Delhi police banned a protest on October 2, 2026, demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar. Student and civil society groups, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA), had called for the demonstration, questioning the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decisions, particularly its Special Intensive Review (SIR) process for voter lists.
Authorities invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which prohibits gatherings of five or more people without prior permission. Security was significantly tightened in and around Jantar Mantar, with roads blocked and additional security personnel deployed to manage potential crowds. Delhi Traffic Police also implemented traffic diversion rules, advising motorists to use alternative routes.
Questions Raised Over Election Commission’s Functioning
Gyanesh Kumar assumed office as India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner on February 19, 2025. The Election Commission of India, the constitutional body responsible for conducting elections in India, has been implementing a phased Special Intensive Review (SIR) process nationwide. This initiative aims to ensure voter lists are accurate, updated, and free from ineligible or duplicate names. The SIR process involves house-to-house enumeration by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), distribution and collection of enumeration forms, publication of draft voter lists, and a specific period for registering claims and objections.
The Supreme Court of India had examined the validity of the SIR process on May 27, 2026, ruling that it aligns with the ECI’s statutory mandate under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and its constitutional duty under Article 324 to ensure free and fair elections. However, questions about the ECI’s functioning intensified after a report on September 23, 2026, revealed that two Election Commissioners had objected to the commission’s decisions 14 times. Protesters are demanding Kumar’s resignation, citing these concerns and alleged irregularities in the SIR process.
Previous Protests and Nationwide Calls
This was not the first instance of protests against the CEC. On September 26, 2026, approximately 150 leaders, students, and civil society members were detained by police near Jantar Mantar during a similar demonstration. The Aam Aadmi Party’s Delhi unit president, Saurabh Bhardwaj, had appealed to people to participate in the proposed October 2, 2026, protest at Jantar Mantar.
Beyond Delhi, the “Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP) had also announced a protest against the Election Commission and Gyanesh Kumar in Mumbai on October 2, 2026. However, Mumbai police denied permission for their event at Shivaji Park.
Uncertainty Surrounds October 2 Protest
Despite the police ban, protesting organizations had indicated their intention to march towards Jantar Mantar in large numbers, with an estimated 1,500 people expected to participate. However, further information on whether the protest actually took place on October 2, 2026, or if there were any arrests or clashes, remains unavailable. There has also been no official response from the Election Commission or the Indian government regarding the protests and the demands for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The specific details of the alleged irregularities in the SIR process and the current status of the 150 individuals detained on September 26, 2026, are also not yet known.
