Sanjay Kumar Verma, a 1990-batch IPS officer, has been appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra, replacing Rashmi Shukla who was removed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) amid allegations of phone tapping. Verma’s appointment comes ahead of the crucial Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20.
Indian markets rallied, Adani Ports saw strong earnings, Ola Electric shares crashed, and Swiggy is set for its IPO. Meanwhile, Hezbollah appointed a new leader and the Election Commission rejected Congress claims on Haryana polls.
The Election Commission of India has banned the release of exit polls in Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly elections, as well as bypolls in two parliamentary and 48 legislative constituencies. The ban, effective from November 13th to 20th, aims to ensure a fair and level playing field during the elections.
A massive cash seizure of ₹5 crore from a car during a police check in Maharashtra has ignited a political firestorm ahead of the upcoming state elections. Opposition parties have accused the ruling government of using the money for electoral purposes, while the ruling coalition has vehemently denied any involvement. The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding large cash transactions in the lead-up to elections and has raised concerns about transparency and fair play.
In a significant move, the Mumbai Police Department has transferred 15 Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)-rank officers, with the reshuffle likely linked to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) directive to ensure impartiality ahead of the state elections. This transfer follows a larger reshuffle involving over 100 police personnel, including an additional commissioner and several inspectors, as the ECI seeks to ensure fair and transparent elections.
Following a review meeting sparked by the Congress’s underwhelming performance in the Haryana Assembly elections, the party has decided to form a technical team to investigate alleged discrepancies in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The decision comes after Congress leaders raised concerns about irregularities in EVMs, including battery capacity variations, during the vote counting process.
The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Rajiv Kumar, has reviewed preparations for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, emphasizing the need for the polls to be completed before the current assembly term ends on November 26th. He met with leaders of 11 political parties, who raised concerns about the scheduling of elections in relation to major festivals. The CEC also stressed the importance of addressing urban voter apathy and ensuring adequate facilities at polling stations.
The Indian government’s proposal for simultaneous elections, ‘One Nation, One Election,’ faces significant hurdles. The implementation would require substantial constitutional amendments, potentially altering the balance of power and requiring significant political consensus.
While the Election Commission of India enjoys widespread credibility for conducting national elections, State Election Commissions (SECs) responsible for local elections are facing systemic disempowerment, leading to delays and undermining local governance. This article advocates for crucial reforms to strengthen SECs and ensure timely, fair elections for panchayats and urban local bodies.
The Election Commission of India has announced that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases in September 2024. The first phase will be on September 18, the second phase on September 25, and the third phase on October 1. This marks the return of elections to the region after a decade-long hiatus.
