Neha Bora, Rakesh Tikait Among Activists Set to Join Anti-CEC Protest in Delhi

Neha Bora, Rakesh Tikait Among Activists Set to Join Anti-CEC Protest in Delhi

New Delhi, October 23, 2026: A coalition of activists, farmers’ organisations, student groups and civil society members is set to hold a protest march in Delhi on Friday against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 1 pm, with participants gathering at locations including Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Gol Dak Khana and Gol Market before marching towards the Election Commission’s office. Activists Neha Bora and Rakesh Tikait are among the prominent names associated with the protest campaign.

Nationwide Protest Call by Farmers and Civil Society Groups

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and People Against SIR have called for nationwide demonstrations opposing the electoral roll revision exercise. People Against SIR describes itself as a civil society campaign involving students, farmers and civil rights activists and claims that more than 300 organisations have joined its movement.

The protest campaign centres on concerns over electoral roll revisions, alleged voter deletions and the protection of citizens’ voting rights. The claims regarding voter deletions are demands and allegations raised by the campaign and should not be treated as independently verified figures.

The SKM has announced plans to submit memorandums to President Droupadi Murmu. Its demands include scrapping the SIR exercise, restoring voting rights to 13.41 crore people whom the organisation alleges have been deleted from electoral rolls, and removing and prosecuting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Activists and Student Organisations Join the Mobilisation

Several student and civil society organisations, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), are expected to participate in the Delhi demonstration.

Economist Parakala Prabhakar has also called for nationwide mobilisation, using the slogan “Har Gali Mein Jantar Mantar” to encourage protests across the country. The campaign reflects efforts by groups opposing SIR to expand their demonstrations beyond Delhi and bring their concerns to a wider public audience.

The protest comes amid continuing political disagreements over electoral roll revisions, voter inclusion and the Election Commission’s handling of the process.

Delhi High Court to Deliver Order on Neha Bora’s Plea

The protest is also taking place as the Delhi High Court is expected to pronounce its order on a plea filed by AISA president Neha Bora challenging a police notice requiring her to furnish a bond to maintain peace.

Bora was detained on October 16 while reportedly on her way to participate in the Cockroach Janata Party’s “Lehra Do Tiranga” march. She was released the following day.

On Thursday, Bora argued before the High Court that citizens do not require permission to hoist the national flag. She has asked the court to quash the notice and protect her from coercive action. Justice Subramonium Prasad reserved the order after hearing the matter and indicated that it would be pronounced on Friday.

The court’s decision could become an important development in the dispute over the police notice and the conditions imposed on participation in public demonstrations.

Electoral Rights and Institutional Accountability in Focus

The planned march highlights the growing public debate around electoral roll revisions, the responsibility of election authorities and the safeguards needed to ensure eligible citizens can exercise their voting rights.

For the protesting organisations, the key demands are the withdrawal of SIR, a review of alleged voter deletions and accountability from the Election Commission. The Election Commission’s response, the outcome of the High Court proceedings and the scale of participation in the nationwide demonstrations are among the developments to watch.

As the protest unfolds, the issue is likely to remain part of the wider political discussion over electoral transparency, civil liberties and the right to peaceful assembly.

Source: The Indian Express, October 23, 2026. The protest plans, organisational demands and court proceedings are reported as described in the supplied source; subsequent developments should be verified separately.