Archive · 6 Oct 2026
INDIA Bloc March to Election Commission Halted Amid Standoff
Rahul Gandhi and MPs from opposition parties marched toward the Election Commission in New Delhi.
They wanted the election chief, Gyanesh Kumar, to resign.
They say changes to voter lists may cause problems for eligible voters.
Police barricades stopped the march before it reached the Commission’s office.
Some MPs went into the nearby Akashvani Bhawan grounds and sat in protest.
Reports also say Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders were briefly detained or faced detention.
The opposition has questions about a voter-list form called Form 6.
The Supreme Court said it would look into whether that form was changed and who approved any changes.
AAP and the DMK did not join the march, though AAP said it would continue its own campaign.
Rahul Gandhi led INDIA bloc MPs from Parliament toward the Election Commission on October 6, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Police barricades halted the march before it reached the Election Commission; some opposition leaders entered Akashvani Bhawan and sat in protest on its premises.
Reports differ on the protest location: some describe a sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan, while another says MPs staged a dharna at Parliament Street.
Several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and opposition MPs, were briefly detained or faced detention, according to reports; Priyanka later rejoined the protest.
The Opposition challenged the Special Intensive Revision and changes involving Form 6; the Supreme Court said it would examine whether the form had been modified and who authorised any changes.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi and MPs from INDIA bloc opposition parties; AAP and the DMK did not join the march.
- What
- They marched toward the Election Commission demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; police stopped the march, and opposition members held sit-ins or dharnas.
- When
- Tuesday, October 6; the reports do not specify the year.
- Where
- The march began at Makar Dwar, Parliament, in New Delhi. Protesters were stopped near Akashvani Bhawan; reports also place a dharna at Parliament Street.
- Why
- The Opposition alleges irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, raises concerns about Form 6, and seeks the CEC’s resignation.
Opposition’s allegations and demands
Authorities’ response and position
Electoral-roll revision
Opposition’s allegations and demands
Opposition leaders alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision and said it could affect eligible voters; they demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Authorities’ response and position
Police said security measures were intended to maintain peace and order and prevent untoward incidents. The reports do not include an Election Commission response to the protest’s central allegations.
Form 6 changes
Opposition’s allegations and demands
Opposition leaders questioned an additional declaration attached to Form 6 and disputed the Commission’s account of court approval.
Authorities’ response and position
The Election Commission had said the declaration was upheld by the Supreme Court; the Court said it had not approved a modified version and would examine the records.
- March starting point
- Makar Dwar, Parliament
- Intended destination
- Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters
- Protest date
- Tuesday, October 6
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Main issue
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Form under scrutiny
- Form 6, used for applications to include names in electoral rolls
- Court proceedings
- The Supreme Court said it would examine whether Form 6 had been modified and who authorised any changes
- Absent parties
- Aam Aadmi Party and the DMK did not join the march
Sources
INDIA bloc protest: MPs try to push open gates of Akashvani Bhawan
INDIA bloc protest march against CEC: Rahul, Priyanka in standoff with police at Akashvani Bhawan premises
INDIA bloc MPs stage sit-in metres away from ECI office; Rahul, Priyanka enter Akashvani Bhawan
Rahul Gandhi Leads INDIA Bloc March To EC, Sits On Dharna After Protest Is Stopped