Key Events in the ECI Series: Timeline

NEW DELHI, 16/03/2019: A view of the Election Commission of India logo at Nirvachan Sadan (ECI Headquarters) in New Delhi on March 16, 2019. | Photo credit: MOORTHY RV

With an Indian Express report detailing how two election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, protested 14 times in 10 months against decisions taken by the ECI – some of which they said were taken without their knowledge – the actions of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar came under scrutiny and nationwide protests demanding his resignation intensified last week.

The Supreme Court on Monday (Oct 5, 2026) said the changes in Form 6 were not made by the court and issued a notice to the ECI and the Center seeking a reply within a week on a plea questioning the manner in which a panel headed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made its decision allegedly without the consent of two election commissioners.

The intensifying protests, especially in Delhi, led to the arrest of several protesters. AISA members alleged that AISA national president Neha Bora was manhandled by a male police officer during a police action and that she was abused by another police officer from Delhi. Three women journalists have come forward with complaints of sexual harassment against ACP Vivek Bhagat. Delhi Police said three such complaints were received on Sunday (October 4, 2026) and handed over to the crime branch for investigation. “The police can very well register an FIR and then hand it over to the crime branch for investigation. But an FIR is a must because the allegations are of harassment,” says Ms. Ratna Singh, Head of Legal Affairs, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

INDIA Bloc MPs, including opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, marched from the Parliament building towards the Election Commission of India on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) but were stopped by police on Parliament Street where they sat on a dharna and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The CJP also announced a strike on October 10, 2026.

Published – October 7, 2026 12:07 PM IST