Kharge pushes for ballot voting, pre-poll electoral rolls in INDIA bloc proposal
The INDIA bloc opposition coalition announced on Wednesday that their MPs will march to the Election Commission on October 6 in protest of alleged "vote theft". Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing media after a meeting at Constitution Club in New Delhi on September 30, 2026, said the opposition parties will also hold "Save Democracy" rallies across all districts between October 2 and October 8.
During the meeting, Kharge called for ballot papers to replace electronic voting machines (EVMs) and stated that all INDIA bloc leaders agree with this measure. He also advocated for the adoption of pre-SIR (pre-Supplementary Inclusive Register) electoral rolls for future polls. The opposition bloc met to discuss their action plan regarding alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and to press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Kharge announced that a public meeting will be held in Delhi on November 1, 2026. The opposition will hold five rallies to inform the country "how the government is snatching away their right to vote and other constitutional rights". The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha also staged a demonstration demanding the CEC's resignation and elections using ballot papers.
