Archive · 6 Oct 2026
INDIA Bloc Protests Seek Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, SIR Cancellation
Congress and other INDIA bloc members held protests over how voter lists are being changed.
In Hanamkonda, people marched from Ambedkar Centre and protested outside the collectorate.
They demanded that Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign and that the Election Commission work independently.
Congress leaders said some people believe their valid votes were removed from voter lists.
They want the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, to be cancelled and complaints to be investigated.
Some Congress MPs also called for elections to use paper ballots.
Opposition MPs planned to march to the Election Commission’s headquarters in New Delhi.
They were also expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu to discuss their concerns.
Congress and INDIA bloc members protested in Hanamkonda and New Delhi, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The Hanamkonda district Congress committee held a ‘Save Democracy Padayatra’ from Ambedkar Centre and demonstrated outside the collectorate.
Congress leaders called for cancelling the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and investigating allegations of voter deletions and other irregularities.
Congress MPs also called for elections using ballot papers, alleging that free and fair elections are not taking place.
Opposition MPs planned a march from Parliament to the Election Commission headquarters and were expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu.
- Who
- Congress and INDIA bloc leaders, MPs, party workers and supporters, including Hanamkonda legislators.
- What
- They protested over the SIR of electoral rolls and demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; Congress MPs also called for ballot-paper elections.
- When
- The Hanamkonda protest took place on Monday; the New Delhi protest march was planned for Tuesday. The articles do not specify calendar dates.
- Where
- Hanamkonda, including Ambedkar Centre and the collectorate, and New Delhi, with a planned march from Parliament to the Election Commission headquarters.
- Why
- Protesters alleged that electoral-roll changes and deleted votes threatened voting rights and free, fair elections.
Congress and INDIA bloc claims
Election authorities’ response
SIR and alleged vote deletions
Congress and INDIA bloc claims
Congress and INDIA bloc leaders said the SIR and alleged deletion of legitimate votes threaten voting rights; they called for the exercise to be cancelled and complaints investigated.
Election authorities’ response
Neither article includes a response from the Election Commission or the government to these allegations.
Election Commission’s independence
Congress and INDIA bloc claims
Congress leaders alleged that the Centre was misusing the Election Commission and said it should act independently to ensure free and transparent elections.
Election authorities’ response
The articles provide no response from the Election Commission or the government.
Voting method and election fairness
Congress and INDIA bloc claims
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said elections should use ballot papers, alleging that free and fair elections are not taking place.
Election authorities’ response
The articles do not provide a response from election authorities or another stated position on the ballot-paper demand.
- Hanamkonda protest
- A ‘Save Democracy Padayatra’ began at Ambedkar Centre and was followed by a protest outside the collectorate.
- Main demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- SIR demand
- Congress called for cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Election method
- Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat called for elections to be conducted using ballot papers.
- New Delhi protest
- INDIA bloc MPs planned a march from Parliament to the Election Commission headquarters.
- Further action
- INDIA bloc leaders were expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu about the SIR exercise.
- Organisers’ stated concerns
- Electoral-roll changes, allegedly deleted votes, voting rights and the Election Commission’s independence.
