ELECTION CHIEF UNDER HEIGHTENED SECURITY AS SIR CONTROVERSY FUELS ESCALATING PROTESTS
October 9, 2026
The Centre has strengthened the security cover of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid intensifying protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, deploying additional personnel at his official residence, the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi and his parents’ home in Agra.
The decision to reinforce Kumar’s existing Z-plus security arrangement followed an assessment of the prevailing security situation and the growing demonstrations by Opposition parties demanding his resignation. Security officials said additional personnel had been deployed to strengthen protection at key locations associated with the chief election commissioner.
The enhanced arrangements include a round-the-clock police presence outside Kumar’s official residence in New Delhi. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which provides his Z-plus security cover, has also increased its deployment of reserve personnel.
Security has been reinforced at Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission’s headquarters on Ashoka Road, with additional personnel stationed around the building’s entrances, exits and perimeter.
The move comes amid protests led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders, who have accused the Election Commission of electoral-roll manipulation and demanded Kumar’s resignation. The allegations centre on the SIR exercise, which has become a major political flashpoint.
Security concerns have intensified following incidents near properties associated with Kumar. According to security officials, protesters attempted to enter his New Moti Bagh residence in Delhi on Wednesday, after which they were detained. Earlier, on September 28, Congress workers protested outside his ancestral home in Agra, where slogans were allegedly painted on the walls and main gate. Two Congress leaders from Uttar Pradesh were arrested in connection with that incident.
The heightened security also comes ahead of a demonstration called by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding action over alleged irregularities in the electoral-roll revision. Authorities are preparing for further mobilisation as protests against the chief election commissioner continue.
The security upgrade reflects the Centre’s response to the heightened threat perception surrounding Kumar amid the politically charged dispute. With demonstrations continuing and further protests planned, security arrangements around the Election Commission and the chief election commissioner’s residences have been strengthened.
