LIVE: NDMC shuts CJP’s protest venue, Connaught Place Central Park, on Oct 16-17

Delhi Police allows flag-waving by select group

AISF, AIYF protesters demanding CEC's resignation detained in Delhi

Students affiliated with the AISF and AIYF were detained by police near Gol Dak Khana here on Thursday during a protest march demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over "vote theft".

The protesters were forced onto a police bus. Some were later seen slipping out through windows as slogans of "Vande Mataram" rang out in the background, according to PTI.

The students and members of the All India Students' Federation (AISF) and All India Youth Federation (AIYF) said they marched from Connaught Place, carrying the Indian flag as part of a "Tiranga March".

Students walking amid the showers were also captured in visuals shared on social media.

The protest comes amid a series of demonstrations by student groups and political organisations against Kumar over allegations of voter deletions and demands for accountability from the Election Commission.

Digvijaya Singh moves SC over SIR controversy, 'notices issued to EC, Centre'

Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Thursday said that the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Election Commission of India and Union government in response to his writ petition over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Holding a press conference here, the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of trying to disenfranchise the country's voters by abusing the SIR process.

The Opposition is currently seeking the resignation of CEC Kumar and reversal of the SIR process.

According to the law, only a decision taken by a majority in the three-member Commission is considered valid, Singh said.

"It is unfortunate that Gyanesh Kumar has taken several arbitrary decisions without consulting or informing the remaining two Election Commissioners. He has ignored their objections and deleted the names of over 13 crore eligible voters from the electoral rolls to ensure the BJP's victory. This is a grossly unconstitutional and undemocratic act," Singh claimed.

"I filed a petition in this regard in the Honorable Supreme Court on October 12 under Article 32 of the Constitution, which the Court today accepted," he said.

DYFI to join Tiranga March, launches campaign against alleged voter deletions

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) on Thursday launched a Delhi-wide campaign against the alleged deletion of eligible voters' names from electoral rolls, demanding the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The DYFI further declared that they will participate in the 'Tiranga March' scheduled for Friday at Central Park, Connaught Place.

As part of the campaign, DYFI activists will visit neighbourhoods to meet voters whose names have allegedly been deleted despite them continuing to reside at their registered addresses, the organisation's Delhi state committee said in a statement.

The organisation claimed that around 47.7 lakh names had been removed from Delhi's draft electoral roll under the SIR process and notices issued to nearly 33 lakh voters. It demanded that the Election Commission explain the large-scale deletions and ensure the restoration of eligible voters' names.

DYFI Delhi state secretary Aman Saini and state president Mrityunjay Pandey said the campaign would involve identifying affected voters, collecting details of the deletions and raising the matter with the Election Commission.

Press Council issues guidelines for journalists covering protests

The Press Council of India (PCI) has asked journalists covering protests and demonstrations to maintain objectivity and impartiality while reporting, visibly display their press identity cards and comply with lawful police instructions.

The guidelines, adopted at a meeting of the council on October 14, ask journalists to refrain from participating in demonstrations, taking sides or provoking confrontations, urge them to maintain distance from clashes, and remain alert to potential threats.

The guidelines come against the backdrop of the detention of several journalists covering recent protests in the national capital against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Press bodies condemned the police action, alleging that reporters were detained despite displaying press identity cards and that some had their phones and reporting equipment seized.

"In view of the prevailing scenario and the need to facilitate the orderly and effective coverage of protests and demonstrations," the council said. It said it adopted the guidelines to promote journalists' safety, responsible reporting and better coordination with law enforcement authorities.

Under the guidelines, journalists have been advised to carry identity cards issued by their media organisations or PIB/DIP accreditation, as applicable, and keep them visibly displayed while covering demonstrations.

BJP, EC working together to manipulate polls: Akhilesh Yadav

The BJP hides behind the Election Commission when it appears to be weakening, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said on Thursday while accusing the two of working together to manipulate electoral rolls and "deceiving India's democracy, Constitution and citizens".

The BJP and the Election Commission, with the administration's support, were preparing to manipulate elections on a large scale, Yadav told reporters at a press conference at the party headquarters.

"Where the BJP is certain to lose, that is where the biggest electoral theft takes place," he said and alleged that irregularities were more pronounced in constituencies where the BJP feared defeat.

Yadav cited the results of the Moradabad Nagar Assembly constituency to buttress his point, saying the SP had lost the 2022 Assembly election there by just 782 votes and claiming that 8,000 to 10,000 fake voter entries had subsequently been added in the constituency.

"When the BJP is losing among the people and appears to be weakening, it hides behind the Election Commission. Both are deceiving India's democracy, Constitution and citizens," he said. The SP, he added, had been raising these allegations since 2022.

Yadav also listed what he called the BJP's "10 election tactics", including fake voters, deleting genuine votes of opponents, distributing money and food before polling, intimidating voters, manipulating EVMs and rigging vote counting.

CJP Tiranga march: Delhi Police allows flag-waving by select group

Delhi Police has urged people to stay away from the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march at Connaught Place on Friday, but said it could facilitate a select group of people to wave the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable place.

In a statement issued on Thursday, police cited prohibitory orders in force in Connaught Place and adjoining areas, while indicating that a limited number of people could be allowed to participate in the symbolic display of patriotism.

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is already in force in the area to maintain peace and tranquillity and protect human lives as well as public and private properties, the statement said.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday urged people to join the "Lehra do Tiranga" march carrying the national flag at Central Park, Connaught Place, on Friday amid a stand-off with Delhi Police over demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The CJP has appealed to the public through social media and a press conference to assemble at Central Park at 5 pm on October 16 with tricolour flags.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has informed Delhi Police that Central Park will remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons. It has also requested adequate security arrangements to prevent unauthorised access to the park, the statement said.

NDMC shuts Connaught Place Central Park on Oct 16-17

EC announces voter roll revision in 17 states, UTs

The Election Commission on Thursday announced that Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls will be conducted in 17 states and Union territories, including those where assembly polls are due next year.

In a letter to chief electoral officers of these states and Union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa, the poll authority said January 1, 2027, will be the qualifying date.

The Special Summary Revision (SSR) aims to enrol eligible voters, particularly young and first-time electors, correct electoral roll entries and improve the purity of voter lists.

While the term of the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly ends on May 22 next year, the terms of 60-member Manipur, 40-member Goa, 117-member Punjab and 70-member Uttarakhand assemblies end on different dates in March 2027.

‘Did Vijay win due to voter deletions?' ask critics as TVK joins anti-SIR protest

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) joined protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls for the first time, marking a shift in its position as the INDIA bloc steps up its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The move comes amid growing differences between TVK and its Congress ally over protests demanding the CEC’s removal.

TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna has accused the DMK of working with the Election Commission and the BJP-led Centre during the revision exercise, alleging that more than 97 lakh voters were removed from Tamil Nadu’s rolls. He described the deletions as the “murder of democracy” and said TVK had approached the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the exercise. The protests have also exposed divisions between Congress and the DMK, which has stayed away from the INDIA bloc’s demonstrations. Read the full story: ‘Did Vijay win due to voter deletions?' ask critics as TVK joins anti-SIR protest