Full Breakdown
Opposition March Targets Election Commission Over Voter-Roll Revision
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 6, 2026 the INDIA bloc will march from Parliament’s Makar Dwar to the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters in New Delhi. The protest demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which opposition leaders say has disenfranchised millions. About 300 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, plan to reach the poll body’s office; police have erected barricades and deployed security forces.
Background & Context
The SIR exercise, launched in June 2025, updates voter lists. Opposition parties claim the revision has deleted 13 crore (130 million) names, affecting poorer citizens and Muslims. Two Election Commissioners – Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi – lodged 14 objections over SIR decisions in the past ten months, alleging unilateral action by the Chief Election Commissioner. The Supreme Court upheld the legality of the Bihar SIR order on May 27, 2026, but later clarified it had not approved any modification to Form 6, the enrolment form used during SIR.
Data & Statistics
- 13 crore votes reportedly deleted nationwide.
- 22 lakh (2.2 million) voters have filed appeals.
- 14 formal objections recorded by senior Election Commissioners.
- 300 opposition MPs intend to meet the Election Commissioners.
Official Statements & Responses
The Commission said it had not received any meeting request from any political party on the day of the protest.
Criticism & Opposition
The BJP frames the march as a political stunt to relaunch Rahul Gandhi, calling it “daily drama” that distracts from public service.
On-the-Ground Reports
Delhi police deployed metal barricades, traffic diversions and Rapid Action Force personnel along the route. As the march reached the NITI Aayog-Akashvani complex, Rahul Gandhi climbed a barricade, waved the national flag and was briefly detained before entering the All India Radio (Akashvani Bhavan) premises, where a sit-in was set up. Several opposition leaders – including Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien and KC Venugopal – were taken away in police buses. Protesters displayed banners reading “Save democracy” and “Vote chori”.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Form 6 approval: The EC’s September 26, 2026 press note claimed the Supreme Court upheld the Form 6 declaration, yet the Court later stated it had not approved any modification. This contradictory messaging leaves the legal status of the form unclear.
What’s Next
The opposition has announced district-level padyatras until October 8, 2026 and a series of “Save votes, save the country” rallies from October 25 to November 25, 2026. Legal challenges continue, with the Supreme Court issuing notices to the Centre, the ECI and Gyanesh Kumar on the SIR matter. Further meetings of opposition party units are scheduled for early October, indicating the campaign against the Election Commission will intensify in the weeks ahead.