New Delhi: The INDIA bloc on Wednesday, September 30, announced a week-long “Save Democracy March” from October 2 to 8, along with a joint march to the Election Commission of India (ECI) office in Delhi on October 6, as opposition parties intensified their campaign over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The decisions were taken at a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders in New Delhi.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the district-level marches would involve INDIA bloc parties, civil society groups and “like-minded people”. Announcing the programme, Kharge said, “We will do a ‘Save Democracy’ march from October 2-8 in all districts across the country.” Opposition MPs are also scheduled to march to the ECI office on October 6.

The bloc has raised concerns over the transparency of electoral-roll revisions, including voter deletions and the appeals process. Opposition parties have also raised demands concerning the use of ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines.

The meeting comes amid a political dispute over the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise and reports of differences within the poll panel. The Indian Express report cited by opposition leaders said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on 14 occasions over 10 months concerning SIR-related decisions and orders.

The Election Commission has rejected suggestions of institutional dysfunction. Responding to the reports, the poll body said, “Differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution,” and maintained that SIR-related decisions were taken unanimously by the full Commission.

The INDIA bloc has also announced a “Save Democracy” rally in New Delhi on November 1. The latest decisions indicate that the opposition campaign over SIR will continue through October, with the October 6 march to the ECI expected to be a key part of the programme.