According to the revised schedule, BLOs are completing house-to-house verification on December 11, 2025. The draft rolls will be published on December 16, followed by a window for claims and objections until January 15, 2026. Verification and disposal of objections will continue through February 7, along with polling-station rationalisation.

The Supreme Court noted that BLOs face significant pressure due to strenuous fieldwork and emphasised the need for adequate protection. The updated electoral roll is crucial ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

The post West Bengal Electoral Roll Final Publication Extended to February 14, 2026 Amid BLO Safety Concerns appeared first on India Podcast.

Sources said the EC clarified all issues raised by the TMC’s 10-member delegation and warned the party not to influence or threaten Booth Level Officers (BLOs) handling entries of dead, shifted, and duplicate voters. The Commission asked TMC to file claims and objections only after the draft voters’ list is released on December 9.

The EC also questioned why the West Bengal government had not yet disbursed enhanced honorarium to BLOs and rejected Mamata Banerjee’s objections over creating booths inside buildings. It reminded the state that polling station rationalisation must follow existing norms and be completed by December 2025.

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee called the EC’s statements “outright lies,” demanding release of CCTV footage and accusing the Commission of selective leaks. Meanwhile, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari criticised TMC’s approach, adding fuel to the political row.

The post EC-TMC Clash Intensifies as Election Commission Rebuts Allegations in Bengal SIR appeared first on India Podcast.

The breach occurred on Monday, November 24, prompting the ECI to demand immediate corrective steps. The Commission instructed Kolkata Police to ensure comprehensive protection at the CEO office, at officers’ residences, and along their travel routes. It further noted that the ongoing SIR (Systematic Information Revision) process and the approaching 2026 Assembly elections make enhanced security crucial.

The ECI also directed the police to revise and upgrade the security classification for all officials connected to the electoral process. Stressing that such incidents must not recur, the Commission asked for an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 48 hours.

Copies of the communication were forwarded to the West Bengal C

The post ECI security breach, Bengal CEO office, Kolkata Police directive, security upgrade, election commission letter, SIR activities, West Bengal elections 2026, action taken report appeared first on India Podcast.

The summons came after the commission reviewed a report submitted by the DGP on November 13, a day before bypoll results were declared. SAD had alleged misuse of police machinery after nine FIRs were registered and four workers arrested, while six others were named in cases filed across Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Moga, and Batala.

Earlier, the Punjab Police had defended the actions of former Tarn Taran SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal, who was suspended by the ECI on November 8 for alleged misconduct during the election period. The ECI is now seeking further clarification from the DGP as political tensions heighten over the police actions during the campaign.

The post ECI Summons Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav Over FIRs Against Akali Dal Workers During Tarn Taran Bypoll appeared first on India Podcast.

Cheema pointed out a previous complaint in which police officers allegedly followed their candidate’s daughter, Kanchan Preet Kaur, in a vehicle with fake number plates. He said the party expected accountability. However, instead of acting against the officers, the government arrested those who exposed the incident. He called this a serious threat to free political activity.

Moreover, Cheema warned that such actions erode public trust. He said the government wants to intimidate voters and send a message that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has no authority after polling day. According to him, this pattern sets a dangerous tone for future elections.

SAD has now urged the ECI to order an independent investigation. Cheema said only an impartial Observer can restore confidence and ensure that the Tarn Taran episode does not repeat elsewhere.

The post SAD Demands Probe Into Tarn Taran FIRs After By-Poll Result appeared first on India Podcast.

Lakshadweep and Goa completed nearly 100 per cent distribution. Puducherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands achieved more than 89 per cent coverage. Gujarat and Tamil Nadu distributed millions of forms efficiently. West Bengal, going for polls, distributed over 6.8 crore forms.

Uttar Pradesh distributed 10.8 crore forms, covering nearly 70 per cent of its voters. Madhya Pradesh reached 53 per cent coverage, and Rajasthan 70 per cent. More than 5.33 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 7.64 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) are reaching voters across the country. Political parties have appointed additional BLAs to improve verification.

The second phase of Bihar Assembly elections ended peacefully with 68.79 per cent turnout. The average turnout for both phases reached 66.9 per cent, 9.6 per cent higher than the last election. Male voter participation stood at 62.8 per cent, and female participation at 71.6 per cent, marking historic voter engagement.

The post ECI Distributes Over 37 Crore Electoral Forms appeared first on India Podcast.

The Bihar Election Results 2025 counting will begin at 8 a.m., and early trends are expected by mid-morning. Final results are likely by evening. This time, postal ballots will be counted before the last two rounds, giving a clearer picture earlier in the day. Voters can check live trends and official updates on the Election Commission of India’s website (results.eci.gov.in) or the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar’s site.

For instant updates, citizens can follow national and regional news channels, YouTube streams, and the ECI’s “Voter Helpline” mobile app. All 38 districts in Bihar have set up counting centers with full security and monitoring. In 2020, the NDA had secured 125 seats while the Grand Alliance won 110. The 2025 outcome will show if Nitish Kumar’s government returns or if the opposition gains control.

The post Vote Counting Date, Time, and Live Updates appeared first on India Podcast.

At the same time, the commission issued show-cause notices to eight BLOs for violating norms. They allegedly used shortcut methods for distributing enumeration forms from one place instead of visiting homes. Despite an earlier warning, these officers from Cooch Behar, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas repeated the violation, prompting further action.

The ECI directed all Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant EROs to monitor BLOs closely. It warned that handing over forms to third parties, including relatives or friends, would be treated as a serious breach of conduct. The commission stressed that the process must strictly follow ECI guidelines.

Over four crore enumeration forms were distributed by Saturday evening. The total number of voters in West Bengal stands at 7.66 crore. The commission aims to complete distribution by the end of this month, continuing its drive for accurate electoral rolls.

The post ECI Cracks Down on BLOs in Bengal Revision Drive appeared first on India Podcast.

The West Bengal government must nominate officers who satisfy ERO eligibility requirements. Only West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) officials at the ranks of sub-divisional magistrates, sub-divisional officers, or rural development officers can serve as EROs. Officials below these ranks had been wrongly appointed in 78 constituencies.

The ECI is reviewing the rank status of all 294 EROs in West Bengal. Authorities will replace officers in other constituencies if they find similar violations. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal confirmed that voters listed in 2022 remain valid.

Voters not on the 2022 list must provide ECI-approved citizenship documents. Aadhaar cards alone will not suffice. District Magistrates and Additional District Magistrates (elections) will complete the mapping process this week. Afterward, the SIR notification will be issued.

The post ECI Orders Replacement of West Bengal EROs appeared first on India Podcast.

The order follows the Bihar Assembly elections schedule and bye-elections in eight constituencies across six states and Jammu & Kashmir. MCMCs have been set up at district and state levels to supervise the pre-certification process according to ECI guidelines.

Political parties and candidates cannot release ads on any internet-based media without MCMC approval. The committee will monitor paid news cases and act where necessary. Candidates must provide verified social media account details during nomination.

The ECI also instructed parties to submit detailed expenditure statements within 75 days of elections. This includes payments to internet companies, content creation, and social media operational costs. The move aligns with Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Supreme Court directions.

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