A heavy police deployment was seen outside the Election Commission of India (ECI) office in New Delhi on Friday, September 25, 2026, as Congress workers prepared to hold protests demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The security arrangements were put in place ahead of a planned Indian Youth Congress march from 5 Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar. Congress has also asked its state units to organise demonstrations outside state election offices across the country.
Congress Announces Nationwide Protests
The Congress announced the protest programme on September 24, asking its Pradesh Congress Committees to organise marches to their respective State Election Commission offices on September 25.
The Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the demonstrations would demand Kumar's removal and an independent examination of decisions and electoral roll changes made under his tenure. The party has also raised allegations related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. These allegations are Congress’s claims and should not be taken as facts.
The Times of India also reported that Congress had reached out to opposition parties about the possibility of an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner. The proposed notice could be submitted in Parliament in the coming weeks, according to party sources.
#WATCH | Jammu, J&K: Heavy police deployed as Congress party workers are set to hold a protest demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. pic.twitter.com/BUlrA87aCW
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2026
What is the SIR controversy?
The protests come amid a political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Congress has questioned the Election Commission’s handling of the process and has called for an independent review.
But the Election Commission has rejected suggestions that differences among election commissioners indicate a structural breakdown. The poll panel has said operational questions and administrative suggestions are part of its internal functioning and that decisions concerning SIR were taken unanimously.
This difference in positions is at the centre of the current political dispute.
Protests Also Reported in Other States
The demonstrations are not limited to Delhi. Congress workers have been advised to hold protests at election offices in different states.
In Kolkata, Congress workers gathered outside Calcutta University and began a march towards the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer's office. Police and security arrangements were increased in the city.
A protest was also held in Bhopal on September 24, with Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress members demonstrating outside the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer. Congress supporters voiced their opposition to the electoral roll revision process and demanded action against the CEC.
