On ECINet platform, access for States can be switched off and on centrally: report
ECINet, the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) comprehensive digital platform, has a feature through which viewing of enumeration form details is enabled State by State. This means that access for State Nodal Officers (SNOs) could be switched off anytime making it a centralised platform, according to an audit by ‘Charchagram’, a civic tech initiative.
In Delhi, only 0.27% of 4.5 lakh Form 6s disposed of so far
Only 1,238 of the 4.5 lakh Form 6 applications seeking inclusion in Delhi’s electoral roll have been disposed of in 42 days, data accessed by The Hindu show. With Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in the city, eligible citizens left out of the draft roll, published on August 31, are required to fill Form 6, meant for new voters, in the ongoing claims and objections period to seek inclusion in the final roll.
Bengal CM defends decision to shift stampede injured to private hospital, cites better care
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) defended the government’s decision to shift those injured in the Kolkata stampede from a State-run hospital to a private one, saying it was to ensure the best possible treatment and prevent further loss of life. Speaking to reporters after visiting the health department’s control room at Swasthya Bhavan on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) evening, he said the decision was taken on the spot after authorities assessed the treatment facilities available at State-run hospitals.
Kashmir clerics, including Mirwaiz, say eviction of Delhi’s historic Race Course mosque ‘deeply disturbing’
Kashmir clerics, including chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) termed the eviction notice to a mosque in Delhi’s historic Race Course as “deeply disturbing”. “Deeply disturbing that Delhi’s historic Race Course Mosque, a gazetted Waqf property since 1977 and a listed heritage site, faces eviction within six days. Equally alarming is the reported failure of the Waqf authorities to defend it. Is this becoming the new normal for Muslim places of worship?” said the Mirwaiz.
Left parties should sell books from party offices, not at Durga Puja pandals, says West Bengal CM
Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding attacks on book stalls of Left parties at Durga Puja pandals, West Bengal Chief Minister on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) said that Left parties should sell books from their party offices in the State instead of setting up book stalls at Durga Puja pandals. “Those who do not believe in Durga Pujas or any other Pujas, it is better that they should not be allowed to sell books during Durga Puja. Keep the books inside your party offices, make a library and sell books from there. There are 4,000 to 5,000 party offices like palaces in the State and all of them are open,” Mr. Adhikari said.
At Dussehra rally, Uddhav bats for ‘regime change’, promises ‘acche din’ after ousting BJP
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) asserted that the Opposition, including his party, has stood up for bringing about a ‘regime change’ and promised to usher in ‘acche din’ (good days) after dislodging the BJP-led government at the Centre. Addressing the annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, Mr. Thackeray insisted that staging a protest is the right of youth because ‘vote chori’ (vote theft) is happening with everyone, especially new voters.
One dead, few injured in firing inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai
One person was killed, and a few others were injured after unidentified assailants opened fire inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), which covers parts of Mumbai and Thane districts, in the early hours of Tuesday (October 20, 2026), police said. The incident occurred in the SGNP’s Chena beat in the Yeoor Range, Thane, they said. After being alerted, forest department personnel along with police teams rushed to the spot for inspection.
Iran security chief rejects moving enriched uranium out of country
Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) told the visiting Pakistani army chief Asim Munir that Tehran would not allow nuclear material to leave the country, according to state TV. “Not even a tiny bit of enriched nuclear material will leave Iran; such materials constitute a major asset and national wealth for the Iranian people, intended for use within the country,” said Mr. Rezaei, Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Zelensky, U.S. envoys hold Oslo talks as Ukraine claims U.S. missile holdup
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks in Oslo with top U.S. envoys on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) in a bid to get strained relations with Washington “on a more constructive path”, Norway said. “Ukraine is working for peace. I thank our partners for their support!” Mr. Zelensky said in a social media post after his arrival in the Norwegian capital.