The Election Commission of India issued a clarification on 6 October 2026 after a delegation of opposition MPs led by Rahul Gandhi sought to meet the Commission and submit a memorandum. The ECI explained its appointment procedure, the proposed meeting venue and the alternative arrangement it offered for receiving the document. The episode highlights wider questions about electoral transparency, institutional communication and political accountability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders criticised Congress after it failed to win any of the seats it contested in the latest Legislative Council elections across four states. The results, delivered through ballot-paper voting, renewed the political dispute over EVMs, alleged electoral irregularities and the opposition’s demand for changes to the voting system.

The political controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has intensified, with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) extending its support to the INDIA bloc’s proposed November 1 rally in Delhi. The party has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the voter-list revision exercise has raised serious concerns about the exclusion of eligible voters.

The BJP–JD(S) alliance won all four seats in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, according to the reported results. Congress faced a setback, particularly in the Bangalore Teachers’ constituency, where three-time MLC Puttanna lost. The defeat also carries political significance for Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.