The INDIA bloc has taken its campaign against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls to Bengaluru, where opposition parties organised a demonstration at Freedom Park on November 5, 2026.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for greater transparency in the functioning of the Election Commission.
The demonstration represents another stage in the Opposition’s nationwide campaign following its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.
Multiple Opposition Parties Participate in Bengaluru Protest
Congress leaders joined representatives of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Forward Bloc and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) at the demonstration.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president B.K. Hariprasad had previously announced the protest and indicated that the campaign would not remain restricted to the state capital.
The party’s plan includes taking the issue to district, taluk and block-level organisations.
The participating leaders want electoral procedures and voter registration concerns to receive greater public attention.
SIR Process Faces Opposition Criticism
The Special Intensive Revision is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission to examine and update electoral rolls.
However, INDIA bloc parties have expressed apprehension that the process could affect eligible voters if adequate safeguards are not maintained.
The alliance has demanded that the current exercise be withdrawn and that stronger protections be introduced to prevent legitimate voters from being removed from electoral lists.
Opposition leaders have also questioned the process through which the Chief Election Commissioner is appointed.
CPI(M) Karnataka secretary K. Prakash called for a more democratic selection mechanism. The parties have additionally demanded the withdrawal of the legal provision concerning immunity for the Chief Election Commissioner.
Karnataka Campaign May Reach Local Levels
The Bengaluru demonstration is connected to a wider political effort to organise protests across different parts of the country.
Karnataka Congress leaders have indicated that the campaign will be expanded through local party structures to encourage participation at the grassroots level.
The continuing disagreement has brought voter-list revisions, the appointment of election officials and institutional accountability into the national political conversation.
With opposition parties continuing to press their demands, the SIR controversy is likely to remain a significant political issue.