Latest news with #ElectoralLaw
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
ECI asking Rahul Gandhi to submit complaint on Karnataka roll manipulation under oath infructuous in this situation: experts
The Election Commission of India (ECI)'s prompt response to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asking him to submit his complaint regarding voter roll manipulation in an Assembly constituency in Karnataka 'under oath' is infructuous in this situation, according to Electoral Law experts. The experts opine that the rule quoted by the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer and subsequently CEOs of Maharashtra and Haryana asking the Leader of the Opposition to submit his complaint and evidence regarding it under an oath or declaration has no application to the present case and is valid only if any complaint is filed within 30 days of the publication of draft Electoral Rolls before elections. Also read: Congress protest over 'vote theft' in Karnataka updates Mr. Gandhi claimed in a press conference on Friday (August 7, 2025) that 1,00,250 'fake votes' were created in the Mahadevapura Assembly seat under the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka in order to ensure a win for the BJP. Following this, the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer had issued a letter to the Congress leader asking him to submit the evidence under oath under Rule 20 (3) (b) of the Registration of Electors Rules 1960. The rule says that 'the registration officer shall hold a summary inquiry into every claim or objection in respect of which notice has been given under rule 19 and shall record his decision thereon'. 'The registration officer may in his discretion (a) require any claimant, objector or person objected to, to appear in person before him; (b) require that the evidence tendered by any person shall be given on oath and administer an oath for the purpose'. According to Constitution Law expert P.D.T. Achary, 'These rules do not apply in this situation. These rules apply till 30 days after draft rolls are published'. 'In this case elections were held 15 months back (Lok Sabha polls 2024) and the Congress party has investigated the entire issue on its own now. These rules have no application whatsoever to the present case,' he said, adding, 'they (ECI) are wrong to invoke this rule.' Concurring with him, former Chief Election Commissioner O. P. Rawat told The Hindu that the rule quoted by the ECI is more applicable in cases like the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls, which is currently on in Bihar. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal said asking Mr. Gandhi to file the affidavit was 'a joke' since no inquiry can take place under the rule now. 'They are asking for affidavit to be filed and under a rule in which no inquiry can take place. It is a joke in itself. They will go to the people saying that Rahul Gandhi has been asked to submit an affidavit, but will not tell that no action can be taken under the said rule,' he said. According to Mr. Achary, since the ECI is a constitutional body entrusted with the preparation of Electoral Rolls under Article 324, it should be the duty of the poll body to enquire into allegations regarding serious frauds.
Shafaq News
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
IHEC reports fewer women running in Iraq's Parliamentary vote
Shafaq News - Al-Sulaymaniyah The number of female candidates in Iraq's upcoming November 11 parliamentary elections has declined compared to the previous Kurdistan Parliament polls, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) office in Al-Sulaymaniyah reported on Thursday. Speaking to Shafaq News, Amanj Aziz, the Office Director, revealed that nine political parties have submitted 130 candidates, including 37 women and 94 men, along with four independent candidates, all of whom are men. All party lists met the commission's requirement of a minimum 25% female representation. Aziz linked the lower share of female candidates to the national Electoral Law, which caps the quota at 25%, below the 30% reached in the previous Kurdistan Parliament elections. Weighing in on the issue, Bahar Mahmoud, an academic and former Kurdish MP, described the current quota as the minimum acceptable level of female participation, noting that representation could increase if more women run and win outside the quota system, a trend observed in past election cycles. 'The quota remains essential to address societal challenges in recognizing women's political roles,' Mahmoud said. 'There are still segments of the population that do not fully support women's political rights.' Emphasizing the importance of broader participation, Mahmoud confirmed that women should not be limited to legislative roles but also take on executive positions, stressing that their presence in decision-making helps advance advocacy for social issues, particularly women's rights.
Ya Libnan
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Lebanon's Diaspora Demands Full Voting Rights: Denying Equal Political Rights Is a Betrayal
By Ali Hussein Millions of Lebanese citizens live abroad—not by choice, but by necessity. They were driven out by war, corruption, economic collapse, and hopelessness. Yet despite the distance, they have never turned their backs on Lebanon. In its darkest hours, they became the country's lifeline, keeping it afloat with remittances, investments, and unwavering emotional and political support. Now, those very people are being told that their voices no longer matter. That their right to full political participation is negotiable. That their role is to send money, not to cast votes. This is nothing short of a betrayal. On July 2, 2025, the Lebanese Private Sector Network (LPSN) issued a powerful statement calling for the restoration of full voting rights to Lebanon's diaspora. 'The Lebanese diaspora must be granted the right to vote for all 128 members of Parliament based on the districts in which they are registered in Lebanon—not be limited to the six continental seats currently allocated to them,' the statement declared. The LPSN also emphasized that expatriates must continue to vote from their countries of residence, as they did during the 2022 elections. To deny them this right is to further alienate a population that has given more to Lebanon than many of its own politicians ever have. 'Restricting diaspora voting rights severs a vital connection between Lebanon and its global citizens,' the statement warned. And it's true. The diaspora's relationship with Lebanon is not symbolic. It is economic, social, emotional—and political. Amid years of failed governance and financial ruin, it was not the Lebanese state that came to the people's rescue. It was the diaspora. They wired money when salaries evaporated. They paid for food when families went hungry. They covered school fees, medical treatments, and emergency bills. Even after losing billions in Lebanon's bank collapse, they did not stop helping. Without the diaspora, entire regions of Lebanon could have faced famine. That is not an exaggeration. It is a fact. And yet, the political establishment, led by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, continues to block a draft law that restores full voting rights to these same citizens. The draft law—already endorsed by 65 members of Parliament, a clear majority—would amend articles 112, 121, and 122 of the Electoral Law, which currently restrict the diaspora to electing just 6 out of 128 MPs. That is 4.7% representation for a population that, by many estimates, far exceeds the number of Lebanese currently living in Lebanon . Denying full rights to this global majority is not only unjust—it is undemocratic and dangerously shortsighted. This is not only unjust—it is dangerous. Lebanon cannot afford to alienate its diaspora. Not morally, not politically, and certainly not economically. The survival of the nation has been deeply tied to its sons and daughters abroad. 'If it weren't for the diaspora, Lebanon might not even exist today as an independent and sovereign country,' said one diaspora member. He is right. To continue denying them equal political rights is to ignore history—and jeopardize the future. Speaker Berri must stop obstructing the will of the people. Parliament must bring the draft law to a vote. And Lebanon must finally recognize the diaspora for what it truly is: not a separate category of citizens, but an essential pillar of the republic. The choice is clear: include them fully—or risk losing them forever.
Shafaq News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's November elections: Al-Abadi Alliance hints at potential postponement
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the Victory Alliance (Al-Nasr), led by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, projected that political developments may lead to a shift in the November 11 parliamentary election date. Speaking to Shafaq News, alliance spokesperson Salam al-Zubaidi noted that the date had been officially announced by the government and endorsed by the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF). However, he cautioned that 'surprises' remain possible, pointing to the potential return of Muqtada al-Sadr's Patriotic Shiite Movement (Sadrist) and the conditions it could set, such as the early resignation of key executive officials. Although the timeline is currently supported by most political forces—the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and the government—al-Zubaidi stressed that no arrangement is 'entirely fixed.' He explained that if parliament reconvenes and efforts to revise the Electoral Law resurface, a postponement would become highly likely.
Shafaq News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Three lists, one goal: Iraq's CF bets on split to win majority
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) announced, on Saturday, plans to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for November 11, with three separate electoral lists to maximize its chances of securing a parliamentary majority. Alaa Nima al-Bandawi, a member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee within CF told Shafaq News that the Framework's main factions agreed to distribute their candidates across different constituencies to secure more seats and ease the process of forming the next government. 'The approach aims to enhance the Framework's parliamentary strength, and a formal coalition would likely be formed after the election results are announced to reflect each faction's electoral weight and popular base,' he explained. Commenting on reports of defections from the alliance, al-Bandawi said recent developments were "protest withdrawals" rather than formal exits, sparked by discontent over Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's secret meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Qatar. He emphasized the Framework's cohesion and expressed optimism that it would remain intact beyond the elections, crediting it with supporting the current government and securing a large bloc in parliament. Al-Bandawi ruled out amendments to the Electoral Law ahead of the vote, warning that changes could delay the election and burden the government with additional costs. Tensions within the Coordination Framework surfaced earlier this week during a meeting marred by the absence of some leaders and disputes over internal and external policies. Sources told Shafaq News that Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali skipped the meeting, while State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki left early due to disagreements, particularly regarding Iraq's growing ties with Syria. A planned electoral alliance within the Coordination Framework, known as Tahaluf al-Qarar (Decision Alliance), appeared to falter even before its official launch. Efforts to form the new united front were reportedly derailed by disputes between al-Sudani and Hadi al-Amiri, head of the Badr Organization. Negotiations also broke down with Ahmad al-Asadi, leader of the Sanad Bloc, over disagreements concerning the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the proposed PMF law, which was recently withdrawn from parliament. Sources previously told Shafaq News that the Decision Alliance aimed to bring together al-Sudani's Al-Furatain Movement, al-Amiri's Badr Organization, and Falih al-Fayyadh, the head of the PMF. Talks were also underway to include al-Asadi, Abu Alaa al-Wala'i of the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, and the Huqooq Movement, affiliated with Kata'ib Hezbollah. While these factions once formed the backbone of the Coordination Framework, widening rifts have pushed groups like the State of Law Coalition, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, and the National Wisdom Movement (al-Hikma) to consider running independently in the upcoming elections, with the possibility of regrouping after the results.
