INDIA Bloc Plans October 6 March to Election Commission, Steps Up Campaign Over Electoral Rolls

The INDIA bloc has announced a fresh round of protests against the Election Commission, with Opposition MPs set to march to the poll panel’s office in New Delhi on October 6 as the parties intensify their campaign over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Opposition leaders as parties discussed a coordinated strategy to raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission. The Opposition has been using the term “vote chori” to describe its allegations concerning voter-list revisions and has demanded greater transparency in the electoral process. The October 6 march is part of a wider programme planned by the INDIA bloc. Opposition parties are also expected to organise district-level “Save Democracy” marches between October 2 and 8. Leaders have discussed further mobilisation across states as they seek to keep the issue of electoral rolls and voting rights at the centre of their political campaign.

The bloc is also considering a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October to present its concerns regarding the electoral process. In addition, Opposition parties have planned several large public rallies, including a major gathering in Delhi on November 1.

The campaign has intensified following continuing disagreements between Opposition parties and the Election Commission over the SIR exercise. The Opposition has alleged that changes to electoral rolls could result in legitimate voters being excluded. The Election Commission, however, has maintained that its decisions have been taken within the constitutional and legal framework governing electoral rolls and elections.

The controversy has also focused attention on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Several Opposition leaders have demanded his resignation and have raised questions about the manner in which the poll panel has handled the revision of electoral rolls. Earlier, Opposition parties had initiated efforts in Parliament seeking Kumar’s removal.

At the latest meeting, leaders reiterated their intention to coordinate protests both inside and outside Parliament. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also urged Opposition parties to continue their campaign against what he has described as irregularities involving voter lists and electronic voting machines. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who attended the meeting, also criticised the Election Commission’s functioning and called for Kumar to step down. She said the agitation would be intensified if the demand was not addressed.

The Opposition’s renewed mobilisation comes as the Election Commission has announced several measures aimed at easing difficulties associated with the SIR process, including additional assistance for voters and steps to facilitate registration and corrections. The INDIA bloc plans to continue its campaign through parliamentary action, public meetings and street protests in the coming weeks, keeping electoral-roll revisions and the functioning of the Election Commission at the centre of its programme.