On August 11, CPIML MP Sudama Prasad joined the INDIA bloc MPs’ march from Parliament to the Election Commission of India to protest against vote theft and voter suppression. The march, which began from the Parliament premises, was stopped by the police before it could reach the ECI office, which had been turned into a barricaded fortress. Later, as the MPs intensified their protest on the streets, they were taken into custody and detained at Parliament Street police station until the evening.
Sudama Prasad condemned the arbitrary and unconstitutional conduct of the ECI, pointing out that a large number of votes have been excluded from the draft electoral roll in Bihar during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. He said that the names of several voters are missing, yet the ECI is busy congratulating itself instead of addressing the issue.
He also criticised the ECI for refusing to investigate the issue of vote theft in Karnataka, which had been raised by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
Bihar Protest
A protest march was also organised in Bihar, where CPIML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, along with party leaders and activists, took out a rally in Patna against the Election Commission’s disenfranchisement campaign and the SIR fraud. With the slogan “Vote Thieves, Vacate the Chair,” the march started from Buddha Smriti Park and proceeded to the Seven Martyrs Memorial in Patna.
After paying homage at Satmurti Golambar to the seven students martyred on 11 August 1942 and hoisting the tricolour, Comrade Bhattacharya addressed the gathering, stating that the country is witnessing the biggest attack on the Constitution, democracy and voting rights since independence. He said that on 11 August we not only remember our martyrs but also take a pledge. The martyrs who faced bullets and imprisonment for freedom never wanted the tricolour to bow before anyone. Today, that same tricolour, Constitution and vote are in danger. The 2025 Bihar Assembly election should not be seen as an ordinary election but as a battle to save the Constitution. Those whose names remain on the voter list must vote to remove this government. Every single vote can defeat the election thieves.
Campaign Call
CPIML is carrying out the Chunav Chor, Gaddi Chhor [Election Thieves, Quit Office] campaign from 9 to 11 August. On 15 August, a “Save Independence, Save Constitution, Save Democracy” march will be organised across the country.
As part of the campaign against voter suppression, protests were organised across Bihar. In Andhra Pradesh, a protest programme was held on 11 August at the Vizianagaram collectorate. In West Bengal, protest demonstrations were held in several districts, including Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, Siliguri and Burdwan.
