Hornbill News

NEW DELHI | October 5:  The Supreme Court on Monday refused to pass an interim order seeking the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations that he took certain decisions without the concurrence of the other two Election Commissioners.  A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notices to the Centre, the Election Commission of India (ECI), Gyanesh Kumar and the other concerned officials.  The petitions allege that several decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were taken in the name of the ECI despite objections from Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. According to the petition, the two Election Commissioners had allegedly recorded objections on multiple occasions against decisions taken without their approval.  The allegations include changes to electoral-roll procedures and other decisions concernin...

  ITANAGAR, September 27:  The BJP Arunachal Pradesh held a press conference at its State Head Office in Itanagar on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the recent political debate surrounding the Election Commission of India (ECI). BJP spokesperson Tobom Dai referred to the ECI’s clarification issued on September 26 regarding the decision to undertake the SIR exercise. According to the clarification, decisions related to the SIR were taken with the unanimous approval of the full Election Commission. The Commission comprises Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. Dai criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks directed at the Election Commission. He said allegations concerning constitutional institutions should be based on verified information, official records and established facts. The BJP spokesperson also urged political parties and public representatives to exe...

  Itanagar, September 26:  The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) held a state-level peaceful dharna near Nirvachan Bhawan in Itanagar on September 25, raising concerns over the Election Commission of India (ECI), the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and reported differences within the poll panel. APCC Vice President Mina Toko highlighted the issue referring to reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections on several occasions over decisions concerning the electoral-roll revision process. The protest was organised as part of the Congress’s nationwide agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.  The party has demanded his immediate resignation and removal, along with criminal proceedings and an independent investigation into decisions taken under his tenure. The APCC’s banner listed several demands, including putting all upcoming elections on hold and freezing the...