Protesters Demand Resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner

Protesters and opposition leaders marched toward the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters in New Delhi on Friday to oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Organized by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the demonstration alleged that the SIR process resulted in the wrongful deletion of numerous eligible voters, which participants characterized as vote theft.

Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner of India, faced demands for his immediate resignation and prosecution. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the ECI of being hollowed out of its constitutional authority, claiming Kumar acts out of loyalty to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Other leaders, including CPI(M) senior leader Brinda Karat and Bharatiya Kisan Union's Yudhvir Singh, demanded the rollback of the SIR and a government apology.

Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel blocked access to the ECI headquarters on Ashoka Road, detaining several protesters near the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. In response to the blockade, protesters held a People's Parliament. The ECI maintains that the revision is necessary to ensure electoral roll accuracy.

This march is part of a nationwide mobilization involving over 300 organizations, with demonstrations planned in 88 cities across 18 states through November 1. The INDIA bloc and the Cockroach Janata Party are also planning a mock Parliament for October 28 as part of their Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao rallies.