Podcasts about Election commission

Bihar has once again delivered a political drama worthy of its reputation—record turnout, sharp debates over the voter rolls, a decisive victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and a fresh round of questions about whether the opposition has what it takes to displace Modi and the BJP. The NDA—anchored by Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal (United), together with the BJP and other allies—secured a landslide victory by winning 202 out of 243 seats in the state assembly. The opposition, for its part, saw little change in its vote share from 2020, but could only muster 35 seats. To work through the elections—and their larger meaning for India's political economy—Milan is joined on the show today by the Hindustan Times data and political economy editor Roshan Kishore. Over the past several months, Roshan and his team have consistently put out the most thoughtful data and analysis on the trends in Bihar. Milan and Roshan discuss the resilience of the JD(U)–BJP alliance, the polarization in the electorate, and the dissonance within the opposition alliance's campaign. Plus, the two discuss the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s controversial review of electoral rolls, the impact of upstart Prashant Kishor and his Jan Suraaj Party, and what the elections portend for India's political economy beyond November.Watch the episode here.Episode notes:1. Roshan Kishore and Abhishek Jha, “Not conspiracy, political economy explains Bihar results,” Hindustan Times, November 18, 2025.2. Nishant Ranjan and Roshan Kishore, “The resurrection of ‘coalition of extremes' in Bihar,” Hindustan Times, November 15, 2025.3. Abhishek Jha and Roshan Kishore, “How did Bihar go from a 2020 cliff-hanger to a 2025 landslide?” Hindustan Times, November 15, 2025.4. Roshan Kishore, Abhishek Jha, and Nishant Ranjan, “Three key takeaways from Bihar results,” Hindustan Times, November 15, 2025.5. Roshan Kishore, “Bihar election results: Twelve Ds that explain the Bihar results,” Hindustan Times, November 14, 2025.6.  “A Sixth of Humanity and the Dreams of a Nation (with Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian),” Grand Tamasha, October 22, 2025. 7. Neelanjan Sircar, “The Welfarist Prime Minister: Explaining the National-State Election Gap,” Economic and Political Weekly 56, no. 10 (March 2021).

The Election Commission of India has announced the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States, including poll-bound Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala. The first phase of the SIR in Bihar has already been subjected to intense legal scrutiny in the Supreme Court, with the poll body defending the exercise even as petitioners alleged mass disenfranchisement and raised concerns over transparency. What has the Supreme Court's intervention in the Bihar SIR achieved so far? With polling already underway in the State, is the challenge to its constitutional validity now a fait accompli? And what can be expected from the petitions filed by Opposition parties, including the DMK, CPI(M), and the Congress, challenging the exercise in other States? Guest: Prashant Bhushan, advocate practising before the Supreme Court. Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Recorded by Aniket Singh Chauhan and Lipi Vats Edited and produced by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a fierce attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of helping the BJP “steal” the 2024 Haryana Assembly election. At a press conference in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi presented what he called “proof” of large-scale voter fraud and manipulation in Haryana’s electoral rolls. So what exactly are his claims? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Aishwarya Raj about the situation of Uttarakhand's healthcare infrastructure. She shares that as the state gears for celebrating the 25th year of its formation, the status of the healthcare services and infrastructure still raises concerns.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Udit Misra about the value of rupee against US dollars, how the fall of the rupee impacts the general public and why they should be concerned. (11:18)Lastly, we talk about Tamil Nadu's CM MK Stalin convening a meeting of 44 parties that landed on a consensus to challenge the Election Commission's  Special Intensive Revision in the Supreme Court. (16:54)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Political parties in Tamil Nadu are moving the Supreme Court against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the state ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. Ever since the Election Commission announced a nationwide rollout of SIR last week, non-BJP ruled states — including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal — have raised strong objections. They allege that the move poses a threat to the democratic process and could lead to large-scale voter disenfranchisement. So what exactly is the issue with SIR, and why are these states opposing it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Chief of National Bureau Ritika Chopra about the Election Commission's new nationwide voter roll revision, what it aims to fix, and how it differs from the controversial Bihar exerciseNext, The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy talks about the US and the EU's latest sanctions on Russia and what they could mean for India's oil imports and energy strategy. (16:55) Lastly, we also talk about why Bihar's Prashant Kishor has received an EC notice just a day after The Indian Express revealed that he's registered as a voter in two states. (27:25)Hosted by Ichha SharmaWritten and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

At midnight tonight, the Election Commission will freeze the voters’ list in 12 states under the controversial Special Intensive Revision, or SIR. Starting tomorrow, officials will launch the next major clean-up of India’s electoral rolls. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the move in New Delhi, confirming that Phase 2 of the revision will officially begin on Tuesday. What exactly is the SIR — and why is it stirring political controversy?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Election Commission is all set for a country-wide roll out of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The first phase of the process would implemented in more than 10 states, including in poll-bound Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal. This exercise comes in the wake of the controversial SIR in Bihar, which was done hurriedly. As has been widely reported, the final voter list in Bihar is riddled with inaccuracies – including excess deletions, gibberish names, and fake addresses. Now, with a pan-India SIR on the anvil, questions abound: Why is it necessary? Will the process incorporate the changes suggested by the Supreme Court in the Bihar context - especially with regard to the use of Aadhaar, publishing voter lists in searchable format, and checking of migrant names in other states before deleting their names? How serious are concerns about mass disenfranchisement on a national scale in a nation-wide SIR? Guest: Sreeparna Chakrabarty, who covers the Election Commission for The Hindu. Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The stage is set for one of India’s most riveting political contests, the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. Nine-time Chief Minister Nitish Kumar faces perhaps his toughest test yet, battling fatigue and anti-incumbency. Tejashwi Yadav is going beyond RJD's traditional Muslim Yadav votebank, while political strategist turned challenger Prashant Kishor is out to disrupt the traditional equations. On the ground, caste remains the central axis of Bihar’s politics from the Yadav, Muslim bloc to Kurmis, Kushwahas, and the Extremely Backward Classes, every community holds the key to a few crucial seats. Adding to the churn is the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision, which has seen millions struck off and added back to the voter rolls, sparking controversy and court hearings. In this episode, Host Nidhi Sharma talks to ET’s Kumar Anshuman and Anubhuti Vishnoi to decode the political map of Bihar with ground reports, data, and insights from shifting alliances and freebies to law-and-order issues and the two-phase polling strategy. This is the battle that could redefine Bihar’s political future.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinYou can follow Anubhuti Vishnoi on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. You can follow Kumar Anshuman on his Linkedin profile and read his Newspaper Articles. Listen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube. CREDITS: IndiaTV, NDTV, NDTV ShortsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Jerome Corsi covers breaking developments in Wisconsin, where a judge has ordered the state's Election Commission to verify the citizenship of registered voters and new applicants — a major win for election integrity and a direct challenge to the Democrats' “Motor Voter” strategy. Dr. Corsi examines:

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Jay Mazoomdaar about an investigation carried out by The Indian Express on the Central Board of Film Certification. Here we discuss how the CBFC has worked over the years and what has made it a one-man show. Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Anjali Marar about India signing a contract with the International Seabed Authority for the allocation of the Carlsberg Ridge in the Indian Ocean for Polymetallic Sulphides exploration and the strategic significance this holds.  (16:05)Lastly, we talk about Bihar's Special Intensive Revision and the final list of electors that was put out by the Election Commission yesterday. (24:29)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Damini Nath about the new feature that has been introduced by the Election Commission of India on their app and site as a way to eliminate gaps in their system, so that voters cannot be deleted off the voting lists without them getting informed. Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Raakhi Jagga about the current situation in Punjab which is reeling from the aftermath of the massive floods that devastated the state last month. She talks about the rehabilitation efforts and how the state is coping. (7:21)Lastly, we talk about the protests happening in Ladakh, with people demanding statehood and protection under the sixth schedule. (16;38)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, The Indian Express' Siddharth Upasani breaks down the government's overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime and how the move is aimed at simplifying the tax structure and putting more money in the hands of consumers.Next, Contributing Editor for The Indian Express Neerja Chowdhury explains the political and institutional implications of the controversy surrounding the Election Commission after Rahul Gandhi alleged voter roll manipulation in Karnataka's Aland constituency. (17:11)And in the end, we look at the Supreme Court's response to a plea seeking an independent investigation into the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives. The petition, filed by an aviation safety NGO, raises concerns about the handling of the probe by India's official crash investigation agency, the AAIB. (26:28)Hosted by Ichha SharmaWritten and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Firstly, The Indian Express' National Legal Editor Apurva Vishwanath explains the Supreme Court's decision to give Reliance Foundation's Vantara project a clean chit and how it has now dismissed all complaints, citing the SIT's report that found no legal violations and upheld the facility's welfare standards.Next,  The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt  discusses a new initiative in Delhi that's helping people navigate end-of-life care and enabling terminally ill patients to document their care preferences in advance. (10:10)And in the end, we turn to the political controversy over voter roll deletions in Karnataka's Aland constituency, where Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has accused the Election Commission of enabling mass deletions of votes, pointing to suspected software misuse and voter targeting. (22:29)Hosted by Ichha SharmaWritten and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Listen to the latest SBS Hindi news from India. 19/09/2025

Hello, this is your daily dose of news from Onmanorama. Tune in to get updated about the major news stories of the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello, this is your daily dose of news from Onmanorama. Tune in to get updated about the major news stories of the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Vineet Bhalla about an exemption in the Right To Education Act. The Supreme Court is rethinking an exemption that was made for minority institutions in the RTE Act and it might be reconsidered by a larger Supreme Court bench.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary about fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the Punjab National Bank loan fraud, who is currently arrested in Belgium. He shares the charges that Choksi faces and the process of his extradition that India is going through. (9:22)Lastly, we talk about the Special Intensive Revision that happened in Bihar and the plans that the Election Commission has regarding implementing it across the country. (20:25)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Hello, this is your daily dose of news from Onmanorama. Tune in to get updated about the major news stories of the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show: 1. SC Election Commission served restraining order over DOJ data request - https://www.counton2.com/news/south-carolina-news/sc-election-commission-served-restraining-order-over-doj-data-request/ 2. Less than half of SC's 3rd to 8th graders can do math on grade level, as reading scores surge - https://scdailygazette.com/2025/09/02/less-than-half-of-scs-3rd-to-8th-graders-can-do-math-on-grade-level-as-reading-scores-surge/ 3. Hands-free law begins in SC Monday, bans holding phone while driving - https://abcnews4.com/newsletter-daily/hands-free-law-begins-in-sc-monday-bans-holding-phone-while-driving-fines-offense-traffic-violations-crime-statewide 4. Nancy Mace: Everything You Didn't Know About Her Sh*tty Past - https://youtu.be/o6uLsW-bOTM?si=1CdZOHUaE7DmaPl2 This episode's music is by Tyler Boone (tylerboonemusic.com). The episode was produced by LMC Soundsystem.

In this Telugu podcast episode, we sit down with Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao, Member of Parliament from Medak, lawyer by profession, and one of the most outspoken BJP leaders from Telangana. Known for his sharp arguments and fearless stand on issues. Raghunandan Rao opens up about politics, law, family, and the everyday struggles of a public leader.We begin with one of the biggest contradictions of Indian democracy: 251 of the 543 newly elected MPs face criminal cases. Can clean politics truly exist when over five crore cases are still pending in courts? Rao points out the hypocrisy of focusing on issues like Sabarimala while fundamental judicial reforms are ignored. As someone with cases against him, he speaks candidly about the personal toll and why in today's climate, survival in politics almost guarantees cases being filed.Rao's journey is also a story of patience and resilience. Expelled from TRS, defeated multiple times in Dubbaka, he never gave up. Using his now-famous dinosaur vs. giraffe metaphor of Darwin theory, he explains why adaptability and endurance matter more than instant wins.On freedom of speech, he questions why anonymous abusive content is tolerated online while citizens are arrested for criticizing politicians. From the urea controversy to the silencing of YouTubers and leaders on freedom of speech, Rao takes on an interesting toll.We also explore the unseen life of a politician: the round-the-clock demands, school admissions, medical emergencies, hospitality costs, and the stress that leaves most leaders battling BP and diabetes. He explains why cars and staff aren't luxuries but survival tools in political life.Turning to Telangana politics, he addresses whether a national party like BJP can compete with deeply rooted regional parties. He speaks on vote chori, duplication of votes, Aadhaar linking, and the flaws of the 51% majority system. He also highlights the disparity in funds: Telangana contributes ₹1.3 lakh crore in taxes but receives less than ₹20,000 crore back.The discussion covers petrol prices, infrastructure growth, and the devolution of funds, as well as allegations that BJP uses agencies like ED and CBI to “wash” leaders once they join the party. He also responds to debates on Hindu vote banks, BJP's RSS roots, and succession after Modi.As a lawyer and politician, he reflects on balancing two seemingly opposite roles; twisting words to defend a client in court while promising truth and service in politics. He recalls unforgettable cases, his reputation as a highly paid advocate, and why advocates remain among the highest taxpayers in India.Yet this episode isn't only about politics. He insists parents must discuss politics at the dinner table, teaching children values, awareness, and curiosity. He opines youth to see politics as a career while also encouraging families to support alternative professions. With examples from P.V. Sindhu, Nikhath Zareen, and Malavath Poorna, he reminds us that India needs dreamers in every field, not just engineering or medicine.From policing reforms and the role of the Election Commission to the power of social media, media bias, and even the Sansad Khel Mahotsav, Raghunandan Rao's words reveal the complexity of leadership in modern India.Direct, sharp, and often provocative, this conversation takes us inside the mind of a politician who is also a lawyer, father, and fighter. Finally, his mix of honesty and grassroots perspective makes this a must-listen for anyone who cares about democracy, politics, and India's future.

Rahul Gandhi is leading the Opposition charge of ‘vote chori' against the Election Commission & BJP. The opposition has also questioned timing and method of the Bihar SIR exercise. Ep 1718 of #CutTheClutter looks at the politics and constitutionality of the issue & what lies ahead. In this special edition, ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta is joined by Political Editor DK Singh & Senior Assistant Editor Apoorva Mandhani.

From RSS-Jan Sangh's Balraj Madhok to ex-Gujarat CM Modi, Opposition has always targeted the Election Commission. Why CEC Gyanesh Kumar is hurting Indian democracy by making it personal, ThePrint Political Editor explains in this episode of #politicallycorrect

The Supreme Court, in an interim order on Thursday (August 14, 2025), directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish a booth-wise list of nearly 65 lakh electors who were excluded from the draft electoral roll released on August 1 as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi ordered that the list must specify the precise reasons for exclusion, such as death, migration, or duplicate registration. The petitioners have argued that the poll body has failed to observe the basic principles of natural justice while carrying out the exercise. They have also questioned the “hasty” manner of its implementation. What is the constitutionality of the SIR exercise, and does it risk disenfranchising voters? What are the implications of the interim order? To what extent does the order address the contentious debate over whether Aadhaar can serve as valid proof of identity and residence in the electoral process? Guest: Shah Rukh Alam, advocate practising at the Supreme Court Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Shot, produced, and edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Asad Rehman about the allegations levelled by Rahul Gandhi on the Election Commission. He talks about the press conference conducted by the Leader of Opposition last week where he alleged that over a lakh votes were stolen in the Mahadevapura constituency in Bangalore and the EC colluded with the BJP to make this happen. Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Sukalp Sharma about the fact that even though the US has threatened to impose extra 25% tariffs on India as we continue to import Russian oil, it was actually the US itself which played a major role in India ramping up its oil imports from Russia. (19:13)Lastly, we talk about the CBSE introducing open textbook assessment after a pilot study for class 9, from the next academic session. (30:56)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

In this podcast, Kushal speaks with Tushar Gupta about the latest presentation by Rahul Gandhi, where he asked 5 questions to the Election Commission of India. Follow Tushar: X: @Tushar15_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAtomChannelYT/featured #rahulgandhi #electioncommission #voterlistcontroversy #sir ------------------------------------------------------------ Listen to the podcasts on: SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/kushal-mehra-99891819 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rVcDV3upgVurMVW1wwoBp Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-c%C4%81rv%C4%81ka-podcast/id1445348369 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-carvaka-podcast ------------------------------------------------------------ Support The Cārvāka Podcast: Buy Kushal's Book: https://amzn.in/d/58cY4dU Become a Member on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPx... Become a Member on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/carvaka UPI: kushalmehra@icici Interac Canada: kushalmehra81@gmail.com To buy The Carvaka Podcast Exclusive Merch please visit: http://kushalmehra.com/shop ------------------------------------------------------------ Follow Kushal: Twitter: https://twitter.com/kushal_mehra?ref_... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KushalMehraO... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarvakap... Koo: https://www.kooapp.com/profile/kushal... Inquiries: https://kushalmehra.com/ Feedback: kushalmehra81@gmail.com

The ‘atom bomb' that Rahul Gandhi was talking about has finally dropped. At a press conference on August 7, Mr Gandhi gave a presentation where he sought to show how, in one assembly segment of a Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka, more than 1 lakh fake votes were cast. Mr Gandhi said a team in the Congress spent six months sifting through voter rolls data in hard copy format sourced from the Election Commission, and they identified five ways in which fake votes were cast: duplicate voters, fake and invalid voters, bulk voters in a single address, invalid photos, and misuse of Form 6 to add so-called new voters. Mr Gandhi also alleged that this was a template, and it can be, and has probably been, replicated in elections across the country. Mr Gandhi has made two demands to the Election Commission (EC): that it share voter data in electronic text readable format, and that it make available CCTV footage of polling booths. The EC has asked Mr Gandhi to formally submit his charges under oath. How credible are these charges? And how justified are Mr Gandhi's demands? What is the road to accountability in the context of these specific charges? Guest: Poonam Agarwal, investigative journalist and author of ‘India Inked: Elections in the World's Largest Democracy'. Host: G Sampath Produced and edited by: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, The Indian Express' Legal Affairs Editor Apurva Vishwanath explains the arguments made by those challenging the Election Commission's controversial Special Intensive Revision in Bihar, and why the Supreme Court refused to halt the exercise last week.Next, The Indian Express' Aditi Raja tells us about the Gambhira bridge collapse in Gujarat, the red flags that were ignored leading up to it, and the action the administration is now taking (11:52).And finally, The Indian Express' Parul Kulshrestha talks about two science teachers who started making Mephedrone after watching the TV series Breaking Bad (25:02).Hosted by Shashank BhargavaWritten and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma

There has been a lot of opposition to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls from opposition parties and there are multiple petitions against it in the Supreme Court. One of the petitioners, Prof Jagdeep Chhokar, co-founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), explains why they have opposed the Election Commission's drive and the many problems they see in this initiative. 

The Election Commission of India is going to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Bihar is due to hold Assembly elections before November22, which is when the term of the current assembly ends. This revision exercise requires all voters who were enrolled after 2003, to provide proof of their and their parents' citizenship, in order to get their names on the electoral rolls. This elaborate exercise is supposed to be completed in two to three months. It has raised many questions, and fears of mass disenfranchisement, and backdoor implementation of the controversial National Register of Citizens or NRC. When does the EC normally conduct an SIR? What was the reason for initiating it now, just before State elections? Are the fears of disenfranchisement justified? Guest: M.G. Devasahayam, a former IAS officer, who is also Co-ordinator, Citizen's Commission on Elections. Host: G Sampath. Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manipur has been under President's rule since February 13, 2025. But this week, a group of 10 MLAs met the Governor and informed him that they would like to form a “popular government” with the support of a total of 44 MLAs. The Manipur Assembly has a strength of 60. At the same time, the state is again in turmoil over an incident in Gwaltabi village where security forces allegedly asked for the state's name on a bus to be covered up. Angry protesters locked up central government offices, including the office of the Election Commission, and defaced government signboards as part of a state-wide agitation. What is behind the latest episode of civil unrest? What has been the impact of the President's Rule so far? And what are the chances of a “popular” government being formed in the current scenario? Host: G Sampath Guest: Abhinay Lakshman from The Hindu's Delhi Bureau. Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Learn Polish Podcast, where you can enhance your language skills with Marta. In this episode, she is joined by Roy to discuss the recent presidential elections in Poland. They delve into the role of the election commission and share insights on the election process. Despite the challenges of working with the election commission, Marta finds it engaging and shares her experience. This episode covers essential election-related vocabulary, including terms like 'Komisja Wyborcza' (Election Commission), 'lokal wyborczy' (polling station), and 'frekwencja wyborcza' (voter turnout). The duo also discusses the importance of voter participation and how every vote counts in shaping the country's future. Listen in to expand your Polish vocabulary and get a glimpse into the political landscape of Poland. For lessons with Marta, check the audio and video show notes, and explore other resources at RoyCoughlan.com. If you need virtual assistants, visit va.world   --------- All about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants at ⁠https://roycoughlan.com/⁠  ___________________

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports the Philippines' Senate race on May 12 was a blow to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as he feuds with Vice President Sara Duterte, according to official results from the nation's Election Commission.

According to Section 53 (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, if there is only candidate contesting an election, then she can be declared elected unopposed. Now a legal think tank, the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of this provision.  It cites the 2013 order of the Supreme Court which held that the right to cast a negative vote by choosing ‘NOTA' was protected under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution. It argues that this right is independent of how many candidates are contesting – therefore, not holding the election on the grounds that there is only one candidate deprives voters of this right. Last week, the Supreme Court, while hearing this petition, suggested that in cases where there is only one candidate, there could be a requirement that the candidate should win a prescribed minimum of vote share – be it 20% or 25% or whatever – in order to be declared as elected. But the Election Commission seems keen to retain the status quo, arguing that cases of candidates winning unopposed are rare and therefore the court should not entertain such a petition. Is the Election Commission right? What if the phenomenon of candidates standing unopposed becomes more widespread in the future? What happens to the NOTA option then? Guest: Arghya Sengupta, Founder and Research Director at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, Delhi.  Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu. Edited by Shivaraj S and Sharada Venkatasubramnian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 18, 2025, the Election Commission of India announced that its officials will hold talks with UIDAI experts for linking the Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) with Aadhaar.  This linking is supposed to be voluntary, but there is some confusion as to whether the voter will really have any choice in the matter.  There are also concerns that linking EPIC with Aadhaar could lead to voter profiling, selective disenfranchisement, targeted campaigns, data privacy violations, and possibly undermine the autonomy of the Election Commission. Are these concerns valid or are they overblown? Guest: Usha Ramanathan, human rights activist who has worked extensively on Aadhaar-related exclusions and rights violations.  Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu. Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

The Election Commission of India has launched a massive voter list cleanup, set to remove over 2 crore illegal entries, sending shockwaves across political and demographic circles. This bold move targets illegal migrants and ensures electoral integrity, potentially disrupting long-standing vote bank politics. Certain groups and vested interests, who have allegedly benefitted from these illegal inclusions, are now in panic mode. With major political and security implications, this decision is poised to reshape India's electoral landscape ahead of the upcoming elections.

This week on Hafta, Newslaundry's Abhinandan Sekhri, Manisha Pande, Raman Kirpal, Jayashree Arunachalam, and Anand Vardhan are joined by former Chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Quraishi and cartoonist Rachita Taneja. The show starts with a detailed discussion on the controversy surrounding the USAID funds allegedly released to “increase voter turnout in India” and an Indian Express fact-check that found that the said amount was meant for Bangladesh, never India.“The Election Commission is allergic to the thought of taking money from anyone outside India…We had enough funds and enough self-respect,” says Dr Quraishi, adding that he is also “very confident” about his successors.On Donald Trump cancelling USAID funding for several projects, Jayashree says, “What he's doing is terrible…but there is a tendency to paint US aid as US generosity.” The US has used aid programs as part of its foreign policy, she points out.The panel then moves to discussing the midnight notification issued to appoint Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner. “If you need to be bipartisan, you have to have someone who is not a politician,” Raman says about Kumar's appointment. On the selection process, Dr Quraishi says that India has the “most defective system of appointment” despite having the “most powerful election commission in the world.” The panel also discusses the Indian government blocking Tamil news website Vikatan after it published a critical cartoon depicting PM Narendra Modi and Trump.Rachita, who runs the popular page Sanitary Panels, says: “I don't know where to draw the line between censorship and self-censorship. If you are being given threats or being told that you can land up in jail, is that not part of censorship itself?”This and a lot more. Tune in!We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here. Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media. Download the Newslaundry app. Contribute to our latest NL Sena here.Timecodes00:00:00 - Introductions and announcements 00:02:57 - Headlines 00:09:19- USAID controversy00:34:30 - CEC appointment process00:53:06 - Blocking of Vikatan website01:30:14 - Recommendations Check out previous Hafta recommendations, references, songs and letters Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Ashish Anand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 7th of February and here are the headlines.Day after a United States military aircraft landed in Amritsar with 104 deported Indian nationals, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Parliament Budget Session of Day 5 said the Centre is engaging with the US government to ensure that deportees are not ill-treated. EAM also said, quote, “It's the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if found to be living illegally abroad,” unquote. Jaishankar also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief him over the issue.Meanwhile, the high-stakes Delhi election was concluded in 70 Assembly constituencies. In the triangular contest between the AAP, the BJP, and the Congress, the ruling party aims for a third consecutive term, while the saffron party hopes to make a return to power after 25 years, and the grand old party strives to make a comeback. The polling saw a total turnout of 60.44 per cent, according to Election Commission data. Meanwhile, police force was deployed in large numbers outside a polling booth in Seelampur after the BJP alleged fake votes were being cast.In other news, India and the US are expected to start negotiations for a free trade agreement in the coming weeks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to the US to meet President Donald Trump between the 12th and 14th of February. The Prime Minister, who will travel to France and co-chair the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris between 10th - 11th of February, is also expected to travel to Marseille on 12th of February. From there, he is likely to travel to the US to meet President Trump.In another news making headline, a civilian truck driver was killed in a firing incident involving Army personnel on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway near Sopore in Kashmir. The Army said the truck jumped a checkpoint, after which it was chased for over 23 km. According to the Army statement, its personnel fired at the tyres of the truck to deflate them, and the truck came to a halt. Subsequently, they took the injured driver to a hospital where he was declared dead. Police sources said they have begun an investigation into the incident.On the global front, China announced retaliatory tariffs on United States imports after the US imposed a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods. Beijing will levy 10-15 per cent tariffs on US products including crude oil, agricultural machinery, and liquefied natural gas. Coal and LNG imports will face a 15 per cent tariff, while items like pickup trucks and large-engine cars will incur a 10 per cent tariff. The measures will take effect on 10th of February, escalating trade tensions between the two nations.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 3rd of February and here are the headlines.Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, alleged that 70 lakh voters were added to Maharashtra's electoral rolls between the Lok Sabha and state elections. He demanded that the Election Commission provide voter data to opposition parties. Gandhi questioned the integrity of the 2022 Maharashtra polls and expressed doubt that the EC would release the requested details. He emphasized that the Constitution relies on secure votes, without which its significance is diminished.In his reply to the President's address, Rahul Gandhi criticized both the UPA and NDA governments for failing to provide a clear employment plan for India's youth. He expressed dissatisfaction with President Murmu's inaugural address, calling it similar to past speeches. Gandhi emphasized that the country's future hinges on young people and highlighted that any proposals should address their concerns and challenges, urging the Opposition bloc to focus on this issue.External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding his U.S. visit in December 2024. Gandhi had alleged that Jaishankar went to the U.S. to secure an invitation for PM Modi's attendance at Trump's inauguration. Jaishankar denied the accusation, stating that his visit was for meetings with U.S. officials and to chair a consuls general gathering. He clarified that the Prime Minister typically does not attend such events and India is represented by special envoys.The Supreme Court called the January 29 stampede at the Maha Kumbh “unfortunate” but directed the petitioner to approach the Allahabad High Court, where a judicial commission had already been set up to investigate the incident. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, hearing the case, stated that the matter was concerning but advised that the High Court be approached. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi confirmed that the judicial commission was already in place to address the issue.U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staffers were instructed to stay out of the agency's Washington headquarters after Elon Musk claimed he and President Trump had agreed to shut down USAID. Over 600 employees were locked out of USAID's computer systems, and those still in the system received emails about the closure. Musk, who is leading a review of the federal government with Trump's approval, said the two agreed on shutting down the agency, which has been active for over six decades.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 31st of January and here are this week's headlines.The Indian government has launched the National Critical Minerals Mission, a 16,300 crore rupees initiative to reduce country's dependency on foreign mineral imports on Wednesday. The mission focuses on domestic exploration, mining, and processing of essential minerals to support technological growth and industrial needs. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of securing India's mineral future as the nation seeks to strengthen its economic infrastructure and ensure sustainability in key industries.Meanwhile, the Joint Committee of Parliament has adopted its report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, despite criticism from Opposition MPs about the rushed process and lack of sufficient review time. The bill, which proposes changes to the management of Waqf properties, has sparked disagreement within the committee. Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the short notice to review the 655-page report, accusing the government of undermining parliamentary procedures in the final stages of the bill's consideration.Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday dared leaders from BJP and Congress to drink the water of Yamuna river after the Election Commission responded to the Aam Aadmi Party chief amid the ongoing row over Yamuna, asking the former Delhi chief minister not to mix the issue of increased ammonia in Yamuna with his allegation of river poisoning. The EC gave Kejriwal another chance to explain his charges against the Haryana government. The EC further asked Kejriwal to provide factual evidence with specific and pointed response to type, quantity, nature and manner of poisoning of Yamuna.On the global front, an American Airlines passenger plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided and crashed near Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday. The passenger jet, carrying 64 people, was on approach to the airport when the incident occurred. Initial reports indicate that at least 18 bodies have been recovered from the river, with search and rescue operations ongoing amid challenging cold weather conditions. Emergency responders, numbering over 300, are actively engaged in the recovery efforts, which have been complicated by the frigid temperatures. The airport has suspended all operations until at least 11 a.m. EST on Thursday. While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, officials have confirmed that fatalities are expected.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump signed his first piece of legislation, the Laken Riley Act, during his second term, which allows for the pre-trial detention of undocumented immigrants accused of crimes such as theft, burglary, and assault. Additionally, a group of Republican Senators introduced the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 in the US Senate, aiming to restrict birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants and non-immigrants on temporary visas. Trump's administration also rescinded a controversial memo that temporarily froze federal spending on loans and grants just two days after its issuance, leading to widespread confusion and legal challenges.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 30th of January and here are the headlines.The Indian government has announced its plan to create a domestic large language model under the IndiaAI Mission, a Rs 10,370 crore initiative. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the development today. To support this, 10 companies, including Yotta, Jio Platforms, and Tata Communications, will supply 18,693 GPUs. Yotta alone will provide nearly half of these chips, totaling 9,216 units, to help build the AI model.Arvind Kejriwal has challenged BJP and Congress leaders to drink Yamuna river water after the Election Commission intervened in his claims about river poisoning. The EC had asked Kejriwal to clarify his accusations of ammonia pollution and provide factual evidence of the alleged poisoning. The commission is also seeking more specific details about the nature, quantity, and source of contamination, with Kejriwal facing scrutiny for his allegations.A Canadian report dismissed claims of foreign involvement in the disinformation campaign surrounding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Nijjar. Relations between India and Canada soured after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being behind Nijjar's murder in June 2023. India strongly rejected the accusations, calling them politically motivated, which led to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries, further damaging bilateral ties.A political controversy erupted in Goa after the BJP government ordered South Goa SP Sunita Sawant to relinquish her charge. The Congress party accused the transfer of being politically motivated due to Sawant's inquiry about Bajrang Dal leaders. The government has temporarily assigned Tikam Singh Verma, SP of the anti-narcotics cell, to oversee South Goa. Sawant was appointed in February 2024, and an official transfer order has yet to be issued.A tragic collision occurred between an American Airlines plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington D.C. on Wednesday night. The plane, carrying 64 people, collided with the helicopter, which had three soldiers aboard. President Trump was briefed on the accident, and emergency operations were launched. All flights were suspended, and rescue teams, including firefighters, were engaged in operations on the Potomac River. 18 fatalities were confirmed, though details remain unclear.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

A reporters' podcast about what made news and what shouldn't have.NL TeamThis week, host Shivnarayan Rajpurohit is joined by Sumedha Mittal.Sumedha's series for Newslaundry, Broken Ballots, tracked curious deletions and additions of voters to the electoral rolls. Based on data and fieldwork, she found an odd pattern, which she says places a question mark on the Election Commission. She also cautions that this could be “used as exploitation”, regardless of whoever is in power. Tune in.Timecodes00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:18 - The Broken Ballots series00:50:20 - RecommendationsRecommendationsSumedhaA day with AAP volunteers who reflect the party's convoluted social-justice politicsShivnarayanVajpayee: The Ascent of the Hindu Right, 1924–1977Produced and edited by Saif Ali Ekram, recorded by Anil Kumar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Niharika Nanda.Today is the 31st of December and here are the headlines.On the last day of the year, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed “regret” and “apologised” for the ethnic strife that has gripped the state since 3rd May, 2023, leaving dozens dead and thousands homeless. Addressing the press in the first such comments, he said, quote “This entire year has been very unfortunate. I feel regret and I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what's happening till today since last May 3.” unquote.Walmik Karad, who has been in the eye of a storm since the murder of a sarpanch in Maharashtra's Beed district, Tuesday surrendered at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department in Pune. Karad is a former NCP corporator and an aide of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde. He is also a group leader in Parli Nagar Parishad, president of the Ladki Bahin Yojana in Beed, and NCP's member of the Beed district planning committee.The family of Santosh Deshmukh (45), a sarpanch of Massajog in Kaiz tehsil, has alleged Karad's involvement in Deshmukh's murder on 9th December.An analysis of the data released by the Election Commission showed that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw 800 women candidates contesting across 390 parliamentary constituencies, the higher-ever since the second general elections in 1957. With 800 women candidates in the fray, this also led to a decline in the number of seats having no women candidate to its lowest-ever of 152. Over the years, the number of women candidates has been on the rise.On Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Maharashtra BJP minister Nitesh Rane's statement calling Kerala a “mini Pakistan" is highly provocative and deplorable.Addressing a function in Pune, Rane had said, quote “Kerala is mini Pakistan… that is why Rahul Gandhi and his sister are elected from there. All terrorists vote for them. This is the truth, you can ask. They have become MPs after taking terrorists with them.'' unquote. In a sharp response, Vijayan said, quote “The Maharashtra minister's words reflected the Sangh Parivar's approach towards Kerala. Sangh Parivar is of the view that it can alienate places where it finds it difficult to gain control, by unleashing such hate campaigns. The minister is not fit to continue in his post. It is surprising that the leadership of the party that rules the country has not reacted to the statement of the minister, who has breached the oath of office by insulting the Constitution of the country.” unquote.A federal appeals court has upheld a $5 million verdict against Donald Trump for sexually abusing and defaming magazine writer E Jean Carroll, marking a legal setback for the president-elect, The Guardian reported. The three-judge panel at the second US circuit court of appeals in Manhattan rejected Trump's appeal for a new trial. They ruled that evidence, including testimonies from other women who accused Trump of sexual misconduct and the infamous Access Hollywood tape, was properly admitted in court. The tape famously recorded Trump boasting about grabbing women.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 22th of November and here are this week's headlines.Karnataka's Anti-Naxal Force shot and killed fugitive Naxal leader Vikram Gowda in a gunbattle on Monday night in Udupi. The 44-year-old had been a key member of the banned CPI (Maoist) group, considered one of the last remaining major Naxal leaders from Karnataka. His death follows the 2021 arrest of another top leader, B.G. Krishnamurthy. With Gowda's death, the remaining underground Naxals in Karnataka come down to just seven, including four women.Delhi's air quality hit alarming levels early Tuesday, with an AQI of 492, placing the capital in the "severe-plus" category. Certain areas, including Alipur and Anand Vihar, surpassed the 500 mark. This means Delhi residents are breathing in pollutants equivalent to 50 cigarettes a day, posing serious health risks to everyone, not just those with pre-existing conditions. The government has implemented its highest emergency measures, and the Supreme Court has ordered these actions to remain in place until further notice. Additionally, Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced a 50% work-from-home policy for both private and government offices due to severe air pollution.As polling concluded in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, urban voter ahpathy remained a challenge for the Election Commission, which frequently ran campaigns to encourage people to come out in large numbers and vote. Despite being the state's largest city and the country's financial and entertainment hub, Mumbai recorded the lowest vote turnout at 51.27 per cent, just 1 per cent higher than 48.4 per cent turnout in 2019. Meanwhile, Gadchiroli saw the highest turnout at 69.63 per cent. In Jharkhand, Jamtara recorded the highest turnout at 76.16 per cent, while Bo-ka-ro had the lowest at 60.97 per cent. After casting his vote in Thane, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his confidence in securing a thumping victory in the ongoing Assembly polls. Shinde said, quote “People have seen their two-and-a-half years of rule vis-a-vis the work done by us in the same amount of time. People will vote for development and for the work done by us,” unquote.In a major legal development, US prosecutors have indicted Gautam Adani, the chairman of Adani Group, along with seven others, accusing them of orchestrating a $250 million bribery scheme. The charges allege the group bribed Indian officials to secure power contracts in India. Alongside the indictment, the US SEC is seeking penalties and a jury trial for Adani and his associates, citing their operations in the US and impact on American investors. The political war over the Adani bribery case heats up as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accuses the Indian government of supporting Gautam Adani, who was indicted in the US for allegedly offering over $200 million in bribes. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit back, accusing Congress of destabilizing Indian markets with false propaganda. He questioned why Congress-ruled states had welcomed Adani's investments despite the controversy.On the global front, Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from its southern Astrakhan region in an attack against Ukraine. Kyiv's air force said this is the first time since the war broke out that Russia has used a long-range missile. Meanwhile, Ukraine on Wednesday said that Russia hit it with a “a massive information-psychological attack” by dispersing fake warning, alledgedly from Ukrainian military intelligence, about an imminent mass air attack. Following the Main Directorate of Intelligence's statement Reuters reported, quote “This message is a fake, it contains grammatical errors typical of Russian information and psychological operations,” unquoteThis was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

The candidates are holding rallies in key swing states on the last day of campaigning, as the polls suggest the race is still exceptionally close. We speak to a Democrat who chairs an Election Commission, and a former Trump White House chief of staff.Also on the programme: Eight people have gone on trial in Paris accused of encouraging the killer of Samuel Paty, the teacher who was beheaded on the street outside his school four years ago; and American music giant Quincy Jones has died today - we speak to a British jazz singer who worked with him.(Picture: Campaign signs are seen outside a polling station during early voting in the US presidential election in Florida on November 3, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Marco Bello)