaves’, pitches for mid-term polls

    Recently, the poll panel asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena led by Thackeray and Shinde to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol — bow and arrow — of the political outfit.

    The poll panel sources had said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of rival factions.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on August 1 a fresh plea by Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction against Election Commission proceedings on a petition by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led group for recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli was urged by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Uddhav Thackeray faction, that the ongoing proceedings before the poll panel needed to be stayed as it would impact the hearing here in the case.

    The top court said it would tag the fresh plea and hear it together with pending ones on August 1.

    ALSO READ | Uddhav likens Shiv Sena rebels to ‘rotten leaves’, pitches for mid-term polls

    Recently, the poll panel asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena led by Thackeray and Shinde to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol — bow and arrow — of the political outfit.

    The poll panel sources had said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of rival factions.

  • Shiv Sena faction war: Uddhav group moves SC against bid of Shinde camp to stake claim over party, symbol

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena has moved the Supreme Court against the proceedings of the Election Commission on the plea of the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led group for recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

    The development assumes significance as recently the poll panel has asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena led by Thackeray and Shinde to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol — bow and arrow — of the political outfit.

    The poll panel sources had said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of rival factions.

    The fresh plea has been filed in a pending petition by Subhash Desai, the general secretary of the Shiv Sena and seeks the nod of the top court to make the poll panel also a party.

    The Thackeray faction has also written to the poll panel requesting it not to go ahead with the plea of the Shinde faction in view of the pendency of a batch of petitions in the top court.

    The plea terms the plea of the rival Shinde group to get the poll symbol and the tag of the real Shiv Sena as an act of “desperation”.

    The Thackeray group filed a representation before the EC last week after the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the Commission seeking allocation of the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ election symbol to it, citing the recognition granted to them in the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra Assembly.

    ALSO READ | ‘Revolt this time aimed at finishing off Shiv Sena’: Uddhav Thackeray hits out at Shinde camp

    The top court on July 20 had said the petitions filed by the Shiv Sena and its rebel MLAs during the recent Maharashtra political crisis raised constitutional issues including split, the merger of a political party, defection, and disqualification which may require consideration by a larger bench.

    The bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, meanwhile, had extended the operation of its July 11 order by which it had asked the Assembly Speaker not to proceed with a plea seeking disqualification of MLAs of the Thackeray faction as sought by the Shinde group on grounds of defying the party whip during the trust vote and the election of the speaker.

    The bench is seized of as many as six pending pleas about the recent political crisis in Maharashtra that led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state.

    The first one was filed by the Shinde faction during the summer vacation when some rebel Sena MLAs moved before it challenging the disqualification proceedings initiated by the deputy speaker.

    The rest five pleas have been filed by the Thackeray faction.

    The Shiv Sena split last month when more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs withdrew their support from the Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackeray, throwing their lot with Shinde.

    Shinde was sworn in as the Maharashtra chief minister on June 30 with the support of the BJP.

    NEW DELHI: The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena has moved the Supreme Court against the proceedings of the Election Commission on the plea of the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led group for recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

    The development assumes significance as recently the poll panel has asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena led by Thackeray and Shinde to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol — bow and arrow — of the political outfit.

    The poll panel sources had said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of rival factions.

    The fresh plea has been filed in a pending petition by Subhash Desai, the general secretary of the Shiv Sena and seeks the nod of the top court to make the poll panel also a party.

    The Thackeray faction has also written to the poll panel requesting it not to go ahead with the plea of the Shinde faction in view of the pendency of a batch of petitions in the top court.

    The plea terms the plea of the rival Shinde group to get the poll symbol and the tag of the real Shiv Sena as an act of “desperation”.

    The Thackeray group filed a representation before the EC last week after the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the Commission seeking allocation of the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ election symbol to it, citing the recognition granted to them in the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra Assembly.

    ALSO READ | ‘Revolt this time aimed at finishing off Shiv Sena’: Uddhav Thackeray hits out at Shinde camp

    The top court on July 20 had said the petitions filed by the Shiv Sena and its rebel MLAs during the recent Maharashtra political crisis raised constitutional issues including split, the merger of a political party, defection, and disqualification which may require consideration by a larger bench.

    The bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, meanwhile, had extended the operation of its July 11 order by which it had asked the Assembly Speaker not to proceed with a plea seeking disqualification of MLAs of the Thackeray faction as sought by the Shinde group on grounds of defying the party whip during the trust vote and the election of the speaker.

    The bench is seized of as many as six pending pleas about the recent political crisis in Maharashtra that led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state.

    The first one was filed by the Shinde faction during the summer vacation when some rebel Sena MLAs moved before it challenging the disqualification proceedings initiated by the deputy speaker.

    The rest five pleas have been filed by the Thackeray faction.

    The Shiv Sena split last month when more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs withdrew their support from the Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackeray, throwing their lot with Shinde.

    Shinde was sworn in as the Maharashtra chief minister on June 30 with the support of the BJP.

  • Uddhav vs Shinde: EC takes note of fight over Shiv Sena symbol, seeks submissions by August 8

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde, to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol of the political outfit.

    Election Commission sources said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of the rival factions.

    They said the requirement were made in line with the Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

    Earlier this week, the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the Commission seeking allocation of the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ election symbol to it, citing the recognition granted to them in the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra Assembly.

    The Shiv Sena split last month when more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs withdrew their support from the Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackeray, throwing their lot with Shinde.

    Shinde was sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister on June 30 with support of the BJP.

    On Tuesday last, at least 12 of the 18 Shiv Sena members in the Lok Sabha expressed ‘no confidence’ in floor leader Vinayak Raut and declared Rahul Shewale as their floor leader.

    Lok Sabha Speaker recognised Shewale as the leader the same day.

    To ensure that neither faction is deprived of information, the poll panel has also directed exchange of documents submitted by the two groups over the past two days.

    “This is the initial step, checking may come much later,” explained a former EC official.

    The claim over the symbol assumes significance as the Supreme Court had on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra State Election Commission to notify elections to local bodies within two weeks.

    Elections are due in several civic bodies in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which would indicate which Sena faction gets the popular support.

    Earlier, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the EC, requesting it to hear its views before making any decision on representations for claims over the party name and its poll symbol.

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde, to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol of the political outfit.

    Election Commission sources said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of the rival factions.

    They said the requirement were made in line with the Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

    Earlier this week, the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the Commission seeking allocation of the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ election symbol to it, citing the recognition granted to them in the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra Assembly.

    The Shiv Sena split last month when more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs withdrew their support from the Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackeray, throwing their lot with Shinde.

    Shinde was sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister on June 30 with support of the BJP.

    On Tuesday last, at least 12 of the 18 Shiv Sena members in the Lok Sabha expressed ‘no confidence’ in floor leader Vinayak Raut and declared Rahul Shewale as their floor leader.

    Lok Sabha Speaker recognised Shewale as the leader the same day.

    To ensure that neither faction is deprived of information, the poll panel has also directed exchange of documents submitted by the two groups over the past two days.

    “This is the initial step, checking may come much later,” explained a former EC official.

    The claim over the symbol assumes significance as the Supreme Court had on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra State Election Commission to notify elections to local bodies within two weeks.

    Elections are due in several civic bodies in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which would indicate which Sena faction gets the popular support.

    Earlier, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the EC, requesting it to hear its views before making any decision on representations for claims over the party name and its poll symbol.

  • Rajya Sabha polls: EC gives go-ahead for counting of votes in Maharashtra, Haryana

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission Friday night directed Rajya Sabha election returning officers of Haryana and Maharashtra to go ahead with the counting of votes which was held up following complaints about violation of rules.

    The poll panel also directed the returning officer of Maharashtra to reject the vote cast by Shiv Sena legislator Suhas Kande.

    The top brass of the EC went through detailed reports submitted by the returning officers of the two states, including video footage, before giving the go-ahead for counting, officials said.

    The counting was held up in Maharashtra after the BJP alleged that three MLAs of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) — Cabinet ministers Jitendra Awhad (NCP) and Yashomati Thakur (Congress) and Shiv Sena legislator Suhas Kande — violated the model code for voting.

    The BJP has alleged that Awhad and Thakur handed over their ballots to their party agents instead of only showing them the ballots, while Kande showed his ballot to two different agents. The counting was put on hold in Haryana for identical reasons.

    The BJP and the Independent candidate backed by it have urged the Election Commission to cancel the votes of two Congress MLAs in the state.

    BJP nominee Krishan Lal Panwar and Independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma shot off a missive to the EC, alleging Congress MLAs Kiran Choudhary and B B Batra showed their ballot papers to unauthorised persons after marking them and that the episodes were “duly captured” on cameras.

    The Congress has, meanwhile, approached the Election Commission accusing the BJP of trying to defeat the process of free and fair election to the Rajya Sabha in Haryana and demanded immediate declaration of results.

  • Rajinder Nagar bypoll: Poll code-related violations reported; action taken, says CEO

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Several poll code-related violations have been reported ahead of the Rajinder Nagar bypoll here, after the announcement of its date by the Election Commission, and action has been taken by authorities, a top official said on Friday.

    Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh at a press conference here said these model code of conduct violations relate to defacement of public property and conducting rallies without permission, among others.

    The Delhi CEO told reporters that 14 candidates are in the fray for the upcoming bypoll — three of recognised parties — AAP, BJP and Congress, three of unrecognised parties and eight as independent candidates.

    Asked if any violation of model code of conduct has been reported since the date for the contest was announced by the EC, he said, “Yes, MCC violations have been reported and action also has been taken by authorities”.

    “Under the defacement of property act, such violations have been reported, and eight FIRs also filed — six against the AAP and two against the BJP. Similarly, poll code violations have also been reported for conducting rallies without permission, and police has made two DD (daily diary) entries, one each against AAP and BJP,” Singh said.

    Overall, civic authorities have removed 15,015 posters put up in violation of the model code of conduct, he said. “After the enforcement of the model code of conduct, 299.16 litres of liquor (with market value of more than Rs 94,906) has been seized, while 2,716 persons have been booked under CrPC and DP acts.

    “Under the defacement of property act, 15,015 banners, posters and hoardings have been removed in the Rajinder Nagar constituency and other nearby areas. General observer, expenditure observer and assistant expenditure observer have also been deployed for the by-election,” a statement issued by the Delhi CEO office quoting Singh said.

    The CEO also said all necessary directions have been given to the District Election Officer (DEO), New Delhi, and other authorities for a smooth conduct of the by-election.

    Further, the electoral roll published on June 7, 2022 (with respect to qualifying age as on January 1, 2022) will be used for Assembly Constitution-39 by-election. Also, a single-window system at the Office of the DEO, New Delhi, is in place for issuing permissions regarding meetings, rallies, vehicles, etc.to political parties and candidates.

    Postal ballot facility has been extended to absentee voters, senior citizens (aged above 80) and persons with disability, it said.

    Further, all political parties have been advised to use eco-friendly election campaign material and avoid using single-use plastic, the statement said. A district control room has been set up in the office of the DEO/district magistrate, New Delhi, it said.

    The Delhi CEO told reporters that a total of 1,64,698 electors are eligible to cast vote in the June 23 by-election, while counting of votes will be done on June 26.

    Of the total number of eligible voters for the bypoll, 92,221 are male, 72,473 female and four belong to the third gender, he said. Also, 1,899 voters in this assembly seat are in the 18-19 age group, he added.

    From deployment of security personnel to monitoring poll code violations and from building voter awareness to ensuring necessary facilities, the Delhi CEO office said all preparations are being made to ensure that the upcoming Rajinder Nagar bypoll is inclusive, accessible and fair.

  • 16th Presidential polls to be held on July 18, counting of votes on July 21: Election Commission

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: The 16th Presidential election will be held on July 18 and the counting of votes will be held on July 21, said the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday. Addressing a press conference, Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India said the term of office of President Ram Nath Kovind will be ending on July 24.

    Kumar further said, “The value of the vote of an MP will be 700. Those in preventive detention can vote and those in jail will have to apply for parole and if they get parole, they can vote.”

    He stated that the total value of votes for MLAs for the 16th Presidential Election is 5,43,231. The total value of votes for MPs is 543200. The total value of the vote of electors for the Presidential Election, in 2022 is 10,86,431.

    According to the ECI, the date for notification call is June 15, while last the date for filing nominations is June 29. The ECI further announced that the date for the scrutiny of nominations is June 30 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is 2 July.

    As per Article 62 of the Constitution, an election for the next president must be held before the completion of the incumbent’s term. “A total of 4,809 electors to vote in the Presidential elections in 2022. No political party can issue a whip to its members,” said Kumar.

    As per Article 54 of the Constitution of India, the President is elected by the members of the Electoral College consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all States including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

    The nominated members of either Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha or Legislative Assemblies of the States are not eligible to be included in the Electoral College and therefore, they are not entitled to participate in the election. Similarly, members of the Legislative Councils are also not electors for the Presidential election.

    The value of votes of the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies and both Houses of Parliament is governed by Article 55(2) of the Constitution. Previously, the Presidential election was held on July 17, 2017, while the declaration of the winner was made three days later on July 20.

    Article 324 of the Constitution read with the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974 vests the superintendence, direction and control of the conduct of election to the office of the President of India in the Election Commission of India.

  • Election Commission to announce presidential poll schedule on Thursday at 3 pm

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission will announce the schedule of the election to the office of the President of India on Thursday.

    The poll panel has convened a press conference at 3 pm to announce the schedule. The term of President Ram Nath Kovind ends on July 24 and an election for the next president has to be held before that day.

    The president is elected by the members of the electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament, and elected members of the legislative assemblies of all states including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

    The nominated members of either Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha or legislative assemblies of the states are not eligible to be included in the electoral college and therefore, they are not entitled to participate in the election.

    Similarly, members of the legislative councils are also not electors for the presidential election. In 2017, the presidential polls were held on July 17 and the counting took place on July 20.