INDIA Bloc Lists Six Demands, Announces ‘Save Democracy’ Marches From October 2; While MPs To March To EC On Oct 6

The INDIA bloc on Wednesday announced nationwide protests against the Election Commission and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with opposition MPs set to march to the poll panel on October 6.

District-Level Protests From October 2

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the INDIA bloc would hold district-level ‘Save Democracy’ marches and demonstrations outside district magistrate offices from October 2 to 8.

“We will also make people aware of why we are undertaking this campaign,” Kharge said at a press conference after the alliance meeting.

The protests are part of the Opposition’s campaign against the Election Commission over the SIR exercise and its handling of electoral rolls.

Opposition MPs To March To Election Commission

Kharge said all Opposition MPs would march to the Election Commission on October 6.

He said the INDIA bloc had initially planned the march for Wednesday but decided to postpone it to ensure greater participation. Rajya Sabha members, MPs from different parties and others who wanted to “protect democracy in the country” would be invited, he added.

The alliance also plans to seek an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October. Opposition leaders are expected to submit a representation outlining their concerns and the constitutional issues they say have emerged from the electoral roll revision exercise.

A further phase of the campaign will include five major rallies, with dates and venues to be announced later.

Kharge Targets Election Commission

At the meeting, Kharge reiterated his criticism of the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He alleged that the poll panel was being influenced by the government and said Opposition parties had agreed to jointly pursue the issue.

The INDIA bloc’s latest programme comes amid an intensifying political dispute over SIR and changes to electoral rolls. The Election Commission has said it follows legal procedures, while Opposition parties have raised concerns over voter deletions and transparency in the revision process.

INDIA Bloc’s Six Demands on Electoral Reforms

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in a post on social media, said the INDIA bloc had put forward six demands on electoral reforms and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He said the demands were aimed at ensuring transparency in the electoral process, protecting eligible voters from exclusion and strengthening public confidence in the Election Commission.

• Use pre-SIR electoral rolls for future elections, with complete transparency in every roll revision, including constituency-wise and booth-wise details of additions, deletions and corrections.
• Provide reasons and an effective appeal mechanism before removing any legitimate voter from the electoral roll.
• Protect eligible voters from exclusion caused by administrative failures, inadequate documentation or lack of awareness.
• Replace EVM voting with ballot paper voting to ensure, according to the INDIA bloc, the “purity and sanctity” of voters’ choices.
• Simplify voter registration for young citizens, particularly first-time voters.
• Ensure institutional accountability of the Election Commission and restore confidence in the poll panel across the political spectrum.

Mamata Calls For CEC's Resignation

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also stepped up her attack on the poll panel during the briefing, calling for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

“He must resign immediately,” Banerjee said, while arguing that voting rights were constitutional rights and accusing the Election Commission of failing to protect them.

The Opposition’s campaign is now set to move from Parliament and party meetings to a nationwide mobilisation beginning on October 2.