NDA explores 2029 election alignment

The NDA is reportedly exploring the possibility of holding Assembly elections in 22 NDA-ruled states and Union Territories alongside the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, potentially bringing forward the first phase of simultaneous polls from the 2034 timeline currently envisaged under the proposed legislation.

The plan, if pursued, could involve dissolving several state Assemblies before the completion of their existing terms. The move would represent a significant change from the election cycle outlined in the One Nation One Election Bills currently being examined by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

What the current Bills propose

The Joint Committee of Parliament was constituted in December 2024 to examine the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Under the framework proposed in the Bills, the terms of Assemblies elected after the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following a general election would be adjusted so that their elections could eventually be synchronised.

As the Bills currently stand, the earliest full cycle of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections would be in 2034.

However, the reported NDA proposal would seek to achieve an earlier alignment by using the constitutional mechanism for dissolving state Assemblies.

22 states could be brought into cycle

Of the 22 NDA-ruled states and UTs reportedly being considered, 11 are scheduled to face Assembly elections during the two years preceding the 2029 Lok Sabha election.

Four NDA-ruled states — Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha — already hold Assembly elections alongside Lok Sabha polls.

If the NDA retains its governments in the other states, their Assemblies could potentially be dissolved before their scheduled terms end, allowing elections to be held alongside the 2029 general election.

The proposal would require some states to accept significantly shortened Assembly terms.

Terms could be cut by years

Under the reported plan, Goa, Gujarat, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand could see their Assembly terms shortened by around three years.

Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Rajasthan and Tripura could face reductions of around four years because their elections are currently scheduled for 2027 or 2028.

Delhi has also indicated that it could consider adjusting its Assembly tenure if necessary to align elections nationally.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has expressed a willingness to consider such an adjustment in the national interest.

Opposition raises constitutional concerns

The proposal is likely to intensify the political debate around One Nation One Election, particularly because several Opposition-ruled states have election schedules that do not coincide with the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

Punjab is due for Assembly elections in 2027, while Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Mizoram and Telangana are scheduled for elections in 2028.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh reiterated the party's opposition to simultaneous elections, describing the proposal as unconstitutional, anti-democratic and detrimental to political accountability.

The Congress and other Opposition parties had also opposed the introduction of the One Nation One Election Bills in Parliament in 2024.

Committee says decision lies with states

Joint Parliamentary Committee chairman P P Chaudhary has indicated that deciding whether elections should be brought forward to 2029 is outside the committee's mandate.

He said the matter would be for NDA Chief Ministers to decide.

The committee has meanwhile continued consultations with state governments, legislators, constitutional experts, academics, legal professionals and other stakeholders. It is expected to submit its report during the Winter Session of Parliament.

Why 2029 matters

Synchronising elections in 2029 would represent a major acceleration of the One Nation One Election proposal. Instead of waiting until the 2034 cycle contemplated by the current Bills, the NDA would seek to create an electoral alignment within the next Lok Sabha term.

However, such a move would require political coordination across states and could trigger major constitutional and political questions over shortened Assembly terms, the autonomy of state governments and the federal structure.

For now, the 2029 proposal remains under discussion. Whether the NDA-ruled states agree to dissolve their Assemblies early — and whether the broader legislative framework receives Parliament's approval — will determine whether simultaneous elections can move from a proposal to an actual electoral timetable.

A Surat-based Right to Information (RTI) activist has sought an official investigation into the financial background of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and his family, raising questions about the funding of his higher education in the United States and the functioning of the organisation.

The complaints have been submitted to the Maharashtra government, the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), seeking inquiries into the family's income, assets and CJP's financial operations.

Questions Raised Over US Education Funding

RTI activist Amit Tiwari has alleged that Abhijeet Dipke's father, Bhagwanrao Dipke, worked as a Junior Engineer (JE) with the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and reportedly earned a monthly salary of around ₹60,000 to ₹65,000.

In his complaint, Tiwari has asked authorities to examine how the family financed the higher education of their children in the United States based on their declared income.

He has also urged the Maharashtra government to verify the family's income sources and assets.

Seeks Inquiry Into CJP's Functioning

The activist has further alleged that the Cockroach Janata Party is functioning as a political organisation without being registered with the Election Commission while collecting public donations.

In his representation to the ECI, Tiwari requested the Commission to examine whether CJP should be registered as a political party under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, if it is operating as one and raising public funds.

Complaint Over ₹1 Crore Legal Defence Fund

In a separate complaint submitted to the CBIC, Tiwari questioned the ₹1 crore contribution announced by Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal towards the CJP Legal Defence Fund.

He has sought an examination of whether the contribution attracts 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) under applicable laws.

The activist also alleged that although CJP initially campaigned on the NEET paper leak issue, its activities later expanded beyond student-related concerns. He further claimed that complaints had been submitted regarding remarks allegedly made during protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his late mother and his alleged foreign connections.

These allegations have been made by the complainant and have not been independently verified or adjudicated by the authorities.

Legal Defence Fund Announced for Students

On July 27, the Cockroach Janata Party announced the creation of a Legal Defence Fund to provide legal assistance to students facing criminal cases related to protests over the alleged NEET paper leak.

During the announcement, Kapil Sibal pledged ₹1 crore to the fund and appealed to lawyers across the country to contribute.

According to CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, the fund was established amid concerns that students could face criminal proceedings despite assurances from the Union government. He said the organisation was coordinating with Supreme Court lawyers to provide legal representation.

About Abhijeet Dipke

Abhijeet Dipke, 30, is a digital media strategist from Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. He studied journalism in Pune and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Relations at Boston University in the United States. He has previously worked with the Aam Aadmi Party.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its decision in the case concerning the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs), with the court now expected to decide whether petitions challenging the 2023 law governing their selection should be referred to a five-judge bench. Defending the law before the court, the Centre argued that it would be wrong to presume that the Prime Minister and a Union minister would act with “bad intentions” or against democracy simply because they hold a numerical majority in the selection committee. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre before a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma, questioned the argument that the Prime Minister’s role in the selection process should itself raise concerns. He asked whether, if the Prime Minister’s decision could not be trusted, a similar requirement would have to be introduced while choosing members of the Union Cabinet, requiring consultation with a former judge or an outside person.

Justice Datta responded that the issue before the court was not about whether the Prime Minister could be trusted. He said there was no question of the court refusing to place trust in the Prime Minister and recalled that the Supreme Court had previously expressed confidence that people with criminal backgrounds would not be inducted as ministers. The larger concern, the bench indicated, was the independence of the Election Commissioners and whether the composition of the selection committee should also visibly demonstrate impartiality. Justice Datta observed that the court was not saying the present committee had failed to achieve fairness, but pointed to the numerical structure of the panel — two members on the Prime Minister’s side and one representing the Opposition. The observations have brought the focus back to the composition of the selection committee and whether the process provides sufficient institutional safeguards while appointing officials who are expected to function independently while overseeing elections in the country.

The dispute centres on the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which was passed by Parliament in December 2023 and received presidential assent on December 29 that year. Petitioners challenging the law have argued that it goes against the Supreme Court’s 2023 judgment because the Chief Justice of India was excluded from the process for appointing the CEC and Election Commissioners. Under the 2023 law, the selection committee consists of the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. If there is no recognised Leader of Opposition, the leader of the largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha becomes part of the panel. The controversy largely revolves around this change in the composition of the committee and the removal of the CJI from the appointment mechanism. With arguments now heard, the Supreme Court has reserved its decision on whether the challenge to the law requires consideration by a larger five-judge bench. The outcome will be closely watched because the case deals directly with the appointment mechanism for the Election Commission, one of the country's key constitutional institutions, and the broader question of how independence and visible impartiality should be maintained in the selection process.

 Polling for the Datia Assembly by-election is progressing peacefully, with 32.53% voter turnout recorded by 11 am on Thursday. Long queues of voters were seen at several polling stations across urban and rural areas as electors turned out in significant numbers to cast their votes.

Voting began at 7 am across 291 polling stations and will continue until 6 pm. A total of 2,20,400 registered voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the bypoll.

Three EVM-Related Technical Issues Resolved Before Polling

Before voting commenced, technical issues were reported at three polling stations during the mandatory mock poll exercise.

According to Collector and District Election Officer Swapnil Wankhede, the issues involved a VVPAT machine at Polling Station 186, a Ballot Unit (BU) at Polling Station 108, and a Control Unit (CU) at Polling Station 290.

All faulty equipment was replaced in the presence of polling agents and under CCTV surveillance before polling officially began, ensuring that voting started on schedule without affecting the election process.

Village Boycott Ends After Administrative Intervention

In Lakhanpur village of Basai area, residents initially boycotted the election, raising the slogan "No Road, No Vote" to demand construction of the village's main approach road.

Following the protest, SDM Ashok Awasthi reached the village and held discussions with residents. After assurances from the administration, nearly 50 villagers agreed to participate in the voting process.

Candidates Express Confidence

After casting his vote, Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh expressed confidence about the party's prospects, claiming that voters would reject what he described as the BJP's "arrogance." He also alleged that a Congress polling agent was not allowed to enter a polling booth in the Basai area.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari visited the revered Pitambara Peeth Temple before polling began, offering prayers for Datia's development, employment opportunities for youth, and a peaceful district. Later, he visited Polling Station No. 158 to interact with BJP polling agents and claimed the party was receiving strong public support.

Security Tightened Across Constituency

To ensure free and fair polling, extensive security arrangements have been deployed across the constituency.

Additional Superintendent of Police Manjit Singh Chawla inspected several polling stations during the day, while Collector Swapnil Wankhede confirmed that polling was proceeding peacefully and systematically throughout the constituency.

Live Updates During Polling

Several developments were reported during the course of voting:

• Former Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra's son Sukarn Mishra cast his vote and appealed to voters to support development-oriented governance.

• BJP filed a complaint with the Election Commission over an allegedly fake social media post claiming the removal of the party's district president, accusing unidentified individuals of attempting to mislead voters.

• Rain overnight left muddy conditions outside a polling station in Badonkala village, causing inconvenience to voters.

• Former BSP candidate Lokendra Netaji claimed that an Independent candidate would only divide votes rather than emerge victorious.

• DIG Sunil Kumar Jain inspected polling stations and reviewed security arrangements.

• Elderly and first-time voters shared positive experiences after exercising their franchise, while polling remained peaceful across sensitive locations.

Background of the Bypoll

The Datia Assembly by-election was necessitated after the membership of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was automatically terminated following his conviction and sentence exceeding two years.

The vacancy was declared under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, in line with the Supreme Court's judgment in the Lily Thomas vs Union of India case and Article 191(1)(e) of the Constitution.

Polling is continuing peacefully, with election officials expecting voter turnout to increase during the afternoon hours.

India’s Gen Z is emerging as a political force that parties can no longer treat merely as a social-media audience. By the 2029 Lok Sabha election, nearly everyone born in the first decade of this century will be eligible to vote, placing a vast generation of young adults at the centre of India’s electoral contest.

Definitions of Gen Z vary, but it generally covers people born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s. India already has more than 382 million people aged between 10 and 24, according to the United Nations Population Fund. Not all are voters, and it would be misleading to describe the entire group as an electoral bloc today. The demographic scale, however, is unmistakable.

The Election Commission recorded more than 96.88 crore registered electors ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Its electoral atlas separately identifies voters aged 18 to 29 as the youngest major age cohort, though their proportion varies considerably across states and Union Territories.

Not One Voting Bloc

The phrase “Gen Z vote” can create the false impression that young Indians think alike. They do not.

An engineering graduate seeking a government job in Bhopal may have different priorities from a gig worker in Bengaluru, a tribal student in Bastar, a first-time woman voter in rural Madhya Pradesh or a young entrepreneur in Mumbai.

Caste, religion, gender, income, language, education and location continue to shape voting behaviour. Family preferences and local political networks also remain influential, particularly outside large cities.

Gen Z’s importance therefore does not come from uniformity. It comes from scale and from the possibility that a few shared concerns could influence close contests across many constituencies.

Jobs Are The Fault Line

Employment is likely to remain the most powerful issue.

A recent Reuters assessment of India’s youth crisis placed youth unemployment at 9.9%, more than three times the overall rate. It also highlighted a deeper frustration: even educated young people often struggle to convert qualifications into secure, salaried work.

The concern is not simply whether jobs exist. Young voters increasingly judge the quality of work—salary, security, career growth and whether their education has any connection to available opportunities.

Government vacancies, delayed recruitment, cancelled examinations and paper leaks sharpen this anxiety. A candidate may spend years preparing for one examination, only to face postponement, litigation or allegations of fraud.

That makes examination integrity an economic issue, not merely an education issue.

NEET Changed The Mood

The NEET paper leak controversy demonstrated how quickly a student grievance can become a national political challenge.

What began as anger over an examination expanded into a wider debate about institutional credibility, unemployment and the treatment of protesters. Youth-led mobilisation eventually forced policy concessions and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, according to multiple reports.

The episode challenged the assumption that young Indians are politically apathetic. It showed that satire, short-form videos and decentralised digital networks can bring together people who do not belong to traditional student unions or political parties.

However, protest strength does not automatically translate into votes. Electoral influence requires registration, turnout, constituency-level organisation and a clear choice among candidates.

Politics Moves To Phones

Gen Z encounters politics differently from earlier generations.

Political messages now travel through reels, memes, YouTube explainers, messaging groups, influencers and short clips extracted from speeches. This creates faster engagement but also a more fragmented information environment.

Research on Indian social media has documented coordinated political amplification, including campaigns that slightly alter the same message and distribute it across accounts and platforms. Other studies have shown how organised WhatsApp networks were used to influence political trends during earlier Indian elections.

Young voters may be skilled internet users, but that does not automatically make them resistant to manipulated content. Deepfakes, misleading edits and emotionally charged misinformation will become a larger election risk by 2029.

Parties that rely only on viral content may win attention without building trust.

MP-CG Stakes Are High

The Gen Z shift will matter greatly in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where education, recruitment and migration remain major youth concerns.

In both states, large numbers of students prepare for medical, engineering, teaching, police and administrative examinations. Young people from smaller towns often move to Bhopal, Indore, Raipur, Delhi, Kota or other educational centres, placing financial pressure on families.

In tribal and rural districts, the concerns can be different: access to colleges, internet connectivity, transport, language barriers and the absence of formal employment close to home.

A political party that speaks only about start-ups and artificial intelligence may fail to connect with a young voter waiting for a delayed constable recruitment result. Equally, a party promising only government jobs cannot address the aspirations of a generation entering private employment, freelancing and entrepreneurship.

What Parties Must Change

Political parties will need to move beyond symbolic youth outreach.

They must publish credible recruitment calendars, protect examination systems, expand apprenticeships and explain how economic growth will produce stable employment. They will also need candidates who can answer difficult questions directly rather than relying on slogans or staged social-media interactions.

Policies on affordable education, housing, public transport, mental wellbeing, digital rights and climate resilience may gain greater electoral weight.

The strongest youth message will not necessarily come from the party with the largest digital campaign. It may come from the party that can show measurable delivery.

Power Depends On Turnout

Gen Z could become one of India’s most influential political generations by 2029, but demographics alone do not guarantee power.

Millions of eligible young people must first register correctly, remain on electoral rolls and vote. They must also distinguish between political participation and online performance.

For parties, the warning is clear: young citizens cannot be treated only as beneficiaries, volunteers or social-media followers. They are increasingly demanding accountability as voters.

For India’s Gen Z voters, the next step is equally important. Protest can force attention, but sustained electoral participation will determine whether that attention changes public policy.

Key Numbers

The age groups above do not exactly match the definition of Gen Z. They indicate the demographic and electoral scale rather than the precise number of Gen Z voters.

Complaint Reaches EC

The Bharatiya Janata Party has filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari over remarks alleging that cash and liquor could be distributed to influence voters in the Datia Assembly bypoll.

BJP Rejects Allegations

The ruling party described the claims as baseless and sought action against Patwari. The complaint adds another layer of confrontation to a campaign already marked by sharp exchanges between senior leaders.

Development Takes Centre Stage

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held roadshows for BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari and asked voters to support the party on its development record. The Congress has focused on accountability and local dissatisfaction.

Voting Set for July 30

The bypoll has attracted attention because it offers an immediate test of political momentum in Madhya Pradesh. Election authorities have also increased monitoring of cash, liquor and other inducements during the campaign.

Result Carries Wider Signal

Although one constituency cannot determine the statewide mood, the outcome will shape political messaging for both parties. A close result may also influence their strategy for upcoming local and Assembly contests.

 The Supreme Court has clarified that the removal of a person's name from the electoral roll does not result in the loss of Indian citizenship. The court observed that voting rights and citizenship are two distinct legal issues, and the final authority to determine a person's citizenship rests solely with the Central Government under the due process of law.

The observation came during the hearing of petitions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, where several individuals alleged that their names had been removed from the voter list without proper justification.

Background of the Case

During the SIR exercise conducted in West Bengal in May 2026, numerous complaints emerged regarding the deletion of names from the electoral rolls. Several affected individuals approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the removal of their names from the voter list was being wrongly linked to questions over their Indian citizenship.

Taking note of these concerns, the apex court stressed that electoral eligibility and citizenship are governed by separate legal frameworks.

What the Supreme Court Said

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that while the Election Commission has the constitutional authority to conduct a limited verification of citizenship for the purpose of preparing accurate electoral rolls, such verification does not amount to a determination of citizenship.

The court clarified that any action taken by the Election Commission in this regard is limited to electoral eligibility and cannot be interpreted as a declaration that an individual has lost Indian citizenship.

Election Commission Cannot Decide Citizenship

The Bench further stated that the Election Commission's powers are confined to maintaining electoral rolls. The authority to decide whether a person is an Indian citizen lies exclusively with the Central Government under the provisions of the Citizenship Act and other applicable laws.

The judges reiterated that citizenship can only be taken away through a legally prescribed procedure and not merely because a person's name no longer appears on the voter list.

Significance of the Ruling

The Supreme Court's clarification is expected to provide relief to individuals whose names have been removed from electoral rolls during revision exercises. It also reinforces the distinction between electoral rights and citizenship, preventing unnecessary confusion among voters.

Legal experts believe the observation will serve as an important judicial precedent in future disputes involving voter registration and citizenship, while also clearly defining the constitutional roles of the Election Commission and the Central Government.

The ruling underscores that the absence of a person's name from the electoral roll may affect the right to vote, but it does not, by itself, affect the person's status as an Indian citizen.

The Datia district administration has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, across the entire Datia subdivision following violent protests over the BJP's candidate selection for the upcoming assembly bypoll. The prohibitory orders came into effect at 9 pm on July 10 and will remain in force until further notice.

The decision follows large-scale demonstrations triggered by the BJP's decision to field Ashutosh Tiwari instead of former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra for the Datia Assembly by-election. The protests escalated into a prolonged blockade on the Gwalior-Jhansi National Highway, leading to traffic disruption, stone-pelting and damage to several vehicles.

Restrictions Under Section 163

Under the new orders issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), no public meetings, rallies, processions, demonstrations or protests can be organised without prior permission from the administration.

The order also prohibits gatherings of more than five people at one place without official approval. Carrying weapons such as sticks, swords, spears, axes, knives or other dangerous objects in public has also been banned.

Authorities have further restricted the use of loudspeakers, public address systems and other sound-amplifying devices without permission.

Monitoring Social Media and Public Messaging

The administration has warned against circulating any content through social media, posters, banners, slogans or speeches that could disturb communal harmony or affect law and order during the election period.

Officials said strict monitoring will be carried out to ensure compliance with the Election Commission's guidelines as well as to maintain peace throughout the bypoll campaign.

Residents have been urged not to believe rumours and to rely only on official information issued by the administration.

Action After Highway Blockade

The administration cited the 15–20 kilometre traffic jam on the Jhansi-Gwalior National Highway during the protests on the night of July 10 as one of the key reasons for imposing the restrictions.

According to officials, the blockade caused severe inconvenience to commuters, while incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism were also reported.

The prohibitory orders are intended to prevent a recurrence of such incidents during the election period.

Additional Laws to Be Enforced

Besides Section 163 of the BNSS, authorities said provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, the Madhya Pradesh Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1994, the Madhya Pradesh Noise Control Act, 1985, and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 will also be enforced strictly.

The restrictions, however, will not apply to police personnel, Home Guards, CRPF, other central armed police forces, or government and judicial officials performing official duties.

Administration Warns of Strict Action

District Collector Swapnil Wankhede said ensuring a peaceful, free and transparent Datia Assembly by-election remains the administration's highest priority.

He warned that anyone violating the prohibitory orders would face legal action under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additional police forces have already been deployed, and surveillance has been intensified in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

With Section 163 now in force, political activity in Datia is expected to continue under heightened security as campaigning for the July 30 bypoll gathers momentum.

The SIR exercise, conducted by the Election Commission to verify and update voter lists, is aimed at ensuring that electoral rolls remain accurate and free from duplication, ineligible entries or outdated records. Such revisions are considered a crucial part of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process ahead of major elections.

Political observers note that opposition parties, which have often criticized electoral procedures in the past, appear relatively comfortable with the current revision exercise. Governments led by opposition parties in states like Punjab and Karnataka have not raised significant objections to the process and have largely cooperated with election authorities during voter verification drives.

The emerging political narrative has drawn attention because the BJP has traditionally positioned itself as a strong advocate of voter list purification and electoral transparency. However, party leaders and supporters have expressed concerns in some areas regarding the implementation of the revision process, alleging that genuine voters should not face inconvenience during verification and documentation procedures.

Election officials maintain that the objective of SIR is not to remove legitimate voters but to ensure that electoral rolls accurately reflect eligible citizens. The process typically involves door-to-door verification, scrutiny of records and opportunities for voters to submit claims and objections if discrepancies are found.

Experts point out that electoral roll revisions often become politically sensitive because changes in voter lists can influence electoral calculations. As a result, parties across the political spectrum tend to scrutinize the process closely, particularly in states heading toward important elections.

The current debate has also highlighted how political positions on electoral reforms can shift depending on regional circumstances and electoral considerations. While opposition-ruled states have largely accepted the ongoing revision exercise, BJP leaders have emphasized the need for transparency and safeguards to prevent the exclusion of eligible voters.

Election Commission officials have reiterated that the revision process follows established legal procedures and includes mechanisms for citizens to challenge any errors in the voter rolls. Authorities have urged voters to participate actively in the verification process and ensure that their details are correctly recorded.

As the SIR exercise progresses, political parties are expected to continue monitoring its implementation closely. The issue is likely to remain part of the broader discussion on electoral reforms, voter registration and the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

The nomination process for Assembly by-elections in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar has officially begun after the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued the notification on July 6. The bypolls will be held for Datia (Madhya Pradesh), Manjalpur (Gujarat) and Bankipur (Bihar) Assembly constituencies, with polling scheduled for July 30 if required.

According to the Election Commission, candidates can file their nomination papers until July 13, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on July 14. The last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed as July 16. Counting of votes will be conducted on August 3, and the entire election process is scheduled to be completed by August 4.

Bypoll Schedule Announced

The Election Commission has released the following schedule for the three Assembly constituencies:

Notification Issued: July 6, 2026

Last Date for Filing Nominations: July 13, 2026

Scrutiny of Nominations: July 14, 2026

Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature: July 16, 2026

Polling (if required): July 30, 2026 (7:00 AM to 6:00 PM)

Counting of Votes: August 3, 2026 (from 8:00 AM onwards)

Completion of Election Process: August 4, 2026

Paid Leave for Voters

The Election Commission has directed the concerned state governments to ensure strict compliance with provisions related to paid leave for eligible voters.

Under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every employee working in any business establishment, industrial unit, commercial organisation or other institution who is eligible to vote in the by-election must be granted paid leave on polling day without any deduction in wages.

The provision also applies to daily wage earners and casual workers. Employers violating these provisions may face penalties under the law.

The Commission further clarified that voters registered in the concerned Assembly constituencies but working outside their constituency in industrial or commercial establishments will also be entitled to paid leave so they can exercise their franchise.

Dry Days Announced

The Election Commission has also instructed the respective state governments to enforce dry days in accordance with Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

No sale, distribution or serving of liquor will be permitted in the polling areas during the 48 hours preceding the close of polling. The restriction will also apply in the event of repoll, if required.

Additionally, August 3, the day of vote counting, will also be observed as a dry day in the concerned constituencies.

The Commission has directed state authorities to ensure strict implementation of these statutory provisions to facilitate free, fair and peaceful elections.

The internal conflict within the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified, with the party's rival factions now taking their battle to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The faction led by Mamata Banerjee has formally submitted a revised National Executive Committee to the poll body, seeking to reinforce its claim over the party's organisational structure. The move comes amid a growing challenge from a rebel group headed by Rittabrata Banerjee, which is also preparing to stake its claim over the party's leadership, name, and election symbol. The latest developments mark a significant escalation in the power struggle that emerged following the party's disappointing performance in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Political observers believe the dispute could become one of the most closely watched organisational battles in recent years, with implications extending beyond state politics.

The revised organisational list submitted by the Mamata Banerjee camp names her as the party chairperson and Abhishek Banerjee as national general secretary. The list also includes senior leaders such as Chandrima Bhattacharya, Derek O'Brien, Dola Sen and Subhasish Chakraborty in key organisational positions.

According to party sources, the revised committee was finalised and sent to the Election Commission while the rival faction was simultaneously holding a special convention in New Town, Kolkata. The convention reportedly focused on creating an alternative national leadership structure for the party.

Rival Claims Intensify

The Rittabrata Banerjee-led faction has claimed that it enjoys majority support within the party's legislative wing. During its convention, the group announced a separate National Executive Committee that excluded both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee from leadership positions.

The rebel camp elected Arup Roy as chairperson, while Rittabrata Banerjee was appointed among the party's general secretaries. The faction has indicated that it plans to formally submit its organisational structure to the Election Commission in the coming days.

Meanwhile, several leaders who were earlier associated with the party's official organisational structure have reportedly been removed from key positions. The development highlights the widening divide within the Trinamool Congress.

Election Commission's Role

The dispute now centers on which faction represents the legitimate organisational and legislative majority of the party. Under election laws, the Election Commission has the authority to examine claims related to party leadership, organisational control, and ownership of election symbols.

Political analysts note that such cases typically involve scrutiny of party constitutions, support among elected representatives, and backing within organisational units. If the Election Commission is unable to reach a definitive conclusion, the matter could eventually move to the judiciary.

The confrontation comes at a sensitive time for West Bengal politics. The Trinamool Congress has dominated the state's political landscape for over a decade, making the outcome of the leadership dispute significant for both the party and its opponents.

With both camps preparing legal and organisational arguments to support their claims, the battle over the Trinamool Congress name, symbol, and leadership is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. The Election Commission's decision could shape the future direction of the party and influence political alignments ahead of upcoming electoral contests.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has entered the final phase of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, a nationwide voter verification campaign aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of electoral rolls. As part of the initiative, around 30 crore voter identity cards are set to receive updated and clearer photographs, while outdated or incomplete address details are being corrected across the country.

Officials said the exercise has already led to significant changes in the voter database. More than 59 crore voter records have been updated so far, with recent color photographs replacing old, blurred, or missing images. The Commission is now preparing to reach the remaining 39.73 crore voters through door-to-door verification conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

The large-scale revision is designed to improve voter identification, eliminate duplicate registrations, and ensure that electoral rolls accurately reflect current residential information before upcoming elections.

Major Changes in Voter ID Cards

One of the most visible outcomes of the SIR exercise is the improvement in voter photographs. According to officials, nearly 30 percent of existing Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) either lacked photographs entirely or contained images that were too old or unclear for reliable identification.

Many of the photographs currently in circulation were captured two to three decades ago. Through the verification drive, BLOs have used mobile-based technology to collect and update recent color photographs of voters without charging any fee.

Another significant change involves residential addresses. Previously, many voter records contained generic house numbers marked as "00." Under the revised system, actual residential addresses are being recorded to improve the accuracy of electoral data.

Focus on Duplicate Voter Removal

The Election Commission has intensified efforts to identify and remove duplicate voter registrations. Under the SIR process, voters were given an opportunity to retain their registration at their current place of residence while removing outdated entries from other constituencies.

Officials stated that maintaining voter registration at multiple locations after the completion of the exercise could be treated as a legal violation. The objective is to ensure that every eligible voter is registered only once in the electoral database.

So far, approximately 2.6 lakh duplicate voter identification numbers have been removed during the verification process.

Technology-Driven Verification

To strengthen the accuracy of voter rolls, the Commission has deployed advanced analytical tools capable of identifying suspicious or duplicate records.

Systems such as Photo Similar Elector and Demographically Similar Elector are being used to detect matching voter profiles across constituencies. These technologies help election officials identify duplicate registrations, outdated entries, and inconsistencies in voter records more efficiently than traditional manual verification methods.

Officials believe the use of technology will enhance transparency and improve the overall quality of electoral rolls.

ASDD Category Helps Clean Electoral Rolls

The Election Commission has also expanded the use of the ASDD category, which stands for Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, and Deceased.

Under this classification, officials identify individuals who have moved away, passed away, remain absent from their registered location, or possess duplicate voter registrations. Removing such records helps maintain a more accurate and updated voter list.

Election authorities say the exercise is part of a broader effort to ensure that electoral rolls reflect only eligible and active voters.

Impact on Elections

Election experts believe the revised voter database could improve the accuracy of voter turnout statistics in future elections. Since duplicate, deceased, and shifted voters are being removed from the rolls, turnout percentages are expected to better reflect actual voter participation.

The updated records may also assist political parties and candidates by providing a clearer picture of the electorate residing within a constituency.

Accurate voter lists are considered a critical component of free and fair elections, helping election administrators allocate resources more effectively and reducing the scope for electoral discrepancies.