ECI says Opposition MPs’ Parliament Annexe meet demand ‘could not be accepted’
Poll panel says protocol requires meetings with political delegations to be held at its premises; offers to receive memorandum through senior-most officer on duty
Following the over eight-hour protest rally by the Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha on October 6, 2026, the Election Commission of India (ECI) revealed that the opposition sought a meeting outside the ECI premises, a request deemed unusual and thus unacceptable. The ECI had proposed sending its senior officer to the proposed venue to receive the MPs' memorandum, which would have been unprecedented.
However, the opposition declined this offer. After Rahul Gandhi was detained at the protest site inside Akashvani Bhavan, the ECI confirmed that no political party sought a meeting with the Commission up until 4 p.m. On 4 p.m., Delhi Police informed the ECI that a delegation of 240 MPs, led by Gandhi, wanted to meet and submit a memorandum.
Considering the request unusual per ECI protocol, which mandates meetings inside the Commission's premises, the ECI again offered to send its senior officer, but the offer was rejected by the MPs. The ECI further explained its procedures for meetings, stating that all political parties were informed of these terms.
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