-The Hindu The UID number, popularly known as Aadhaar, was envisaged as an end to fake or multiple identities The UID number, popularly known as Aadhaar, was envisaged as an end to fake or multiple identities. However, the ambitious scheme has been facing controversies and successive governments have been silent on questions on the security of personal data collected by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). A Constitution Bench of the...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: As the government moves to set up a more empowered panel for OBCs amid agitations from strong communities to secure "backward" status, experts are warning that the Centre should prevent growing attempts to abuse the fruits of Mandal Commission. PS Krishnan, domain expert and a champion of OBC reservations, told TOI, "The government should prevent the efforts of well-established advanced communities to get into the list...

-The Indian Express VVPAT machines produce a printout of the vote cast using an EVM, which can be shown to the voter to dispel any doubts IN A letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi four months ago, the Election Commission sought urgent release of funds to procure enough Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines to cover all polling stations ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections in 2019. The EC has...

-Scroll.in In this environment of majoritarianism, we must seriously consider proportional representation, adds SY Quraishi. SY Quraishi, who was Chief Election Commissioner from July 2011 to June 2012, is known to be outspoken about several issues regarding electoral reform both when he was in the Election Commission and after he retired. He has asked for public funding of political parties, putting an expenditure cap on them, financial transparency among parties, and...

-The Indian Express Indian farmers are facing multiple crises. Punjab’s case highlights their problems. THE ANSWER TO who will form the next government in Punjab is currently sealed in the ballot boxes. Meanwhile, there are reports that the Election Commission has written to the home minister, reinforcing its demand to make electoral bribery a cognisable offence. But what about the assurances made in election manifestos which promise voters the moon before the...