INDIA Bloc Takes Protest to Election Commission
The INDIA bloc stepped up its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 6, with Opposition MPs marching from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi.
The protest focused on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the voter-list revision process.
Rahul Gandhi Leads ‘Save Democracy’ March
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi joined the march along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other INDIA bloc leaders. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans demanding action against the Election Commission.
Gandhi also called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, intensifying the Opposition’s attack on the poll panel.
MPs Stopped Near NITI Aayog
The march did not reach the Election Commission headquarters. Security personnel stopped the MPs near the NITI Aayog office, following heavy barricading and security deployment in central Delhi.
Several Opposition leaders subsequently staged a dharna after being prevented from continuing towards Nirvachan Sadan.
SIR at the Centre of the Dispute
The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of mishandling the Special Intensive Revision and has raised concerns about the possible exclusion of eligible voters.
INDIA bloc parties have demanded greater transparency in voter-list revisions, including details of additions, deletions and corrections, along with safeguards for legitimate voters.
Form 6 Controversy Adds to Tensions
The protest also comes amid a dispute over changes linked to Form 6, the application used for voter enrolment.
The Supreme Court recently clarified that it had not approved a modified version of Form 6 and said it would examine relevant Election Commission records. The Opposition has used the development to strengthen its criticism of the poll panel.
Election Commission Rejects Allegations
The Election Commission has disputed the Opposition’s interpretation of the Form 6 issue and maintained that the SIR-related declaration was legally valid. The poll body has also rejected suggestions of internal division over the exercise, saying decisions concerning SIR were taken unanimously.
Opposition Campaign Set to Continue
The October 6 march is part of a broader INDIA bloc campaign against the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. Opposition parties have indicated that protests and political mobilisation will continue as the dispute over electoral rolls moves through both political and legal channels.
