The INDIA bloc is holding symbolic public proceedings against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on October 31, as opposition parties intensify their campaign over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
The programme was originally scheduled for October 30 but was postponed by a day because of persistent rain in the capital. Opposition leaders say the event is intended to bring public attention to their concerns about electoral transparency and voting rights.
Senior Opposition Leaders Expected to Participate
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is expected to preside over the symbolic proceedings. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is scheduled to move the motion, while Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is expected to deliver the concluding remarks.
Representatives from opposition parties, civil society groups and people affected by electoral-roll revisions are also expected to participate.
The event is a political demonstration and does not have constitutional authority to remove the Chief Election Commissioner. The INDIA bloc has accused the Election Commission of failing to address concerns about voter deletions and has demanded accountability from the poll body.
Election Commission’s Position
The opposition has called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over its allegations. The Election Commission, meanwhile, has maintained that the revision exercise is intended to identify duplicate or ineligible entries while allowing genuine voters to seek corrections or inclusion.
The competing positions have made SIR a major point of political disagreement.
‘Chalo Dilli’ March to Follow
The symbolic programme is expected to be followed by a larger mobilisation on November 1. Rahul Gandhi has invited political organisations, students, youth groups and citizens to join the ‘Chalo Dilli’ march, which is planned to move from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction towards Ramlila Maidan.
Gandhi has described the march as a collective effort to defend voting rights and the Constitution.
The BJP has rejected Gandhi’s allegation that people were being prevented from travelling to Delhi for the rally and asked him to provide evidence. The October 31 programme and November 1 gathering are expected to keep electoral-roll revisions and the opposition’s claims in the national political debate.