Archive · 11 Oct 2026
MNS Plans Statewide Signature Campaign Over SIR Row
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, or MNS, plans to collect signatures across Maharashtra starting October 12, 2026.
The party says it wants elections to be open and trustworthy.
It wants Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign and the voter-list review called SIR to be cancelled in Maharashtra.
It also wants ballot papers to be offered instead of electronic voting machines.
The party says voter lists should be clean and political parties should be consulted about elections.
It has asked people across the state to join the campaign.
The announcement came after protests against SIR in several parts of India.
More than 400 people were detained during a protest in Mumbai on October 10, according to the article.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena announced a statewide signature campaign beginning October 12, 2026.
The party says the campaign is intended to promote electoral transparency and public trust.
Its demands include Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and cancellation of the SIR process in Maharashtra.
The MNS also calls for ballot papers as an alternative to EVMs, transparent voter rolls, and consultation with all political parties.
The announcement follows protests over SIR; more than 400 people were detained at a Mumbai demonstration on October 10.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which has called on people across Maharashtra to join its campaign.
- What
- A statewide signature campaign seeking electoral changes, including cancellation of SIR in Maharashtra and Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- When
- The campaign is scheduled to begin Monday, October 12, 2026; the announcement was made October 11.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra.
- Why
- The MNS says it wants electoral transparency, public trust, free and fair elections, and protection of citizens’ voting rights.
MNS and campaign supporters
Other stated positions
SIR and election administration
MNS and campaign supporters
The MNS calls for the SIR process in Maharashtra to be cancelled and for Gyanesh Kumar to resign, citing its demands for transparency and public trust.
Other stated positions
The article does not report a response or counterposition from Gyanesh Kumar or election authorities.
Voting method
MNS and campaign supporters
The MNS wants ballot papers introduced as an alternative to EVMs.
Other stated positions
The article does not provide a response from election authorities or other parties on this proposal.
- Campaign start
- October 12, 2026
- Campaign scope
- Statewide, across Maharashtra
- Campaign banner
- “Statewide Signature Campaign to Protect Democracy”
- Main demands
- Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; cancellation of SIR in Maharashtra; ballot papers as an alternative to EVMs; clean electoral rolls; and consultation with all political parties.
- Earlier joint protest
- Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray held a protest march on October 4 from Metro Cinema to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.
- Mumbai detentions
- More than 400 protesters were detained at a demonstration at August Kranti Maidan on October 10.
- Police action
- Mumbai Police registered an FIR at Gamdevi Police Station related to the protest.