'Save Democracy' Campaign: Opposition MPs Protest, Call for CEC to Step Down

The INDIA bloc on Tuesday launched a protest march towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters in New Delhi, with Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav saying the demonstrators would take all necessary steps to reach Nirvachan Sadan despite heavy security arrangements. Large numbers of security personnel were deployed across Central Delhi, while multiple layers of barricades were installed on roads leading to the Election Commission's office to restrict the movement of protesting MPs.

Yadav strongly criticised the BJP over its allegations that the Opposition was attacking constitutional institutions. He questioned the changes to the process for appointing election commissioners, particularly the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel and the inclusion of a Union minister. He also questioned why the BJP was defending the Election Commission when the Opposition's allegations and questions were directed at the poll body. Yadav argued that the Commission should respond to the concerns itself rather than having the ruling party speak on its behalf.

Asked about the heavy barricading, Yadav said the protesters remained determined to reach their destination. He also appealed to security personnel, saying they were citizens themselves and would understand the importance of issues surrounding democracy, electoral rolls and other public concerns.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Masood also joined the protest and criticised the extensive security deployment in the capital. Referring to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Masood questioned whether he should resign in view of what he described as criticism from the Supreme Court. Congress MP Dharamveer Gandhi raised allegations concerning deletions from electoral rolls, claiming that millions of voters had been removed and deprived of their voting rights. He said the Opposition would continue its campaign for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

The march is part of the INDIA bloc's wider "Save Democracy" campaign, which has focused on allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls and demands for greater transparency from the Election Commission. The protest is expected to add to the ongoing political confrontation between the Opposition and the poll panel over voter-list-related concerns and the functioning of the electoral system.