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INDIA Bloc Announces Rallies Demanding Electoral Transparency
The INDIA bloc is a group of opposition parties in India.
It says election records and election procedures should be more open and easier to check.
The group plans rallies and protests in October and November.
It wants people to receive notice before their names are removed from voter lists.
It also wants detailed information about additions, deletions and corrections to those lists.
Some opposition leaders called for ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines.
The Election Commission says disagreements during its discussions are normal and that its decisions are legally valid.
The BJP criticized the opposition group and said it lacks clear leadership and organization.
The INDIA bloc announced five rallies, nationwide demonstrations and a common plan on electoral issues.
A major rally is planned in Delhi on November 1, while district protests are scheduled from October 2 to 8.
Mallikarjun Kharge demanded detailed disclosure of electoral-roll changes and notice before voter names are removed.
Opposition leaders called for replacing EVM voting with ballot papers and removing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The BJP dismissed the meeting as ineffective and questioned the INDIA bloc’s leadership, cohesion and organisational strength.
- Who
- The INDIA bloc, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi, the Election Commission and the BJP.
- What
- The INDIA bloc announced rallies, marches and demonstrations demanding greater electoral transparency and changes to election procedures.
- Where
- Across India, including district-level locations, the Election Commission in Delhi and a major rally venue in Delhi.
- When
- The Save Democracy Marches are planned from October 2 to 8; opposition MPs plan to march on October 6; a major rally is scheduled for November 1.
- Why
- The INDIA bloc says greater accountability is needed over electoral-roll changes, the Special Intensive Revision and broader threats to democratic and constitutional rights.
INDIA Bloc Position
BJP and Election Commission Responses
Electoral-roll transparency
INDIA Bloc Position
The INDIA bloc wants constituency- and booth-level details of voter-list additions, deletions and corrections, along with notice and an appeal process before names are removed.
BJP and Election Commission Responses
The Election Commission maintains that differences during institutional deliberations are normal and that its orders have legal validity.
Voting system and voter lists
INDIA Bloc Position
Mallikarjun Kharge demanded replacing EVM voting with ballot papers and restoring the voter list prepared before the Special Intensive Revision.
BJP and Election Commission Responses
The BJP rejected the opposition’s approach; the article does not report the BJP endorsing these changes.
INDIA bloc organisation
INDIA Bloc Position
INDIA bloc leaders presented their meeting as a coordinated campaign for accountability and constitutional rights.
BJP and Election Commission Responses
The BJP called the meeting a “flop show,” questioned the bloc’s leadership and cohesion, and said it lacked a formal office, president or convenor.
Key facts
- Campaign
- Joint INDIA bloc campaign for electoral transparency
- Planned rallies
- Five rallies in October and November
- Major rally
- Delhi, November 1
- National demonstrations
- Save Democracy Marches from October 2 to 8
- Opposition demands
- Detailed electoral-roll disclosures, notice before deletions, ballot-paper voting and restoration of the pre-SIR voter list
- Election Commission position
- Differences during institutional deliberations are normal, and its orders have legal validity
- BJP response
- The meeting was described as a failure reflecting frustration and weak organisation
Quotes
Shahnawaz Hussain
BJP leader who criticized the INDIA bloc’s organization and cohesion.
“zero vision, 100 per cent frustration, and an advance excuse for poll defeats”
thehansindia.com
“There is no such thing as the I.N.D.I.A Alliance”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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