The protestors are opposing alleged irregularities in the functioning and decisions of the poll panel, particularly those linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, described as a drive to clean up voter lists. Protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar entered their fifth day on Tuesday, with the Opposition INDIA bloc marching towards Nirvachan Sadan, the headquarters of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The latest demonstration comes after the previous march from Parliament to the ECI on August 11, 2025, which was also held against the SIR exercise. Earlier reporting noted: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the INDIA bloc meet last week on September 30, listed out five demands: pre-SIR rolls to be used for future elections, an effective appeal mechanism before a voter is removed from poll rolls, protection of eligible voters from exlusion caused by administrative failures, voting through ballots, simple and accessible voter registration for first-time voters. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi made his way through a large gathering of protesters this morning as he headed towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters. Behind him, a large crowd raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation. Gandhi was stopped by multiple layers of police barricades along the route. He then climbed onto one of the barricades and waved a large national flag, drawing loud cheers and slogans from leaders and workers of the Opposition INDIA bloc. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, staged a dharna after police stopped him from proceeding towards the poll panel’s office. He later climbed onto a police barricade and waved the national flag. Meanwhile, Along with several opposition leaders, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been detained by police after being prevented from marching towards the Election Commission. With posters in hand, the Opposition MPs from INDIA bloc are raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over alleged vote theft. The Opposition MPs gathered outside Parliament Tuesday morning and carried out a march towards Nirvachan Sadan — the Election Commission headquarters in the Capital. Rahul Gandhi, the Lead of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, along with other MPs is currently sitting on the road after being stopped from marching.
Earlier reporting noted: LIVE Updates: INDIA Bloc Marches To Poll Body Office, Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation ‘Save democracy’, ‘Save my vote’. Earlier reporting noted: Two key opposition parties — the DMK and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — have stayed away from the INDIA bloc march.
The protests began on October 2 after Opposition parties and civil society groups called for a gathering to raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
