Political tensions between opposition parties and the Election Commission have intensified in New Delhi over allegations concerning electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, process. INDIA bloc MPs marched from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters on Tuesday, demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raising questions over the electoral roll revision process.
The opposition has been demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, while also calling for greater transparency in the revision of electoral rolls. The march was stopped by security personnel before the MPs could reach the Election Commission headquarters. Heavy security arrangements and barricades were put in place around Parliament and the Election Commission office ahead of the protest.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were among the opposition leaders participating in the protest. After the march was stopped, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi sat down in protest along with other opposition MPs. Demonstrators raised slogans against the Chief Election Commissioner and reiterated their demand for his resignation.
Opposition parties have alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision process and have questioned the implementation of SIR. They have called for greater transparency and have argued that changes in voter lists should not affect the rights of eligible voters.
The dispute has also been linked to questions surrounding changes to Form 6, which is used in the process of registering new voters. The Supreme Court recently clarified that modifications made to Form 6 had not been approved by the court. Following the clarification, opposition leaders intensified their criticism of the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi also raised questions over the issue.
The latest protest is part of a broader opposition campaign against the Election Commission. Opposition parties had earlier held meetings to coordinate their response to the SIR process and other concerns relating to electoral rolls. At one such meeting on September 30, opposition parties discussed a series of protests and decided to organise demonstrations across the country, including a march to the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi.
Security arrangements were significantly strengthened in central Delhi as the opposition march took place. Police and security personnel were deployed at several locations, while barricades were placed along the route towards the Election Commission office.
The protest continued after the march was stopped. Opposition MPs remained at the site and raised slogans while reiterating their demands. The demonstration has brought the dispute over electoral rolls, SIR and the functioning of the Election Commission back into the centre of the political debate.
The opposition's demands currently include the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, greater transparency in the electoral roll revision process and clarification over the issues raised regarding voter registration procedures.
The developments are expected to keep the political debate around the Election Commission and electoral rolls active in the coming days. The next steps will depend on the opposition's future protest programme and the response from the Election Commission.
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