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ECI writes to Rahul Gandhi over Maharashtra poll rigging allegations, says all polls held as per law

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has firmly rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of “industrial-scale rigging” in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, asserting that all polls are conducted strictly in accordance with parliamentary laws and established rules.

In a pointed response, the ECI has invited the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition to discuss his concerns in person, while defending its decision to limit access to polling station CCTV footage to protect voter privacy.

On June 12, the ECI emailed Gandhi in response to an article he penned in a leading daily, detailing the decentralised nature of India’s electoral process. The poll body highlighted that Maharashtra’s elections involved over 1,00,186 Booth Level Officers, 288 Electoral Registration Officers, 139 General Observers, 41 Police Observers, 71 Expenditure Observers, and 288 Returning Officers.

Additionally, 1,08,026 Booth Level Agents, including 28,421 from the Congress, were appointed by political parties to monitor the process. “We assume any grievances would have been raised through election petitions filed in the high court by Congress candidates,” the ECI noted, urging Gandhi to share specific issues directly with the commission or meet at a mutually convenient time.

Gandhi’s allegations resurfaced on Saturday, June 21, when he posted on X, accusing the ECI of obstructing transparency: “Voter list? No machine-readable format. CCTV footage? Hidden by tweaking laws. Election videos? Now deleted in 45 days, not a year. The one meant to provide answers is erasing evidence.” His remarks targeted the ECI’s recent decision to retain video footage for only 45 days post-results, down from six months to a year for various stages like nominations, campaigning, polling, and counting.

The ECI, in a robust defence on Saturday, argued that sharing CCTV footage could compromise voter privacy by revealing who voted and who didn’t, exposing them to harassment by political parties or anti-social elements.

A senior ECI official explained, “If a party gets fewer votes at a booth, access to footage could help them identify and intimidate voters or non-voters. This seemingly ‘logical’ demand hides motives that undermine voter security.” The official stressed that the Representation of the People Act, 1950/1951, and Supreme Court directives prioritise voter privacy.

The ECI clarified that CCTV footage, an internal management tool not mandated by law, is retained for 45 days, aligning with the window for filing election petitions. If no petition is filed, the footage is destroyed to prevent misuse by non-contestants for spreading misinformation. In cases where petitions are lodged, footage is preserved and provided to courts upon request. Last December, the Centre amended Rule 93 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to restrict public access to certain electronic records, including CCTV and webcasting footage, citing risks of malicious narratives.

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Blasts outside defence establishments in Punjab within 2 hours trigger security alarm

Two explosions near defence-linked locations in Punjab within two hours have triggered alarm and heightened security across the state.

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Two explosion incidents reported within a span of around two hours near key defence-linked locations in Punjab have raised serious security concerns and triggered political reactions.

The first incident took place near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar, where a blast involving a delivery scooter was reported in a populated area. The proximity of the explosion to a sensitive security installation immediately drew the attention of authorities.

Shortly after, another blast was reported near a military-linked area in Amritsar, further heightening concerns over security preparedness in the border state. Police and security agencies responded swiftly, deploying bomb disposal squads and forensic teams at both locations.

Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported in either incident. However, the back-to-back nature of the explosions caused panic in nearby areas and prompted authorities to place the state on high alert.

Political leaders reacted strongly, questioning the handling of security and pointing to possible lapses. They urged authorities to take preventive steps to avoid such incidents in the future.

Punjab, being a strategically important border state, remains sensitive to such developments. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the explosions and whether there are any links between the two incidents.

Security has been tightened around key installations, with agencies assessing whether the blasts were isolated events or part of a broader threat.

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Retired bureaucrats appointed by Mamata Banerjee barred from Bengal offices ahead of BJP government formation

Retired bureaucrats appointed under Mamata Banerjee have been barred from government offices as West Bengal prepares for a BJP-led administration.

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In a significant administrative development following the West Bengal Assembly election results, several retired bureaucrats appointed during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee have reportedly been barred from entering state government offices.

The decision comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to form its first government in the state after securing a decisive mandate. The move is seen as part of the transition process as the outgoing administration makes way for the incoming regime.

Officials indicated that the restrictions apply specifically to retired personnel who had been given contractual or advisory roles under the previous government. These individuals have now been asked not to access offices or handle official work.

The development follows a broader directive issued by the state administration to ensure that no official documents or records are removed, damaged, or tampered with during the transition period. Authorities have emphasised strict accountability, placing responsibility on departmental heads to safeguard files and maintain proper records.

The political backdrop to this move is the sweeping victory of the BJP in the 2026 West Bengal elections, marking a major shift in the state’s political landscape after years of Trinamool Congress rule.

With the new government expected to take charge soon, administrative reshuffling and tightening of access to government infrastructure are being viewed as measures to ensure a smooth and transparent handover of power.

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Vijay expresses gratitude to Modi, Rahul Gandhi for congratulatory messages after poll victory

Vijay thanked PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi after his party’s strong Tamil Nadu poll performance, promising governance focused on public welfare.

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Actor vijay

Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for congratulating him on his party’s strong performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026.

Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), acknowledged the wishes shared by both leaders following the party’s impressive electoral debut, which has significantly altered the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.

Responding to the Prime Minister on social media platform X, Vijay said that his party’s focus would remain on public welfare and development. He emphasised that governance should rise above political differences and aim at improving the lives of the people.

“The well-being of our people remains our only goal… we shall focus on the state’s progress and welfare,” he said, while also expressing hope for support from the Union government in achieving these objectives.

The TVK has emerged as a major political force in the state, breaking the long-standing dominance of traditional parties and marking a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics.

According to early developments, the party has staked claim to form the government and may seek additional support if required to prove its majority in the assembly.

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