Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Activists Announce Gandhi Jayanti Protest Over Election Commission Functioning
A group of activists and student leaders plans to hold a protest in New Delhi on October 2.
They will gather at Jantar Mantar on Gandhi Jayanti.
The group is unhappy with how the Election Commission has handled voter lists.
They are especially concerned about the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, exercise.
They say some people’s voting rights may not be properly protected.
The organisers are asking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to leave office or be impeached.
They said police were informed about the planned gathering and that no rejection had been received.
Other opposition groups and organisations are also planning protests about the same issue.
Social activists and student leaders announced a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 2 at 11 am.
Organisers demanded the impeachment or resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Speakers alleged procedural irregularities and centralisation during the electoral-roll revision and Special Intensive Revision exercise.
Organisers said Parliament Street police had been informed about the gathering and its expected turnout.
The protest is part of wider demonstrations by opposition parties, student groups and civil society activists over the poll panel’s functioning.
- Who
- Social activists, student leaders, advocate Prashant Bhushan and RJD MP Manoj Jha, including AISA president Neha Bora.
- What
- A protest demanding accountability from the Election Commission and the impeachment or resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- When
- October 2 at 11 am, Gandhi Jayanti; wider INDIA bloc marches are planned from October 2 to 8.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
- Why
- Organisers allege irregularities in electoral-roll revisions and say the Election Commission’s conduct raises concerns about citizens’ voting rights.
Activists’ allegations and demands
Official position not reported
Electoral-roll revision
Activists’ allegations and demands
Prashant Bhushan alleged procedural irregularities and said decisions on adding and deleting voters had been centralised.
Official position not reported
The report does not include a response from the Election Commission addressing these allegations.
Protection of voting rights
Activists’ allegations and demands
Manoj Jha said the issue concerned the rights of ordinary citizens rather than merely a contest between the ruling party and the Opposition.
Official position not reported
No opposing statement from the Election Commission or the government is reported in the article.
Protest permissions
Activists’ allegations and demands
Organisers said they had informed Parliament Street police and that protesters had previously faced restrictions and detention over electoral concerns.
Official position not reported
An AISA member said no police rejection had been received for the proposed Jantar Mantar gathering; the report gives no further police response.
- Protest date
- October 2, Gandhi Jayanti
- Protest time
- 11 am
- Location
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Main demand
- Impeachment or resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Main concern
- The Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision exercise
- Police communication
- Organisers said they informed Parliament Street police about the proposed gathering, turnout and organisers
- Related demonstrations
- The INDIA bloc announced district-level “save democracy” marches from October 2 to 8 and a Parliamentarians’ march to the Election Commission’s office on October 6