CURRENT AFFAIRS | 24 APRIL 2026
CLAT GK + POLITY — ECI, ELECTORAL ROLLS, ADULT SUFFRAGE
On 23 April 2026, West Bengal recorded a 92.88% voter turnout in Phase-1 of its Assembly polls (152 of 294 seats), up sharply from 82.64% in 2021, as per ECINET. Tamil Nadu, polling all 234 seats in a single phase, logged 85.15% — the highest since 1952 and a decisive break past the previous record of 78.29% set in 2011. Chennai posted a first-ever 81% turnout, while Murshidabad saw four seats above 96%.
This is the first general election conducted under the Election Commission’s new Special Intensive Revision (SIR). In West Bengal, SIR deleted 11.63% of the rolls — 27.10 lakh names — with 19 appellate tribunals constituted and 139 names added back after hearings. TMC has argued the record turnout despite deletions vindicates its mandate; BJP reads it as anti-incumbency momentum. Across the SIR 2025-26 draft stage, 58 lakh names were removed, and another 32 lakh in the notice period.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| WB Phase-1 Turnout | 92.88% (vs 82.64% in 2021) |
| TN Turnout | 85.15% (highest since 1952) |
| Previous TN Record | 78.29% (2011) |
| WB SIR Deletions | 11.63% of rolls (27.10 lakh names) |
| Appellate Tribunals | 19 set up; 139 names added back |
| Candidates | 1,478 in fray (WB Phase-1) |
Constitutional Framework
- Article 324 — Superintendence, direction and control of elections vested in ECI.
- Article 325 — Single general electoral roll for every constituency; no exclusion on grounds only of religion, race, caste or sex.
- Article 326 — Elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage (≥18 years).
- Article 327 — Parliament’s power to make laws regulating elections to Parliament and State Legislatures.
- Article 328 — State Legislatures’ power to make laws on State-level elections.
- Article 329 — Bar on judicial interference in electoral matters except by election petition.
Statutory & Case-Law Scaffolding
- Representation of the People Act, 1950 — Section 21 — Preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
- RP Act 1950 — Sections 22-23 — Correction and deletion of entries.
- RP Act 1950 — Section 24 — Appeals against inclusion/exclusion.
- RP Act, 1951 — Conduct of elections, disqualifications, election petitions.
- Mohinder Singh Gill v CEC (1978) — Article 324 as a reservoir of residuary power; ECI’s plenary jurisdiction.
- Lily Thomas v UoI (2013) — Struck down Section 8(4) RPA 1951; immediate disqualification on conviction.
- Kihoto Hollohan v Zachillhu (1992) — Upheld Tenth Schedule (anti-defection); Speaker’s decisions subject to judicial review.
- ADR v UoI (2002) — Right to know candidate’s criminal, financial and educational antecedents as part of Art 19(1)(a).
CLAT 2027 Perspective
Near-certain current-affairs anchor for CLAT 2027 GK + Legal Reasoning. Expect a passage-based question on ECI’s plenary powers under Art 324, the distinction between Summary Revision and Special Intensive Revision, and the appellate architecture under Section 24 of RPA 1950. Factual GK: 92.88% WB, 85.15% TN, 11.63% SIR deletion, 19 appellate tribunals. Strong cross-link with Mohinder Singh Gill, Lily Thomas and NOTA (PUCL v UoI, 2013).
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
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