Join the Nationwide Protest on 23 October 2026

by the National Platform “People Against SIR”

“Har hath me Tiranga and Har Gali me Jantar Mantar

In Every Hand the Tricolour and in Every Street a Jantar Mantar”

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) calls upon the working class and the people of India to join the Nationwide protest on 23 October 2026 called by the National Platform “People Against SIR” in large numbers.

CITU is an active part of the National Platform “People Against SIR” along with a broad spectrum of organisations and networks representing farmers, workers, agricultural workers, women, youth, students, Adivasis, minorities, Dalits and disabled as well as progressive individuals, artists, intellectuals and civil rights activists came together to constitute the platform.

CITU leaders, activists and members will join the protest at the states/districts/local levels on 23 October 2026 demanding the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the resignation/sacking of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The CITU has observed a nationwide campaign week against SIR from 16 to 22 October 2026 with gate meetings, group meetings, street corner meetings etc.

The SIR has disenfranchised 13 crore voters and deprived them of their voting rights. Most of them are unorganised and migrant working people who are being made to run from pillar to post, foregoing their daily earnings, to enrol themselves as voters, a right to which they are constitutionally entitled. Further, with the implementation and operationalisation of the Labour Codes, particularly the Code on Social Security, which mandates an identity card prescribed by the Central Government for enrolment under the social security boards and to become beneficiaries, the disenfranchised workers may also be deprived of their entitlement to social security benefits and other government welfare schemes. Hence, the SIR-led disenfranchisement will lead to the denial of workers' rights. The scrapping of SIR is therefore essential to ensure workers' rights to social security.

CITU calls upon its units and affiliated unions to coordinate with the other constituents of “People against SIR” and ensure massive participation and success of the protest.

The working class is determined to regain the voting rights of all citizens who have been wrongfully disenfranchised by this Election Commission.

Issued by,

 Elamaram Kareem

General Secretary