ECI Says No Formal Meeting Request Was Received From Opposition Amid SIR Row

The Election Commission further stated in its statement that it has come to its knowledge through the Delhi Police that a delegation of MPs headed by the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, wants to meet the Commission and handover a memorandum.

The Election Commission clarified the rules and stated its position, stating, "All political parties were informed of this and follow this procedure.

Whenever a delegation of any political party or a joint delegation of several parties wishes to meet the Commission, it seeks an appointment through its authorized representative, and the meeting is then held at a time mutually agreed upon by both parties."

The Election Commission further claimed that after 4 pm, while it was considering the proposed meeting, the Delhi Police informed it that the delegation consisted of 240 MPs and they wished to meet in the Parliament House Annexe.

In a press note released by the Election Commission of India said that earlier on October 6, it was informed through the media that some Members of Parliament wanted to meet the Commission along with their delegation, and later, at around 4 PM, Delhi Police informed the ECI that a delegation of MPs led by LoP Rahul Gandhi wished to meet the Commission and submit a memorandum. The ECI said that in 2025, it had laid down a procedure for meetings with political parties, under which delegations are required to seek appointments through an authorised representative. After 4 PM, when the Commission was considering the request, the Delhi Police informed it that the meeting was being sought with a group of around 240 MPs at Parliament House Annexe, which the ECI said was an unusual request and could not be accepted as its meetings are held only on its premises. The ECI said it proposed that its senior-most officer be sent to receive the memorandum, but the offer was declined by the MPs. The Commission reiterated that political parties can request meetings with it at any time, with the date and time mutually scheduled, and said it respects parliamentary and democratic processes as well as its own protocols and conventions. — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 6, 2026

The Commission described this request as unusual and stated that it could not be accepted because, under ECI protocol, meetings with political parties are held only within the Commission's premises.

The Election Commission further stated that it had proposed sending its most senior official to the Parliament House Annexe to receive the MPs' memorandum, but the MPs rejected this proposal as well.

The Commission stated that it respects the country's parliamentary and democratic processes, while stressing that its protocols and traditions are also important. It reiterated that political parties can request a meeting with the Election Commission at any time, after which the Commission will set a date and time based on their availability.

The protest occurred after INDIA alliance leaders led a large march from Parliament to the Election Commission headquarters. They were demanding a meeting with the Election Commission over allegations of "vote theft" and demanding the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the sit-in near Akashvani Bhavan, but the police later cleared the protest site. Several opposition MPs, including Rahul and Priyanka, were detained.