The police force has rolled out a multi‑layered security grid around the Election Commission, citing concerns over the upcoming opposition demonstration. The grid includes five physical barricades, tear‑gas ready units, and a body‑cam mandate for officers above ACP rank.
The protest stems from a September 30 meeting of 19 opposition parties who demanded a transparent review of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. Critics allege that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made unilateral decisions, ignoring input from commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, who raised concerns 14 times.
Key opposition figures such as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, AAP's Sanjay Singh, and Trinamool Congress's Abhishek Banerjee will lead the march, while AAP and DMK have opted out. DMK's MK Stalin clarified that the party would not join the protest.
Police have set a 10 a.m. checkpoint at Patel Chowk to prevent ingress, and a review of the SIR will be convened by the Election Commission after the protest, ensuring that the proceedings are monitored closely.