Politics · India · 5 hrs ago
INDIA bloc meeting on election protests deferred, accounts differ on timing
INDIA bloc leaders planned a virtual meeting on Thursday to discuss their campaign over alleged election irregularities, but one account says the meeting was deferred while another says it was due to take place.
The discussions were to focus on Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Opposition parties allege eligible voters were wrongly removed from electoral rolls, while the Election Commission says it follows established procedures.
The dispute has led to protests, including a march towards the Election Commission headquarters and a joint petition challenging the voter-roll revision.
The bloc has also called for restoring voters allegedly removed from the rolls and for changes including a return to paper ballots.
A rally is planned in New Delhi on November 1, but no date was given for the bloc’s next meeting.
The Hindu reported that a planned virtual INDIA bloc meeting on protests over alleged “vote chori” was deferred, while the Times of India reported that leaders were to meet on Thursday evening.
The meeting was expected to address the bloc’s strategy over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
The Hindu said the meeting was also to review preparations for a rally in Delhi on November 1.
The opposition has demanded Kumar’s resignation and challenged the Election Commission’s handling of voter rolls.
The Election Commission has defended its role and said it follows established procedures.
- Who
- INDIA bloc leaders, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge set to chair the meeting.
- What
- A virtual meeting to discuss strategy over the Chief Election Commissioner and alleged electoral-roll irregularities. The Hindu said it was deferred; the Times of India said it was due to take place.
- When
- Thursday evening, October 22, 2026, according to the reports. The sources differ on whether it went ahead as planned.
- Where
- Virtually; the planned rally is in Delhi.
- Why
- To discuss protests over alleged “vote chori,” the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demands concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
INDIA bloc opposition
Election Commission of India
Alleged electoral-roll irregularities
INDIA bloc opposition
The opposition alleges eligible voters were deleted and demands accountability.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission says it follows established procedures.
Gyanesh Kumar’s position
INDIA bloc opposition
The opposition has sought his resignation or removal.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission has defended its role in conducting elections.
INDIA bloc MPs led by Rahul Gandhi marched towards the Election Commission headquarters; Delhi Police stopped the march and detained several opposition leaders.
An INDIA bloc delegation submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, including demands concerning Kumar and the voter-roll revision.
Opposition leaders, activists and civil society members took part in a “March for Democracy” and filed a joint petition against the Special Intensive Revision.
Rahul Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his home, after which the bloc vowed to continue its “vote chori” campaign.
Reports differed on whether the planned virtual meeting was to take place or had been deferred.
- Meeting date
- Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Meeting format
- Virtual
- Meeting chair
- Mallikarjun Kharge
- Rally date
- November 1
- Main official challenged
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
5 sources
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INDIA bloc leaders' virtual meeting to discuss roadmap for ‘vote chori’ protests deferred
What people are saying
We are asking the BJP to repeal that law. Because you are giving protection to the Election Commissioner and letting him make mistakes. And whatever mistakes have happened today, they happened through Gyanesh Kumar. Why did you give him immunity? It was given so that you can make mistakes through him just by telling him to do so, and forgive him. The Chief Justice doesn’t have immunity. The President of India doesn’t have it. An Election Commissioner does,