INDIA Bloc Announces ‘Save Democracy’ Marches From October 2-8 Over SIR, Demands Ballot Paper Elections

September 30, 2026

New Delhi: The INDIA bloc on Wednesday announced a series of programmes to protest against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge saying opposition parties will hold district-level “Save Democracy” marches from October 2 to 8.

The opposition alliance also plans to march to the Election Commission on October 6, seek an appointment with the President of India in the second week of October and organise five major rallies as part of the campaign.

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Kharge said representatives of 20 political parties participated in the INDIA bloc meeting, while Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren joined the meeting virtually.

He said the parties discussed the need to remain united and mount a coordinated response over issues related to the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission.

INDIA Bloc Plans ‘Save Democracy’ Marches

Kharge said opposition parties would organise district-level “Save Democracy” marches and demonstrations outside district magistrates’ offices from October 2 to 8.

“All opposition MPs would march to the Election Commission on October 6,” he said.

The march had initially been planned for Wednesday but was deferred to ensure the participation of all opposition MPs.

The campaign will involve people, youth, INDIA bloc parties, NGOs and other organisations that the opposition says are committed to “unity and democracy”.

Opposition to Seek Early Hearing on SIR

The INDIA bloc also decided to approach the Supreme Court for an early hearing on issues related to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The Election Commission has been conducting SIR exercises in different states and Union Territories as part of its electoral-roll revision process. Its official voter services portal currently provides dedicated facilities for SIR-2026, including searching names in the last SIR electoral roll and submitting documents against notices.

The opposition parties have raised concerns about the exercise and its potential impact on voters and electoral rolls, while the Election Commission maintains that the revision is being carried out under the legal and constitutional framework governing electoral rolls.

INDIA Bloc Demands Elections Through Ballot Papers

Kharge further said the INDIA bloc would demand that all elections be conducted using ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The demand forms part of the opposition alliance’s wider campaign on electoral transparency and the SIR exercise.

The INDIA bloc’s latest meeting and proposed protests come amid an ongoing political dispute over the Election Commission, electoral-roll revisions and the conduct of elections. The Election Commission is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of the President and Vice-President.