Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch

25/09/2026

Analysis of Sitting MPs/MLAs Who Changed Political Parties After Winning Elections in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and State Assemblies

: https://adrindia.org/content/Analysis-of-MPs-%26-MLAs-Who-Changed-Parties-After-Winning-Elections

ADR's Appeal:
Over the past few years, the availability of funds has become a major challenge, and it has grown increasingly difficult to sustain our operations and continue awareness campaigns as before. Now, we need your help to achieve the goal of reducing the influence of money and muscle power in politics and elections, making political parties more transparent and accountable in their functioning, and strengthening our democracy.
Donation Link: http://ow.ly/rNuo50YzFA9

15/09/2026

On this International Day of Democracy, ADR vows to continue strengthening Indian Democracy.

On this occasion, we are releasing our Annual Report 2025-26. During this period, we have released 36 reports, analysed 2,866 contesting candidates' affidavits and 1,169 political parties, covered 13 elections (excluding the Rajya Sabha Election), and reached more than one crore voters. In our PIL on SIR, the Supreme Court directed the ECI to treat Aadhaar Card as the 12th identity document.

Support us in strengthening Indian Democracy!
As institutional donations have shrunk over the years, we are now heavily dependent on individual donations. ADR requires 3 crores annually to sustain itself. We are seeking 1,000 donors who can donate INR 2,500 monthly. Will you be our supporter and be a part of our journey to a stronger Indian democracy?

Annual Report Link:https://adrindia.org/sites/default/files/Annual_Report%20_FY_2025-26_2.pdf

Donation Link: http://ow.ly/rNuo50YzFA9

12/09/2026

To honour Prof. Jagdeep Singh Chhokar's legacy, ADR organised a memorial lecture in his memory on 03rd September 2026 on “Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service” by Shri Ashok Lavasa (former Election Commissioner of India) at Raja Ram Mohun Roy Memorial Hall, New Delhi.
Memorial Lecture Link:

To honour Prof. Jagdeep Singh Chhokar's legacy, ADR organised a mem...

12/09/2026

Remembering Prof. Jagdeep Singh Chhokar on his First Death Anniversary

As we mark one year since Prof. Chhokar's passing, all of us at ADR pause to remember a teacher, mentor, friend, and guiding force behind the institution we are privileged to be a part of.

His presence continues to be felt in so many ways. It lives in the work we do, the questions we ask, our insistence on transparency and accountability, and our belief that democracy becomes stronger when citizens are informed and empowered.

Prof. Chhokar gave ADR not only his vision and years of dedicated work, but also something more enduring: a set of values that continue to guide us. His commitment to public interest, his intellectual curiosity, his courage to question and his unwavering faith in the power of citizens remain an inspiration to the entire ADR family.

To honour Prof. Jagdeep Singh Chhokar's legacy, ADR organised a memorial lecture in his memory on 03rd September 2026 on “Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service” by Shri Ashok Lavasa (former Election Commissioner of India) at Raja Ram Mohun Roy Memorial Hall, New Delhi.
Memorial Lecture Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMVsU1zQohA

During the event, a memorial book on Prof. Chhokar was released. The book contains his life journey, some of the articles authored by him, and some of the tributes given to him post his passing.
Memorial Book Link:https://adrindia.org/sites/default/files/Memorial%20Book-Prof.%20Chhokar-Compressed.pdf

Memorial Lecture Newsletter Link: https://mailchi.mp/a875897e95d9/remembering-prof-jagdeep-singh-chhokar-on-his-first-death-anniversary

11/09/2026

असम, केरल, पुदुचेरी , तमिलनाडु , और पश्चिम बंगाल विधानसभा चुनाव 2026: राजनीतिक दलों द्वारा प्रस्तुत प्रारूप C7 का विश्लेषण

: https://adrindia.org/content/Analysis-of-Format-C7-Assam-Kerala-Tamil-Nadu-Puducherry-and-West-Bengal-Assembly-Elections-2026

एडीआर की अपील:
पिछले कुछ वर्षों से, धन की उपलब्धता एक बड़ी चुनौती बनती जा रही है, और हमारे संचालन को बनाए रखना और जागरूकता अभियान को पहले की तरह जारी रखना कठिन होता जा रहा है। अब हमें राजनीति और चुनावों में धन और बाहुबल को कम करने, राजनीतिक दलों को उनके कामकाज में पारदर्शी और जवाबदेह बनाने औरहमारे लोकतंत्र को मजबूत करने के लक्ष्य को साकार करने में आपकी सहायता की आवश्यकता है।
दान लिंक: https://ow.ly/rNuo50YzFA9

11/09/2026

Analysis of Format C7 - Publication of Reasons Given for Selection of Candidates with Criminal Cases by Political Parties in the Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry Assembly Elections 2026

: https://adrindia.org/content/Analysis-of-Format-C7-Assam-Kerala-Tamil-Nadu-Puducherry-and-West-Bengal-Assembly-Elections-2026

ADR's Appeal:
Over the past few years, the availability of funds has become a major challenge, and it has grown increasingly difficult to sustain our operations and continue awareness campaigns as before. Now, we need your help to achieve the goal of reducing the influence of money and muscle power in politics and elections, making political parties more transparent and accountable in their functioning, and strengthening our democracy.
Donation Link: http://ow.ly/rNuo50YzFA9

07/09/2026

On behalf of ADR, Ms Shelly Mahajan, Program and Research Manager (Political Party Watch), discusses with the BBC the concerns surrounding the political funding & expenditure of Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs), including significant gaps in financial disclosures and transparency.

ADR's research history on RUPPs:
ADR has been systematically tracking and analysing the financial disclosures of RUPPs since 2018. Through the ADR Political Party Watch initiative, we have examined audit and contribution reports, filed RTIs, documented gaps in financial reporting, and shared our findings with the Election Commission of India. Out of more than 2500 currently functional RUPPs, the majority fail to even submit their reports to State Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs).

Advocacy by ADR on RUPPs:
Many RTI applications were filed at the state-level with CEOs to highlight this matter, which led to show-cause notices being issued to defaulting parties. These reports have also been covered by several media outlets, creating awareness among the public and generating momentum around this issue. The Election Commission has taken rigorous steps to delist inactive RUPPs over the last few years. The Income Tax authorities also took cognisance and conducted raids on the defaulting parties.

ADR's reports on RUPPs can be accessed from here: https://adrindia.org/content/registered-unrecognised-parties-report

Link to the BBC article on the RUPPs: https://www.bbc.com/hindi/articles/cwyznwl3j0do?xtor=AL-71-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bhindi%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_link_origin=BBCHindi&at_medium=social&at_link_type=web_link&at_campaign_type=owned&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_format=link&at_link_id=F23D21FE-A84B-11F1-B09F-DF9558BBAEB0

Link to the BBC video on RUPPs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk7DJNrg1ik (Hindi); https://youtu.be/6LXkt27V0Y8?si=A2gE5vXFeJ510UJy (English)

ADR latest report on RUPPs will be out soon. Stay tuned.

04/09/2026

On 03rd September 2026, ADR organised Prof. Jagdeep Singh Chhokar Memorial Lecture on “Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service” by Shri Ashok Lavasa (former Election Commissioner of India) at Raja Ram Mohun Roy Memorial Hall, New Delhi.

During the event, a memorial book on Prof. Chhokar was released. The book contains his life journey, some of the articles authored by him, and some of the tributes given to him post his passing. Ms Nandini Raj (Program Manager (Communications) at ADR) prepared the memorial book.

Book Launch Picture Description (from L to R): Maj Gen Anil Verma (Retd) (Head of ADR), Prof. Trilochan Sastry (Chairman, Founder Member & Trustee of ADR), Shri Ashok Lavasa, Dr Kiran Chhokar (Trustee of ADR), Dr Ajit Ranade (Founder Member & Trustee of ADR), and Ms Nandini Raj.

02/09/2026

पश्चिम बंगाल विधानसभा चुनाव 2026: विधायकों द्वारा घोषित चुनाव खर्च विवरण का विश्लेषण

: https://adrindia.org/content/Analysis-of-Election-Expenditure-Statements-of-MLAs--West-Bengal-Assembly-2026

एडीआर की अपील:
पिछले कुछ वर्षों से, धन की उपलब्धता एक बड़ी चुनौती बनती जा रही है, और हमारे संचालन को बनाए रखना और जागरूकता अभियान को पहले की तरह जारी रखना कठिन होता जा रहा है। अब हमें राजनीति और चुनावों में धन और बाहुबल को कम करने, राजनीतिक दलों को उनके कामकाज में पारदर्शी और जवाबदेह बनाने औरहमारे लोकतंत्र को मजबूत करने के लक्ष्य को साकार करने में आपकी सहायता की आवश्यकता है।
दान लिंक: https://ow.ly/rNuo50YzFA9

02/09/2026

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: Analysis of Election Expenditure Statements of MLAs

: https://adrindia.org/content/Analysis-of-Election-Expenditure-Statements-of-MLAs--West-Bengal-Assembly-2026

ADR's Appeal:
Over the past few years, the availability of funds has become a major challenge, and it has grown increasingly difficult to sustain our operations and continue awareness campaigns as before. Now, we need your help to achieve the goal of reducing the influence of money and muscle power in politics and elections, making political parties more transparent and accountable in their functioning, and strengthening our democracy.
Donation Link: https://ow.ly/rNuo50YzFA9