1 hr ago
Election Commission Rejects INDIA Bloc MPs’ Meeting Request, Citing Protocol
Opposition MPs marched toward the Election Commission in Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi led a delegation that wanted to meet the Commission and give it a written message.
The Commission said no party had requested a meeting through an authorised representative by 4 pm.
Police later told the Commission that 240 MPs wanted to meet at Parliament House Annexe.
The Commission said its procedure calls for meetings at its own premises and appointments arranged through authorised representatives.
It offered to send a senior officer to collect the message instead.
The MPs declined that offer, according to the Commission.
Police stopped the march, and several opposition leaders were detained.
The Election Commission said no political party had sought an appointment through an authorised representative by 4 pm Tuesday.
Delhi Police later told the Commission that a delegation led by Rahul Gandhi wanted to meet and submit a memorandum.
The Commission said it was told 240 MPs wanted to meet at Parliament House Annexe, outside its premises.
Citing its 2025 procedure, the Commission rejected the proposed venue and offered to send a senior officer to receive the memorandum; the MPs declined.
Police stopped the INDIA bloc march toward the Commission headquarters, and several opposition leaders were detained.
- Who
- INDIA bloc MPs, including a delegation led by Rahul Gandhi, and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- The Commission rejected a proposed meeting with 240 MPs at Parliament House Annexe and offered to send an officer to receive their memorandum.
- Where
- The march headed toward the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi; the proposed meeting venue was Parliament House Annexe.
- When
- Tuesday; the Commission said it had received no appointment request by 4 pm and was informed of the delegation around that time.
- Why
- The Commission said the proposal was unusual and did not follow its procedure for authorised representatives, mutually agreed appointments, and meetings at Commission premises.
INDIA Bloc MPs
Election Commission
Meeting request
INDIA Bloc MPs
A delegation led by Rahul Gandhi sought a meeting with the Commission to submit a memorandum.
Election Commission
The Commission said no political party had requested an appointment through an authorised representative by 4 pm, and said appointments should be arranged through that process.
Venue and format
INDIA Bloc MPs
The delegation sought a meeting involving 240 MPs at Parliament House Annexe and declined the Commission's offer to send an officer to receive the memorandum.
Election Commission
The Commission called the proposal unusual, said such meetings are held at its premises, and offered to send a senior officer to collect the memorandum.
Key facts
- Delegation size
- 240 MPs, according to information relayed to the Commission by Delhi Police
- Proposed meeting venue
- Parliament House Annexe
- Appointment status
- The Commission said no party had sought an appointment through an authorised representative by 4 pm
- Meeting procedure
- The Commission said its 2025 procedure requires an authorised representative to request an appointment, with the meeting time agreed by both sides
- Commission's alternative
- It offered to send its senior-most officer on duty to receive the memorandum
- Alternative offer outcome
- The Commission said the MPs declined
- Protest outcome
- Police stopped the march; several opposition leaders were detained
Quotes
Election Commission of India
The national body responsible for administering elections in India.
“The Election Commission considered this request unusual and therefore, it could not be accepted, as, in accordance with ECI protocol, such meetings are held only on the premises of the Election Commission of India.”
NDTV
“Till 4 pm today, no political party, through its representatives, had sought an appointment for a meeting with the Election Commission.”
NDTV
m.rediff.com
Sources
Barricades, Detentions, Rahul Gandhi's Akashvani Bhavan Twist: How INDIA Bloc Protest Unfolded
Election Commission Hides Behind 2025 Protocol, Says MPs Need Prior Appointment To Meet
"Unusual": Poll Body On Why It Rejected Congress' Meeting Proposal
INDIA bloc march: EC says no party sought meet till 4 pm
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