Samajwadi Party stages protest march in Barabanki demanding Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation

Amid ongoing political friction over the fairness of the electoral process in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party staged a protest march in Barabanki, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Held under the directives of party national president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, the foot march formed part of the party’s statewide ‘Save Democracy Week’ and ‘Save Vote, Save Country’ campaign. Samajwadi Party leader Rakesh Kumar Verma said the demonstration aimed to highlight the protection of citizens’ voting rights and the impartiality of democratic institutions.

During the march, party workers and local leaders walked through the streets carrying banners and holding meetings to press their demands concerning the transparency of voter lists and election procedures.

The opposition’s criticism of the Election Commission has increasingly become a central political topic in the state. Parties including the Samajwadi and Congress have repeatedly raised questions over electoral accountability. The Samajwadi Party scheduled programs across various districts between October 2 and October 8 to emphasize voter protection and institutional integrity.

Party representatives maintained that ensuring public trust in electoral bodies and safeguarding every citizen’s right to vote remains essential for the democratic framework. The Barabanki protest aligns with these broader state-level demonstrations as questions regarding voter rolls and the commission’s functioning gain traction ahead of upcoming assembly elections.

The allegations and calls for resignation raised by opposition figures represent political claims rather than independently verified facts, while responses and positions from the Election Commission remain a relevant factor in the ongoing dispute.