- INDIA bloc protests CEC resignation, marches from Parliament to Election Commission.
- Heavy security deployment in Delhi by RAF and Delhi Police personnel.
- Delhi Traffic Police issued advisory, commuters to avoid affected routes.
Heavy deployment of security forces is in place in Delhi as the opposition INDIA bloc is set to hold a protest march from Parliament's Makar Dwar to the Election Commission Headquarters demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Delhi Police personnel are present around Vijay Chowk, Sansad Marg and the EC office while RAF (Rapid Action Force) personnel are deployed around Transport Bhawan, Akashvani and other areas.
Outside the EC office, barricades are erected, and dozens of personnel are stationed.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police has also issued an advisory for special traffic arrangements on key stretches in the capital today. The traffic restrictions are in place since 8 AM.
Affected roads
The Delhi Traffic Police said that regulations and diversions will be in place on the following stretches:
- Connaught Place–Patel Chowk–Parliament Street
- Patel Chowk–GPO
- Windsor Place–GPO
- Ashoka Road
- Jantar Mantar Road & adjoining areas
The traffic police have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel through affected areas as barricading, diversion and congestion could spark delays.
The commuters are advised to plan journeys in advance and allow extra travel time while preferably using Metro and other public transport wherever feasible.
The march is set to begin at 11 AM. Congress, Samajwadi Party, Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, and other Opposition parties will walk from Parliament to the ECI headquarters.
Senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Kalyan Banerjee, and others are expected to participate in the march. The Opposition leaders will also meet President Droupadi Murmu to raise concerns over the SIR exercise.
The march comes in the wake of mounting criticism from opposition parties over the conduct of the SIR exercise and alleged irregularities in the functioning of the poll body. The EC has, however, rejected allegations of differences among its three-member body and maintained that decisions relating to the exercise were taken unanimously.