INDIA Bloc Sets October Protests Over Electoral Roll Revision

The INDIA bloc has announced district-level protests from October 2 to 8 over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the election process. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said opposition MPs would march to the Election Commission on October 6, while alliance leaders plan to seek a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October. The plans were announced after a meeting of opposition leaders in New Delhi on September 30. Kharge said the bloc would organise demonstrations in districts during the week-long campaign to raise concerns about voter lists and democratic rights. Five rallies are also planned for October and November, but most dates and venues have not been announced. A rally in Delhi is scheduled for November 1. The bloc’s demands include using electoral rolls from before the SIR as a reference for future elections, providing clear reasons and an effective appeal process before eligible voters are removed, and protecting people from exclusion caused by documentation or administrative problems.