New Delhi/Mumbai, Oct 2 — The Election Commission of India has ordered a special one-month drive to include eligible voters left out of electoral rolls and register new voters following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The move came amid protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and allegations that millions of eligible citizens were disenfranchised during the revision exercise.
In Delhi, police detained nearly 700 protesters on Gandhi Jayanti as demonstrators attempted to reach Jantar Mantar, where no gathering had been permitted. Those detained included AAP leaders Atishi, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha; CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby and Brinda Karat; CPI national secretary P. Sandosh Kumar; RJD leader Manoj Jha; Yogendra Yadav; AISA president Neha Bora; DYFI president A.A. Rahim; and former JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh.
Police stopped marchers at Feroz Shah Road and Ashoka Road, suspended internet services in central Delhi and closed gates at 12 metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Janpath. Similar protests were reported in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Patna.
In Mumbai, Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke led a gathering at Shivaji Park attended by SFI and AISF activists, actor Shabana Azmi, actor Naseeruddin Shah, musician Vishal Dadlani and Tushar Gandhi. Demonstrators carried placards reading “Gyanesh BRO, JUST RESIGN” despite police barricading routes from Dadar.
The Commission has directed state poll officials to begin the verification drive immediately in areas where the electoral-roll revision is complete. Booth-level officers will visit the homes of identified missing voters, with each officer expected to verify 20 to 25 electors per week. They will also collect Form 6 applications from first-time, young and other eligible voters. Verified lists will be shared with booth-level agents of recognised political parties to improve transparency.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/10/03/nearly-700-detained-as-delhi-mumbai-seek-cecs-ouster/
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Publish Date: 2026-10-03 01:23:00
