Chennai, March 24 (IANS) With polling fast approaching, election observers in Tamil Nadu have recommended the deployment of drones to intensify surveillance against cash-for-vote practices, particularly in urban clusters where monitoring remains a challenge. The suggestion emerged during a review meeting led by the Special Observer, bringing together general and expenditure observers from key districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram.The discussions centred on plugg…
Latest Model Code of Conduct News & Updates
Kolkata, March 23 (IANS) The BJP on Monday said it would lodge a complaint with the Election Commission over Trinamool Congress Asansol Member of Parliament Shatrughan Sinha’s alleged use of a vehicle fitted with a blue beacon while campaigning for the Assembly elections in West Burdwan district, West Bengal.The controversy erupted after Sinha, by virtue of being a Member of Parliament, entitled to a blue‑beacon vehicle, arrived at a campaign event on Sunday in support of Trinamool candidate…
Kolkata, Mar 20 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Friday, accused an officer-in-charge of a police station in his native district of East Midnapore of making a WhatsApp call to a prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from the district and asking the latter to join Trinamool Congress. “The day when the list of BJP candidates was announced by our leadership, our prominent leader from the district, Biswanath Banerjee, who was expected to be …
Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) The Election Commission on Thursday sought a report from the West Bengal government after it announced the grant of an ad hoc bonus to civic volunteers under both the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police, as well as village police volunteers under the West Bengal Police, for the financial year 2025-26.The announcement was made through a notification issued from the state secretariat, Nabanna.According to administrative sources, the announcement — made ahead of the elec…
Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote another letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, expressing anguish over the large-scale transfer and deputation of bureaucrats and police officers from the state since the Model Code of Conduct came into force on Sunday afternoon. She also accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of unconstitutionally undermining the authority of the elected state government.“While the state is heading towa…
Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) The new West Bengal Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala and state Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh visited the Raj Bhavan on Thursday to meet the new Governor R.N. Ravi. According to an insider at the State Secretariat Nabanna, they remained there for nearly 30 minutes. This marks the first instance since assuming office that Governor Ravi has met with any administrative official of the state government, besides meeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others during the o…
Chennai, March 19(IANS) As Tamil Nadu gears up for the Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has unveiled a comprehensive set of measures aimed at enhancing voter convenience and strengthening transparency in the polling process. The initiatives focus on improving on-ground facilities, leveraging technology, and boosting voter participation across the state. Recognising that a large number of polling stations function from schools and colleges, election authorities are upgra…
Vellore, March 19 (IANS) The century-old weekly cattle market at Poigai near Vellore in Tamil Nadu, known for drawing thousands of traders every Tuesday, has witnessed a sharp decline in activity following the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the upcoming Assembly elections.Located near the Poigai bus stand along the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway, about 10 kilometres from Vellore, the market has long served as a key trading hub for livestock in the region.On a typical Tues…
Aizawl, March 18 (IANS) The Mizoram State Election Commission (SEC) on Wednesday announced that elections to the 19-member Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) will be held on April 21. State Election Commissioner H. Lalthlangliana, while announcing the schedule, said the statutory notification for the AMC elections was issued on Wednesday. The last date for filing nominations has been set for March 25. Scrutiny of nominations and allotment of symbols will take place on March 27, while March 30 is…
Chennai, March 18 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has seized unaccounted cash and goods worth ₹23.28 crore across Tamil Nadu within just two days, as intensified surveillance measures come into force ahead of the Assembly elections. According to a statement issued by Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, strict monitoring is underway in all 234 Assembly constituencies to curb violations of the Model Code of Conduct.The large-scale seizures highlight the Commission’s aggressi…