Protesters March Toward Election Commission Office in Central Delhi Over Voter List Revisions

UPDATE - follow-up to Protests against SIR LIVE: Delhi Police issue traffic advisory ahead of stir: Protesters have begun marching toward the Election Commission of India headquarters in central Delhi to protest against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the alleged deletion of voters.

The Protest

The march was called by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR and started near Gole Dak Khana. Participants are demanding the restoration of voting rights for those removed from rolls along with the removal and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Activists from Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh have joined the demonstration, with support coming from student groups including the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan and the Students' Federation of India. Demonstrators have been stopped by police on Ashoka Road where they are now staging a sit-in protest after being detained.

Security Measures

Heavy security is in place with Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel deployed near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. The Union Home Ministry has extended the deployment of 273 Central Armed Police Forces companies in the capital until October 31 to manage potential flash protests.

Context

Electoral rolls are official lists of registered voters used during elections to verify voter eligibility at polling booths. Protests regarding voter deletions often arise during intensive revision drives when names are removed due to relocations, duplicate entries or lack of updated verification documents.