Opposition parties associated with the INDIA bloc organised a demonstration at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on November 5, 2026, protesting against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The participating parties also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising concerns about electoral transparency and the protection of voters’ rights.
The demonstration is part of the Opposition’s wider campaign against the SIR exercise, following its November 1 gathering at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.
Congress and Opposition Parties Join Demonstration
The Bengaluru protest brought together representatives of the Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Forward Bloc and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), among others.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president B.K. Hariprasad had earlier announced the demonstration and indicated that the campaign would extend beyond Bengaluru.
The Congress leadership has discussed taking the movement to district, taluk and block levels to increase public participation in the electoral transparency debate.
Through these demonstrations, opposition parties are seeking to bring their concerns about voter registration and election administration to a wider audience.
Opposition Questions Special Intensive Revision
The Special Intensive Revision is an Election Commission exercise intended to review and update electoral rolls.
However, INDIA bloc parties have expressed concerns that the process could result in eligible voters being excluded from voter lists.
The alliance has called for the withdrawal of the current SIR exercise and stronger safeguards to protect voting rights.
Opposition representatives have also raised questions about the appointment process for the Chief Election Commissioner.
CPI(M) Karnataka secretary K. Prakash criticised the existing selection mechanism and called for a more democratic approach. The parties have additionally demanded the withdrawal of the legal provision providing immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner.
Campaign Planned Across Karnataka
The Bengaluru demonstration forms part of a broader effort by the INDIA bloc to organise protests in different parts of the country.
Karnataka Congress leaders have indicated that the campaign will reach local organisational levels, including districts and taluks.
The continuing protests have placed electoral roll revisions, voter protection and the functioning of the Election Commission at the centre of the political debate.
With the Opposition maintaining its objections, the SIR controversy is expected to remain an important subject in discussions about electoral transparency and democratic accountability.