INDIA Bloc MPs to March to EC Office, Leaders to Meet President Murmu Over SIR

New Delhi: Opposition MPs belonging to the INDIA bloc are set to march to the Election Commission of India headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday over the controversies surrounding CHief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while senior alliance leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu to raise their concerns over the exercise.

The march is scheduled to proceed from Parliament towards the Election Commission office as part of the opposition's ongoing campaign against SIR. The alliance had announced the programme after a meeting of opposition parties on September 30. This comes amid a series of nationwide campaigns against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over his unilateral decisions regarding SIR and other election related matters.

Security has been strengthened around the Election Commission headquarters and other parts of central Delhi ahead of the protest. Police and central armed forces have been deployed in the New Delhi district, while traffic restrictions have also been put in place around areas along the proposed march route.

The INDIA bloc has raised allegations concerning the conduct of the SIR and has demanded action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission has rejected allegations of differences within its three-member body and maintained that decisions relating to the exercise were taken unanimously.

The protests are part of a wider campaign announced by the opposition, including demonstrations and marches over the electoral-roll revision. The Aam Aadmi Party, however, has said it will not participate in Tuesday's march to the EC headquarters.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Election Commission and Centre over pleas seeking suspension of the CEC. They also reiterated that the decisions made by the EC should be either Unanimous or agreed by majority. The apex court furtehr stated that any come decisions not taken unanimously or by majority will be annulled once its confirmed.