Archive · 9 Oct 2026
INDIA Bloc MPs March to President, Demand Election Chief’s Resignation
Opposition lawmakers in India marched from Parliament to meet President Droupadi Murmu.
They gave her a letter about how the Election Commission is working.
They want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
They also want a review of voter lists to stop and excluded voters to be added back.
Reports give the number of excluded voters as 13 crore or 13.8 crore.
Some Opposition leaders also called for ballot papers and changes to legal protections for the election chief.
Around 150 INDIA bloc MPs met before the march.
The demonstration happened as police prepared for another planned protest in Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi led Opposition MPs from Parliament to meet President Droupadi Murmu and submit a memorandum about the Election Commission’s functioning.
The INDIA bloc memorandum sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and called for the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls to be stopped.
The articles cite demands to restore 13 crore or 13.8 crore excluded voters; one report also lists ballot-paper voting and repeal of the CEC’s legal immunity.
About 150 INDIA bloc MPs met in Parliament, and leaders from 16 parties endorsed or signed the memorandum; reports differ on delegation size, giving 10 or 11 members.
The march took place amid continuing Opposition demonstrations and security restrictions ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s planned Jantar Mantar protest.
- Who
- INDIA bloc and other Opposition MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, met President Droupadi Murmu; their demands concerned Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- They submitted a memorandum seeking Kumar’s resignation and changes concerning voter-roll revision and the Election Commission’s functioning.
- When
- Friday; the articles describe a separate Cockroach Janta Party protest planned for Saturday, October 10.
- Where
- The march went from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
- Why
- The Opposition said it was raising concerns about the Election Commission’s functioning, impartiality, and the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
Opposition demands and criticism
Reported official measures and absent response
Election Commission and voter rolls
Opposition demands and criticism
Opposition leaders alleged problems with the Election Commission’s functioning and the SIR process, and demanded Kumar’s resignation and changes to electoral procedures.
Reported official measures and absent response
The articles report the Opposition’s allegations and demands but do not provide a response from Kumar or the Election Commission.
Restrictions ahead of the planned protest
Opposition demands and criticism
Opposition figures criticized reported transport and internet restrictions, saying such measures could hinder access to Delhi and legitimate protest.
Reported official measures and absent response
The articles report police preparations, including internet-service restrictions near the protest area and other security measures, but do not include an official response to the criticism.
- President
- Droupadi Murmu
- Chief Election Commissioner named in demands
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Main demands
- Kumar’s resignation, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision, and restoration of excluded voters
- Excluded voter count reported
- 13 crore in some reports; 13.8 crore in another
- INDIA bloc gathering
- Around 150 MPs met in Parliament’s Central Hall; leaders from 16 parties endorsed or signed the memorandum
- Delegation size
- Reports describe 10 MPs or 11 leaders as going to meet the President
- Additional demands reported
- Ballot-paper voting and repeal of the legal immunity granted to the Chief Election Commissioner
- Related planned protest
- Cockroach Janta Party demonstration at Jantar Mantar, scheduled for Saturday, October 10
Sources
INDIA Bloc MPs Head To Rashtrapati Bhavan, Demand Gyanesh Kumar's Removal; Protest At Vijay Chowk Continues - VIDEO
Opposition MPs March From Parliament, To Meet President Over Gyanesh Kumar Row
After protest hat-trick, INDIA bloc to meet President, seek poll chief’s exit
