INDIA Alliance announces nationwide marches over Election Commission concerns

The INDIA Alliance, a coalition of 19 opposition parties, held a meeting in New Delhi to strategize against the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The coalition announced a ‘Save Democracy March’ to be held at the district level across the country from October 2 to October 8. Additionally, opposition MPs plan to march to the Election Commission office on October 6.

Key demands raised during the meeting include the removal of Gyanesh Kumar from his position and increased transparency regarding voter list revisions. The alliance is calling for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process to use previous voter lists as a baseline and is demanding that voters receive formal notice and an opportunity to appeal before their names are removed from the rolls. The coalition also expressed a preference for using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in future elections.

Following the meeting, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti stated her belief that Rahul Gandhi will serve as Prime Minister in 2029. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge confirmed that the opposition parties are in agreement regarding the issues of electoral transparency and institutional accountability.