Archive · 7 Oct 2026
ECI Says Opposition MPs’ Meeting Request Breached Protocol
A group of opposition lawmakers wanted to give a message to India’s Election Commission.
The commission said it had not received a formal meeting request from a political party by 4 p.m.
It said police later told it that 240 lawmakers wanted to meet at Parliament House Annexe.
The commission said its rules call for meetings at its own offices after an authorised representative requests an appointment.
It offered to send an officer to collect the lawmakers’ message, but said they turned down the offer.
Rahul Gandhi and other Congress members had been protesting about voter-list changes and the commission’s transparency.
They were detained after the protest.
The BJP said Rahul had made false claims, while the account also reports the opposition’s concerns and demand for the chief election commissioner’s removal.
The Election Commission of India said it had received no formal appointment request from a political party by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
It said Delhi Police later informed it that a delegation of 240 MPs led by Rahul Gandhi wanted to meet and submit a memorandum at Parliament House Annexe.
The ECI said its protocol requires such meetings to be held on its premises after an appointment is sought through an authorised party representative.
The commission offered to send its senior-most officer on duty to receive the memorandum, but said the MPs declined.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress colleagues were detained after a protest march and dharna over the SIR exercise and ECI transparency; the BJP accused Rahul of making false claims.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India, and an opposition delegation of 240 MPs led by Rahul Gandhi; Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress colleagues were also involved in the protest.
- What
- The ECI said the MPs’ requested meeting at Parliament House Annexe was outside its protocol and that its offer to receive their memorandum was declined.
- When
- Tuesday; the BJP’s post on X was dated October 6, 2026.
- Where
- New Delhi; the proposed meeting venue was Parliament House Annexe, and the protest took place near Akashvani Bhavan.
- Why
- The opposition was protesting the Special Intensive Revision exercise and raising concerns about transparency at the ECI, while seeking the chief election commissioner’s removal.
Opposition
Election Commission and BJP
Meeting request and procedure
Opposition
The opposition delegation sought to meet the ECI and submit a memorandum at Parliament House Annexe.
Election Commission and BJP
The ECI said no formal request had been made by a political party by 4 p.m., and that its protocol requires an authorised representative to seek an appointment for a meeting at ECI premises. It said the MPs declined its offer to send an officer to collect the memorandum.
Claims about the ECI
Opposition
The opposition’s protest raised concerns about the Special Intensive Revision exercise and transparency at the commission, and demanded the chief election commissioner’s removal.
Election Commission and BJP
The BJP said Rahul Gandhi had made false claims about the ECI and that the commission had exposed them. The article reports this as the BJP’s characterization.
- Delegation size
- The ECI said the proposed delegation consisted of 240 MPs.
- Delegation leader
- Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
- Proposed venue
- Parliament House Annexe.
- ECI account of request
- The commission said that by 4 p.m. Tuesday it had received no appointment request from a political party through its representatives.
- ECI procedure
- A party delegation should seek an appointment through an authorised representative; meetings are held at ECI premises at a mutually agreed time.
- Alternative offered
- The ECI said it offered to send its senior-most officer on duty to receive the memorandum at the proposed venue.
- Protest issue
- The opposition was protesting the Special Intensive Revision exercise and concerns about ECI transparency.