Electoral

• The author argues that forcing India's state electoral cycles to align with the central government prioritizes administrative convenience over democratic substance. • This push for uniformity pressures voters to elect the same party at both levels, effectively coercing regional alignment under the guise of developmental efficiency. • The current dynamic penalizes states that choose independent political paths, often resulting in those states being starved of essential federal resources.

• Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition suffered a significant electoral defeat in Negeri Sembilan, driven by a surge in Malay unity. • The results reflect growing disillusionment with Anwar's leadership and a shift toward Sabah-based parties and regional autonomy. • Political analysts warn that if UMNO and PAS maintain their alliance, PH risks being marginalized and confined to urban strongholds.

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition faces a critical electoral test in the Negeri Sembilan state polls scheduled for August 1. • PH is battling to retain power against a combined "Malay-Muslim unity" narrative pushed by rivals Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN). • The shift is highlighted by hardcore UMNO supporters who now view a BN-PN alliance as a better fit for uniting the Malay vote than the current PH partnership.

Exclusive: Reform’s Robert Jenrick says party confident it followed all rules at the time, after latest Guardian revelationsThe Electoral Commission has been asked to investigate whether Reform UK has broken donations rules, after the Guardian revealed that the convicted fraudster George Cottrell transferred more than $2m to his mother in the days before her donations to the party in 2024.Labour’s new chair, Bridget Phillipson, wrote to the commission on Thursday asking for it to examine the donations and whether they had been recorded correctly. Continue reading...

• The Monsoon Session of Parliament has commenced with the potential introduction of the controversial Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, known as the "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) Bill. • The proposal aims to synchronize elections, addressing concerns that frequent polling cycles lead to development programs being put on hold due to government restrictions during election periods. • Critics and observers highlight that current election windows typically last 35-40 days, though Lok Sabha polls are extended across multiple phases that could be compressed under the new system.

• President Donald Trump delivered a presidential address on Thursday, July 16, 2026, which critics argue was designed to destabilize the U.S. electoral system. • The address leveraged the authority of the presidency and U.S. intelligence agencies to cast doubt on the integrity of American elections. • This action is seen as a strategic effort to undermine public confidence in the voting process ahead of the November midterm elections.

US president accused China of meddling in his 2020 election defeat and said system was ‘catastrophically’ unfair. Plus Christopher Nolan’s epic take on The Odyssey hits the big screenGood morning. Donald Trump accused China of interfering with the 2020 election in a primetime televised address that laid bare his continuing obsession with his defeat to Joe Biden, but which opponents warned was a smokescreen for him to meddle in the forthcoming congressional midterms. Trump’s claims are unverified.In a 25-minute speech, the US president cast extraordinary doubts on the integrity of the US electoral process, saying it was “catastrophically” short of standards of fairness and trust, while vulnerable to trespassing by foreign powers. Democrats warned that Trump was trying to sow confusion, spread misinformation and lay the groundwork to challenge the results of the midterm elections.What was the aim of Trump’s address? In this analysis piece, Sam Levine explains how the president is using his office and US intelligence agencies to try to undermine confidence in elections. Instead of offering smoking-gun evidence, the release of new papers seemed to be a return to a classic Trump strategy of flooding the zone with information in an attempt to muddy the waters.What did US networks do about broadcasting Trump’s allegations? The US’s largest television stations split on whether to air Trump’s White House address, which was filled with unproven accusations. While CNN, ABC and NBC chose not to air the speech live, CBS, Fox News and MS Now (formerly MSNBC) aired at least large portions of the speech live.What did Rubio say? “They can call themselves anti-capitalist or anti-imperialist, communist, anarchist or Marxist. It’s always the same. It is a poisonous resentment cloaked in the language of equality and justice liberation – an overwhelming need to tear down, to wreck, what is beautiful and what is right on behalf of people who are only filled with ugliness,” he said. He called leftists “an encroaching darkness” and “the enemies of civilization”. Continue reading...

• The article examines whether the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) can transition from electoral success to effective governance, drawing on the political history of the region. • It contrasts the legacy of the previous administration, which is credited with strong GDP growth, expanded electricity access, and digital governance, against criticisms of weakened press freedom and institutional independence. • The analysis highlights the tension between prioritizing economic stability and infrastructure development versus maintaining political pluralism and democratic norms.

• Approximately 88 Labour MPs, representing over one-fifth of the party's House of Commons presence, are calling for the establishment of a body to investigate electoral reform. • The movement seeks to challenge Britain's "first past the post" voting system, with high-profile support from potential leadership contender Andy Burnham. • This push for reform highlights internal party pressure to move toward a more proportional representation system to ensure fairer election outcomes.

Parliamentary authorities are already looking into a £5m donation to the Reform Uk leader from the crypto billionaire Christopher HarborneGood morning. One of the reasons why Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, is relatively popular is because he presents as genial and good-natured. A rather different Farage was on display last night, after he angrily berated a Sky News cameraman who doorstepped him as he arrived back in the UK off a flight from the US. Farage also accused Sky News of harassing his family, which Sky denies. Perhaps Farage had a grim journey next to a noisy passenger in economy, but it is hard not to conclude that the outburst has more to do with Farage fearing that the ongoing controversy about his failure to declare gifts and support he received in the period shortly before he became an MP in 2024 could fatally damage his chances of becoming PM.The Labour party has posted the clip. Continue reading...

Leader of France’s far-right National Rally and a contender for the presidency set to hear appeal decision on TuesdayMarine Le Pen, France’s far-right figurehead and a leading contender for its presidency, will learn on Tuesday whether she can run in next year’s election when a Paris appeals court rules on her attempt to overturn a ban on holding elected office.The ruling will determine whether the far-right National Rally (RN) will be led by Le Pen, 57, or her young protege, Jordan Bardella, 30 in next year’s general elections. Continue reading...

• Former diplomat and author DP Srivastava has criticized Islamabad for interfering in the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) elections, claiming the electoral mandate has been "completely distorted." • The unrest is driven by protesters demanding the immediate abolition of "refugee seats" within the PoJK legislative assembly, which they view as a constitutional trigger for public fury. • This situation highlights the growing instability and governance crisis in the region as local populations challenge the legitimacy of the current electoral framework.

• Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated on Monday that India's electoral process is the most transparent among the world's major democracies. • He highlighted that every stage of the exercise, including voter list preparation, polling, and counting, is audited by candidates and political parties. • These remarks were made while Kumar was chairing a session for International IDEA, emphasizing the robustness of India's democratic systems.

• The Dharwad district administration is launching a month-long Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls starting June 30 to ensure a transparent voting process. • Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Snehal R initiated the drive on Monday by flagging off a mega awareness rally at the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation office. • The exercise comes amid ongoing political debate and criticism from civil society groups regarding the revision process.

• The Supreme Court recently upheld the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR), sparking a debate over potential voter disenfranchisement. • The ruling highlights a constitutional tension between Article 324, which grants the Commission supervisory powers, and Articles 327 and 328, which reserve election rule-making for the legislative process. • This decision matters because it suggests a judicial trend toward expanding the Election Commission's authority, potentially blurring the line between administrative supervision and legislative lawmaking.

• The Supreme Court of India issued a series of landmark judgments in May 2026, covering diverse legal areas including electoral integrity, human trafficking, and property law. • Key rulings include the upholding of Bihar's electoral roll revision, the extension of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), and the issuance of a comprehensive Victim Protection Plan for human trafficking survivors. • The Court further clarified critical legal frameworks regarding bail jurisprudence, the Benami Act, and gender equality within matrimonial law.

The GOP-friendly map approved by state lawmakers now goes to Republican governor who is expected to sign itSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailLouisiana Republicans approved a new congressional map on Friday which would eliminate a majority-Black congressional district that was at the center of a landmark supreme court ruling gutting section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.The new map reconfigures the state’s sixth congressional district, now represented by Cleo Fields, a Black Democrat. Lawmakers drew the district in 2024 after a court found the map lawmakers enacted after the 2020 census diluted the influence of Black voters and violated section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The new map will probably give Republicans control of five of Louisiana’s six congressional seats (the previous map had a 4-2 Republican-Democrat split). The bill now goes to Louisiana’s Republican governor, Jeff Landry, who is expected to sign it. Continue reading...

• Following the 2024 General Elections where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 240 seats—falling 32 short of a majority—the party has regained momentum in regional politics. • The BJP has secured resounding majorities in several subsequent Assembly elections, either independently or through alliances, across states including Haryana and Maharashtra. • This trend indicates a strategic recovery for the party, extending its influence into key regions such as Delhi, Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal.

Greater Manchester police made the arrests after concerns over several independent candidates in May’s local electionFive people have been arrested as part of a police investigation into allegations that fake independent candidates were used to influence the outcome of a local election in Tameside.Greater Manchester police said four men and a woman, aged between 23 and 47, were arrested on suspicion of fraud offences on Thursday morning in the Ashton-under-Lyne area. Continue reading...

Manchester mayor and Labour’s Makerfield byelection candidate wants to make politics ‘less point-scoring, more problem-solving’UK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has said he will back sweeping changes to the electoral system to make politics “less point-scoring, more problem-solving” if he becomes prime minister.The Greater Manchester mayor has previously called for the introduction of proportional representations for UK general elections, handing more power to minority parties like the Greens. Continue reading...

Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee and more are pushing to eliminate Democratic districts after supreme court rulingUS southern states are rushing to redraw congressional maps to eliminate Democratic districts and dilute the influence of Black voters in electing candidates, a bare-knuckled blitz occurring even in some states where voting in congressional primaries has begun, and prompted by the US supreme court’s decision gutting section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.Tennessee Republicans have already enacted a new map, carving up the majority Black city of Memphis into three different congressional districts to get rid of the state’s lone Democrat in Congress. Louisiana, the state at the center of the supreme court’s Voting Rights Act decision, is on the brink of implementing a new map that would eliminate the seat of one of the state’s two Black Democrats in Congress. Alabama has successfully petitioned the US supreme court to allow it to eliminate a district currently represented by a Black Democrat. Instead, it will use a map this cycle that a court previously ruled was intentionally drawn to discriminate against Black voters. Continue reading...

Brian Kemp’s move makes Georgia latest southern state to initiate map-making after dismantling of Voting Rights ActThe Republican governor of Georgia called a special session for next month to redraw electoral maps, the latest southern state to initiate a new map-making after the US supreme court’s dismantling of the Voting Rights Act.Brian Kemp announced the special session, which will start on 17 June, on Wednesday. It will focus on “enacting, revising, repealing, or amending” district lines for the state legislature and congressional district, in light of the supreme court’s decision in Louisiana v Callais. Continue reading...

New voting maps flipped four Republican-held seats to give Democrats an edge in redistricting race sparked by TrumpVirginia Democrats asked the US supreme court on Monday to revive a congressional map designed to boost their party’s chances in November’s midterm elections, turning to the court as Republicans – including allies of Donald Trump – seek to preserve narrow control of Congress.The case thrusts Virginia into an unusual, mid-decade redistricting showdown, as courts weigh whether lawmakers can remake House districts outside the normal post-census cycle – with control of a narrowly divided Congress potentially hanging in the balance. Continue reading...

Debates over secession overshadowed by revelations separatist-linked group gained access to list of electorsThe illegal use of voter information by rightwing separatists in the province of Alberta has raised fresh fears over Canada’s electoral integrity by making valuable and “incredibly confidential” personal data easily accessible to malicious actors, security experts have warned.The data breach, one of the largest in Canadian history, has prompted warnings of a “truly terrifying” new battleground over information, persuasion and foreign interference in already weakened democratic systems. Continue reading...

State’s governor and attorney general move to postpone midterm 2026 primaries just a day after supreme court ruling guts Voting Rights ActLouisiana postpones primaries as states rush to redraw districts after supreme court rulingHere’s more of that statement from Louisiana attorney general Liz Murrill and Republican governor Jeff Landry:Yesterday’s historic Supreme Court victory for Louisiana has an immediate consequence for the State. The Supreme Court previously stayed an injunction against the State’s enforcement of the current Congressional map. By the Court’s order, however, that stay automatically terminated with yesterday’s decision. Accordingly, the State is currently enjoined from carrying out congressional elections under the current map. We are working together with the Legislature and the Secretary of State’s office to develop a path forward. Continue reading...

Electoral Commission is investigating claims money given to MP came from US businessman now convicted of wire fraudUK politics live – latest updatesLabour has called on Robert Jenrick to give up almost £40,000 donated to his campaign to be Conservative leader in 2024 following allegations that the sum came from an impermissible foreign donor now convicted of fraud.The party called for Jenrick to make a donation to charity after the Guardian revealed the Electoral Commission has been investigating claims that £37,500 out of £100,000 given to his campaign by a UK company Spott Fitness ultimately came from a company run by a US-based businessman, Gary Klopfenstein. Continue reading...

Redrawn map could flip up to five seats to Republicans as Trump’s party seeks to keep control of CongressThe US supreme court formally reinstated on Monday a redrawn Texas electoral map that was designed to add more Republicans to the US House of Representatives, as Donald Trump’s party seeks to keep control of Congress in the November congressional elections.The move by the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, formalizes an interim decision it made in December to revive the map of US House districts in Texas. Continue reading...

Experts say Muslims and other minorities have been disproportionately deleted from the electoral roll ahead of the West Bengal elections this weekMillions of people in the Indian state of West Bengal have been stripped of their vote ahead of a critical state election this week, after a controversial electoral revision described by critics as a “bloodless political genocide” and mass disenfranchisement of minorities.In West Bengal, a total of 9.1 million names have been deleted from the register, more than 10% of the electorate. While many were dead or duplicates, about 2.7 million people have challenged their expulsions, but still been removed. Continue reading...