ECI Announces 9 Reforms After Commissioners Recorded 14 Objections: Agendas, Minutes, IT Audit

Telangana's Khairatabad Seat Vacant After Danam Nagender Disqualified Under Anti-Defection Law

The Telangana Legislative Assembly has officially notified the disqualification of BRS MLA Danam Nagender from the Khairatabad constituency after the Supreme Court upheld the High Court order under anti-defection law. The seat is now vacant, and the Election Commission will announce a by-election schedule.

ECINet Centralization: Election Commissioners Flag RP Act 1950 Violation to Cabinet Secretary

The Election Commission's ECINet platform centralized control of the electoral roll, violating the decentralized framework of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, repeatedly flagged this internal breach, and an unprecedented complaint was escalated to the Cabinet Secretary after oversight of the IT division was removed. This rift within the ECI threatens electoral integrity and raises fundamental questions about legal compliance.

ECI Delists 334 RUPPs; ₹11,813 Cr Tax Exemption Lost on Political Donations – Need for CAG Audit

Political parties in India enjoy unprecedented tax exemptions and opacity in donations. A recent BBC investigation and ADR report reveal that Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) received huge donations without contesting elections. The exchequer lost ₹11,813 crore in taxes over a decade. The Election Commission lacks power to deregister shell parties, and the author calls for mandatory CAG audit, expenditure limits, and a digital portal for financial transparency.

Two Election Commissioners Flag Unauthorised Changes to Electoral Rolls and ERONet Access | Dissent Challenges CEC Powers

Two Election Commissioners appointed under the 2023 law have publicly questioned the centralisation of electoral roll management, unauthorised changes to Form 6, and restrictions on state-level officials' access to ERONet. This exposes internal rifts in the Election Commission and raises critical questions about the balance of power between the CEC and ECs, the autonomy of state election machinery, and the sanctity of the electoral process under the new legal framework.

ECI's Special Intensive Revision Deletes 13 Crore Names, Overhaul Demanded After SC Ruling

The Election Commission's press note after internal discord over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is mere damage control, leaving lakhs of deleted voters without redress. This editorial exposes deep flaws in the electoral roll revision process and demands reconstitution of the ECI to safeguard democratic integrity.

Right to Vote: Statutory vs Fundamental Right Debate After EC Rift & Goa Voter Exclusion

An unprecedented rift within the Election Commission, exposed by an Indian Express investigation, has reignited the debate on whether the 'right to vote' should be elevated from a statutory right (under the RPA, 1951) to a Fundamental Right under the Constitution. This is critical for UPSC as it touches upon basic structure doctrine, Article 326, and judicial interpretations from landmark cases like Kuldip Nayar and Anoop Baranwal.

ECI SIR Process: 93% Inclusion Rate in WB Appeals; SC Hearing on Voter Deletions in Delhi & WB

The ECI's SIR process has led to massive disenfranchisement in West Bengal and Delhi. With only 3.2% of appeals disposed and 93% of those restored, the process is deeply flawed. The Supreme Court is hearing petitions; this has major implications for electoral integrity and universal adult franchise.

ECI Freezes Trinamool Congress Name & Symbol: 41% West Bengal Voters Affected, 'Party Theft' Alleged

ECI on September 17, 2026 froze the name and symbol of the Trinamool Congress due to rival faction claims. This action affects over 2.60 crore voters (41% of West Bengal electorate) and has been accused by opposition parties as 'party theft' and a sign of democratic decline, raising serious questions about the neutrality of the Election Commission.