# Supreme Court and regional protests over voter roll revision > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indian-protests-over-election-commission-accountability > Updated: 2026-10-23T09:36:59.000Z. Sources: 147. Developments: 17. The legal and political challenge against the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has expanded into widespread demonstrations. Following a petition by Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders, the Supreme Court issued notices to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The Court is examining allegations of arbitrary voter deletions and is also reviewing contempt petitions regarding police actions, internet restrictions, and metro access during recent protests. Opposition groups, including the Indian National Congress, have intensified accusations of ‘vote theft.’ Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has called for the removal of Gyanesh Kumar, alleging the ECI has been manipulated by the ruling party. The INDIA bloc is continuing its ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rallies and plans to hold a mock Parliament on October 28. Massive protests have erupted in New Delhi, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and groups like ‘People Against SIR,’ AISA, and CPI(M). On October 23, 2026, the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR, including students, farmers, and members of AIDWA and AIDSO, marched toward the ECI headquarters. Protesters demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and the suspension of the SIR, alleging the process has disenfranchised approximately 130 million citizens. Security forces, including the Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force, intercepted the march using barricades and invoked Section 163 of the BNSS to prohibit mass gatherings. While the ECI maintains its actions comply with existing laws, reports on detentions vary, with estimates ranging from 20 to over 100 individuals. This mobilization is part of a broader series of planned demonstrations across 88 cities in 18 states. ## Claims - Police detained several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Akhilesh Yadav. (disputed by 3 sources) - Tejashwi Yadav was not detained but was taken to Bihar Lok Bhavan in a police vehicle. (disputed by 2 sources) - The opposition filed a petition in the Supreme Court alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The INDIA bloc is protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The petition seeks an independent inquiry into the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. (corroborated by 17 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Delhi protesters march against electoral roll revision Protesters in New Delhi marched against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of voter deletion. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/protesters-march-in-delhi-against-electoral-roll-revisions ### 2026-10-23: India: Opposition demands removal of Chief Election Commissioner Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging the ECI has been manipulated by the ruling party and is failing its constitutional duties. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-opposition-demands-removal-of-chief-election-commissioner ### 2026-10-17: Election Commission of India faces Congress demands for CEC resignation The Congress party has demanded the resignation of ECI Chief Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the commission of withholding searchable voter rolls for eight years to facilitate ‘vote theft’. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nishikant-dubey-criticizes-opposition-over-evm-concerns ### 2026-10-16: India protests erupt over alleged disenfranchisement of 130 million voters Thousands protest in New Delhi against the alleged disenfranchisement of 130 million voters. Demonstrators demand the resignation of Election Chief Gyanesh Kumar amid heavy police crackdowns. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-delhi-protesters-demand-resignation-of-election-commission-chief ### 2026-10-15: INDIA bloc protests against Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls The INDIA bloc is protesting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging mass voter disenfranchisement and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-bloc-protests-in-tamil-nadu-over-electoral-roll-revisions ### 2026-10-15: Supreme Court of India responds to opposition march and electoral roll plea Chief Justice Surya Kant defended the judiciary against attempts to intimidate the Supreme Court following an October 12 protest march by Rahul Gandhi and opposition leaders regarding electoral roll revisions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-of-india-responds-to-opposition-march-and-electoral-roll-plea ### 2026-10-14: Supreme Court issues notice to Election Commission over voter roll revision plea The Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission of India regarding a petition by Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders challenging alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of voter-ecl 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-to-hear-petition-by-rahul-gandhi-and-india-bloc-leaders ### 2026-10-14: New Delhi protests intensify over Chief Election Commissioner resignation demands Protests erupt in New Delhi as demonstrators demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of mass voter list deletions benefiting the ruling BJP. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-delhi-protests-intensify-over-chief-election-commissioner-resignation-demands ### 2026-10-13: Rahul Gandhi hosts INDIA bloc leaders to coordinate protests over alleged poll irregularities Rahul Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders to coordinate protests against alleged electoral irregularities and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-hosts-india-bloc-leaders-to-coordinate-democracy-protests ### 2026-10-12: INDIA bloc leaders petition Supreme Court over electoral roll revision Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc have petitioned the Supreme Court against the Election Commission's voter roll revision (SIR), though the registry has flagged 14 technical defects in the filing. 75 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-bloc-launches-major-protests-against-election-commission ### 2026-10-12: Congress demands CEC resignation and parliamentary dialogue on delimitation Congress demands the formal prorogation of Parliament and an all-party dialogue on delimitation, insisting that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar must resign before negotiations begin. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/congress-demands-parliament-prorogation-and-cec-resignation ### 2026-10-11: Delhi protests escalate amid allegations of assault and electoral roll controversy Protests in Delhi over electoral roll irregularities have escalated into violence, involving allegations of assault by Hindu Raksha Dal members, claims of Rahul Gandhi manhandling a journalist, and reports of] 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/delhi-protests-intensify-over-chief-election-commissioner-resignation-demand ### 2026-10-10: Jharkhand Congress demands resignation of Election Commissioner Jharkhand Congress President Keshav Mahato Kamlesh has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging voter suppression and democratic erosion by the central government. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aradhana-misra-mona-criticizes-bjp-over-democratic-rights ### 2026-10-09: INDIA bloc to march to Supreme Court over electoral roll controversy The INDIA bloc will march to the Supreme Court to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and a stop to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. 61 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-challenges-modi-government-over-democratic-integrity ### 2026-10-07: Gyanesh Kumar: Opposition demands CEC resignation amid nationwide protests Opposition parties across India are protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over alleged voter roll irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision process. 46 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-bloc-protests-in-delhi-spark-political-confrontation ### 2026-10-04: India: Government restricts protests amid election official accountability concerns The Modi government is reportedly restricting peaceful assembly to protect the Chief Election Commissioner from accountability, drawing comparisons to Gandhi’s historical civil resistance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-government-restricts-protests-amid-election-official-accountability-concerns ### 2026-10-03: INDIA bloc leaders march in Delhi demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, marched in New Delhi to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the voter list revision process. 44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-bloc-mps-to-march-to-election-commission-in-new-delhi --- Cite as: Supreme Court and regional protests over voter roll revision. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indian-protests-over-election-commission-accountability