Delhi police deploy heavy security ahead of planned opposition march to Election Commission

Heavy security and traffic restrictions have been put in place across central Delhi ahead of a planned march by the INDIA bloc to the Election Commission of India headquarters. Opposition MPs are scheduled to walk from Parliament to the ECI office to protest alleged electoral roll irregularities and demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Delhi Traffic Police announced that traffic regulations and diversions began at 8 am in areas including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Parliament Street, the Patel Chowk-GPO stretch, Windsor Place-GPO, Ashoka Road, Jantar Mantar Road, and adjoining locations. Commuters have been advised to avoid non-essential travel through the affected zones during morning hours, utilize public transport like the Metro, and refrain from parking near restricted areas.

Police stated that no permission has been granted for the march or gathering. Around 4,000 personnel from the Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed across the New Delhi district. Security has been heightened following ongoing demonstrations by civil society groups that began on October 2, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

A senior police officer said elaborate security arrangements, including barricades and deployment at sensitive points, were established along the proposed route and around Parliament and the ECI headquarters to maintain law and order and manage traffic movement. Opposition leaders had earlier requested police not to obstruct the demonstration, assuring authorities that the march would be peaceful.