INDIA Bloc Leaders March Towards Election Commission, Protest Over Electoral Roll Revision

Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc marched towards the Election Commission’s office in New Delhi on Monday, October 6, protesting against the ongoing revision of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration was led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and saw the participation of several opposition MPs and senior leaders.

The march began from the Parliament complex as opposition parties stepped up their campaign against the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protesters sought to raise concerns over the process and alleged that the exercise could affect the rights of eligible voters.

The procession was stopped by security personnel near the NITI Aayog office, where barricades had been put up to prevent the protesters from proceeding towards Nirvachan Sadan. Rahul Gandhi was seen attempting to cross the barricades while carrying the national flag as opposition leaders continued to raise slogans.

After the march was halted, several opposition leaders gathered at the spot and staged a sit-in protest. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was among those who joined the protest. The demonstration continued as opposition MPs reiterated their demands concerning the Election Commission and the electoral roll revision exercise.

The INDIA bloc has been increasingly critical of the Election Commission over the SIR process, particularly regarding the verification and deletion of names from electoral rolls. Opposition parties have alleged that the exercise could disproportionately affect voters, while the Election Commission has maintained that electoral roll revisions are intended to ensure that voter lists remain accurate and contain eligible voters.

The latest protest comes amid a wider political dispute between the opposition and the Election Commission over electoral roll revisions. Opposition parties have also pursued legal and political avenues to challenge aspects of the process and have called for greater transparency from the Election Commission.