Preparations gathered pace at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday for the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities, with workers erecting stages, installing barricades and arranging seating for thousands of participants.
A large Tricolour-themed tent was being erected over the main stage designated for senior opposition leaders, while another platform was being prepared for representatives of state units of INDIA bloc parties.
Rows of white canopy tents were also installed near the venue as mini-trucks transported plastic chairs and other equipment. Workers were seen assembling temporary structures and positioning metal barricades to regulate crowd movement.
The demonstration is scheduled to take place between 10 am and 5 pm on November 1 as part of the opposition's campaign against alleged "vote chori" and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
While the Congress has claimed that approximately 10 lakh people could participate, Delhi Police estimates suggest a gathering of around 50,000.
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ฑ
Delhi Police said around 3,500 personnel would be deployed to maintain security and manage crowds during the rally.
The venue has been divided into 14 zones, with each placed under the supervision of an assistant commissioner-rank officer. Officers of additional deputy commissioner rank will oversee two zones each.
Ten companies of reserve forces have also been called in to strengthen security arrangements.
Police said more than 200 CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras and surveillance-equipped vehicles would be used to monitor activities across the venue.
Organisers have been directed to install high-definition surveillance cameras at strategic locations and establish a dedicated control room for monitoring footage.
They have also been asked to deploy sufficient volunteers, provide drinking water and separate toilet facilities for women, and coordinate parking arrangements with the traffic police.
Authorities have sought details of invitees, volunteers and buses expected to transport participants to the venue.
Overnight stays have been prohibited, while organisers have been cautioned against disorderly conduct or speeches that could disturb communal harmony.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
The Congress has stepped up coordination with its state units to mobilise supporters for the demonstration, particularly from states neighbouring Delhi.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has appealed to students, civil society organisations and the public to participate, describing the gathering as part of a movement to protect democracy and the Constitution.
Senior party leaders have been holding meetings with state units to coordinate transportation, attendance and other arrangements ahead of the rally.
The Indian Youth Congress has also planned symbolic demonstrations highlighting alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
According to the organisation, some participants will wear white cloth resembling ghosts to represent voters allegedly declared dead or removed from electoral lists. Others are expected to wear Batman masks as part of the protest.
๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
An official communication dated October 17, addressed to Congress leader Manish Chatrath, granted permission to book Ramlila Maidan from October 25 to November 3.
The approval was subject to permission from the land-owning authority and compliance with prescribed conditions relating to security, crowd management and public convenience.
Police have instructed organisers to maintain close coordination with the authorities and ensure that all arrangements are completed before the event.
๐ฅ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐น๐น๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด
The November 1 demonstration follows the INDIA bloc's decision to organise a symbolic "public impeachment" proceeding against CEC Gyanesh Kumar on October 30.
After encountering difficulties in securing permission for the programme at other locations, opposition leaders decided to hold the event at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Rajaji Marg.
The Congress and other INDIA bloc constituents have accused the Election Commission of undermining the fairness of electoral processes, particularly through the ongoing SIR exercise.
They have made Kumar's resignation a central demand of their campaign against the BJP-led Union government, alleging that electoral roll revisions have resulted in the wrongful exclusion of eligible voters.
The allegations remain contested, and the opposition's demand for the CEC's resignation is a political position rather than a judicial finding.
With the rally approaching, both organisers and police are finalising arrangements for what is expected to be a major political gathering in the national capital.