ECI March Hit Police Road block, INDIA Bloc MPs Detained Midway

Opposition INDIA bloc MPs on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) marched from Parliament toward the Election Commission of India headquarter in New Delhi, protesting over alleged vote theft and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral roll. The protest was also aimed at demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The march, described by opposition leaders as a Save Democracy protest, began from Parliament Makar Dwar with several senior INDIA bloc leaders participating. Among those taking part were Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien. The opposition has raised concerns over the SIR exercise and alleged irregularities in electoral roll revision. It has also questioned changes connected with voter enrolment forms and has called for greater transparency in the electoral process. These remain allegations made by opposition parties, while the Election Commission has defended the process and rejected claims of political bias. Police Stop March The march did not reach the Election Commission headquarter. Police and security personnel stopped the MPs near the NITI Aayog Akashvani Bhavan stretch, with heavy barricading and security deployment in central Delhi. Following the stoppage, opposition MPs staged a sit in, or dharna, on the road and continued raising slogans against the Chief Election Commissioner. Several opposition leaders were subsequently detained by police. Report identified Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien among those detained after the march was stopped. The confrontation came amid heightened security arrangement around Parliament and the ECI headquarters. Police had deployed additional personnel and barricades ahead of the planned demonstration as authorities prepared to prevent protesters from proceeding towards the poll body offices. Opposition Escalates Pressure on ECI The protest represents another escalation in the ongoing political dispute between opposition parties and the Election Commission over electoral-roll revisions and the functioning of the poll panel. Opposition leaders have demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and questioned the handling of the SIR process. Rahul Gandhi also posted a message calling for Kumar resignation, while protesters carried placards and raised slogans centred on protecting democracy and voters rights. The Election Commission, meanwhile, has rejected allegations that the electoral process was politically manipulated. The dispute has also followed recent Supreme Court proceedings concerning changes to Form 6, adding another layer to the political controversy surrounding the SIR exercise. With INDIA bloc leaders detained after their march was halted, Tuesday protest has further intensified the confrontation between the opposition and the election authorities, keeping the SIR and electoral roll controversy firmly at the centre of India political debate.