The political row over the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, as INDIA bloc MPs marched towards the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi.
INDIA bloc protest against Gyanesh Kumar focused on its concerns over the SIR exercise and demands for accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner. Security was tightened across central Delhi ahead of the march, with around 4,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel deployed in the New Delhi district.
Why Is the INDIA Bloc Opposing the SIR Exercise?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an electoral-roll revision and verification exercise undertaken by the Election Commission. Opposition parties have questioned aspects of its implementation, particularly over how the process could affect voters and electoral rolls.
The INDIA bloc announced its protest programme following a meeting of 19 Opposition parties on September 30. The programme included demonstrations from October 2 to 8, with a march to the Election Commission planned as a key part of the campaign.
The Opposition has also called for action against the Chief Election Commissioner. These demands and related allegations represent the Opposition’s stated position and should not be treated as established findings of wrongdoing unless supported by official or judicial findings.
What Has the Opposition Alleged?
Opposition leaders have criticised the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR process and questioned decisions taken under Gyanesh Kumar’s leadership.
A report by The Indian Express said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months concerning decisions and orders connected with the SIR process.
However, this does not establish that the Election Commission has formally split. The ECI has rejected that interpretation and maintained that decisions taken by the Commission were unanimous.
What Is the Election Commission’s Position?
The Election Commission has defended its decision-making process and rejected suggestions of an internal division among the three Election Commissioners.
The Commission has maintained that differences expressed during discussions do not mean that final decisions were divided. According to the ECI, decisions relating to the SIR exercise were ultimately taken unanimously.
This distinction is important because reports of internal objections and claims of an institutional split are not the same thing.
What Is the Form 6 Controversy?
The SIR dispute has also brought attention to Form 6, the application used by individuals seeking inclusion in the electoral roll.
Questions have been raised over additional information sought from applicants during the revision process, including details relating to their parents and previous electoral-roll revisions.
The Supreme Court clarified that it had not approved modifications to Form 6. The Court also declined to pass an interim order restraining the CEC, stating that it could not act on assumptions based solely on media reports. The legal challenges concerning the Election Commission and the SIR process remain under consideration.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to report that the Supreme Court has already ruled that the Election Commission acted illegally or that it has established wrongdoing by the CEC.
Did All INDIA Bloc Parties Join the Protest?
The protest against Gyanesh Kumar was not supported by every constituent party in the same way.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) decided not to participate in the march and said it would pursue the issue separately. This means the protest should be described as an INDIA bloc-led Opposition action rather than an event involving every party associated with the alliance.
Why Is the Gyanesh Kumar Row Significant?
Gyanesh Kumar took charge as India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner on February 19, 2025. The ongoing dispute over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has brought greater political and judicial attention to the Election Commission’s process for reviewing and verifying electoral rolls.
The issue matters because accurate electoral rolls are essential to the conduct of elections. Questions surrounding voter registration, verification, and possible deletions can affect the electoral process, making the SIR exercise a subject of wider public and legal scrutiny. The allegations raised by political parties, however, remain separate from any findings that may be established through official investigations or judicial proceedings.
What Happens Next?
The dispute over the SIR exercise is expected to continue through both political and legal channels. The INDIA bloc has announced further protests as part of its wider campaign, while petitions concerning the Election Commission and issues surrounding the electoral-roll revision remain before the Supreme Court.
For now, the key point is that the INDIA bloc and the Election Commission have sharply different positions on the SIR process. The Opposition is demanding greater accountability from the poll panel, while the ECI maintains that its decisions were taken according to the established process and unanimously.
Where the Issue Stands
INDIA bloc protest against Gyanesh Kumar reflects an escalating political dispute over electoral-roll revision and the functioning of the Election Commission. While the Opposition has raised serious allegations and demands, those claims should remain clearly attributed unless and until they are established through official findings or judicial proceedings.
