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Security increased outside Election Commission office ahead of India Bloc march
Security has been tightened around the Election Commission of India office in New Delhi ahead of the India Bloc’s proposed march on Tuesday. MPs of opposition parties are going to march from Parliament House to the headquarters of the Election Commission.
In view of the march, the deployment of Delhi Police and Central Security Forces has been increased. Barricades have been put up at multiple levels around Parliament and the Election Commission to maintain security during the protest.
This protest is taking place amid the ongoing dispute between the opposition and the Election Commission regarding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition parties are raising questions about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list and are demanding the resignation of the CEC.
Opposition MPs will march from Parliament to the Election Commission.
India Bloc MPs have been asked to gather at the Makar Gate of Parliament at around 10:30 am. After this, information came out that the march would start at around 11 o’clock.
Opposition parties say they want to raise their questions regarding SIR and voter lists with the Election Commission. Many opposition parties including Congress are continuously protesting on this issue.
However, Aam Aadmi Party has decided not to join this march. AAP has said that it will proceed with its own strategy on this issue.
Opposition campaign against CEC Gyanesh Kumar intensifies
Opposition parties’ opposition to CEC Gyanesh Kumar has steadily increased over the past few days. The opposition is demanding answers from the Election Commission regarding the alleged irregularities in the SIR process and the voter list.
Many questions have been raised by the opposition regarding the functioning of the Election Commission and changes in the voter list. On the other hand, the Election Commission has rejected some of the allegations and given clarification on its decisions and procedures.
Amidst this political controversy, cases related to SIR are also being heard in the Supreme Court. The court has sought clarification from the Election Commission regarding the process and decisions.
Traffic diversions and restrictions in several areas of Delhi
Traffic is being controlled and diverted in several parts of central Delhi in view of the march. Commuters may face additional traffic pressure in Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Parliament Street and surrounding areas.
Police have strengthened the security cordon on the main roads between Parliament and the Election Commission. Additional security forces have also been deployed around Vijay Chowk and Akashvani.
The administration is trying to maintain law and order during the protest and to ensure minimum impact on the movement of common people. For this, barricading has already been done at sensitive places.
Section 163 implemented, crackdown on crowds and barricade breaking
The administration has imposed restrictions in the New Delhi area under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Under this, a warning has been given of action against gathering of crowd without permission and activities affecting public order.
The police are also giving instructions to the people through loudspeakers. Officials have appealed to the protesters to follow the prescribed rules and not cross the barricades.
Security agencies are making preparations in advance to avoid any unpleasant situation regarding the march. The presence of police and paramilitary forces has been increased at various places in central Delhi.
The march was decided after a meeting of 19 opposition parties.
India Bloc announced the march to the Election Commission office after a meeting of opposition parties on September 30. The meeting discussed the election process and future strategy regarding issues related to the SIR.
Along with this, the opposition parties have also planned to carry out demonstrations and public relations campaigns at different levels across the country. According to Congress leaders, this campaign will continue in the coming days also.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has also issued its clarification regarding Form 6 related to voter registration. The Commission says that the basic format of Form 6 has not been changed, but an additional declaration form has been provided.
All eyes are on the India Bloc march today.
The ongoing political controversy surrounding CEC Gyanesh Kumar and SIR has now reached the streets and the courts. Tuesday’s march is another major part of the opposition’s campaign, while the Election Commission is continuously giving clarifications about its procedures.
In view of the security arrangements, heavy deployment of police and security forces has been made in Central Delhi. Due to the proposed march from Parliament to the Election Commission, traffic arrangements on many major routes may also be affected.
Now the focus will be on what issues the leaders of India Bloc raise before the Election Commission during March and what response comes from the Commission on these.
