Bihar Opposition Demands Fresh 2025 Assembly Elections, Halt to SIR and Removal of CEC

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc in Bihar have demanded that the 2025 Bihar Assembly election be declared invalid and that fresh elections be held, alleging irregularities in the electoral process.

The demands were raised during a protest march in Patna on Thursday, October 8, 2026, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) working president and Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav. Following the march, opposition representatives submitted a memorandum to Bihar Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd).

The opposition also called for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and an immediate halt to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Tejashwi Yadav Leads INDIA Bloc Protest

The protest brought together leaders and workers from the RJD, Indian National Congress, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and Left parties.

Tejashwi Yadav said the opposition had united to protect democracy and ensure a fair election and a level playing field for all political parties. The parties questioned the conduct of the 2025 Assembly election and accused the Election Commission of helping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secure victory.

The allegations represent the opposition's position and have not been established as fact merely by the submission of the memorandum.

Six Key Demands Raised by the Opposition

The opposition's memorandum outlined six demands concerning the election process, electoral-roll revision and accountability within election administration.

1. Declare the 2025 Bihar Assembly Election Invalid

The INDIA bloc parties demanded that the 2025 Assembly election be declared invalid, alleging that the electoral process was unfair and that the outcome did not reflect a level playing field.

2. Conduct Fresh Assembly Elections

The opposition called for fresh elections in Bihar, arguing that a new poll was necessary to address its concerns about the previous election.

3. Remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

The parties demanded the immediate removal of Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the election administration of failing to ensure a fair electoral process.

4. Stop the Special Intensive Revision

The memorandum called for an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns about the process and its potential impact on voters' names and eligibility.

5. Address Alleged Electoral Irregularities

The opposition demanded action over what it described as irregularities in the electoral process. Its allegations centred on the conduct of the election and the role of the Election Commission.

6. Ensure Fair Elections and a Level Playing Field

The INDIA bloc emphasised the need for electoral conditions that allow all political parties to compete fairly and protect the democratic rights of voters.

Note: The supplied report explicitly identifies the demand to invalidate the 2025 election, hold fresh polls, remove the CEC and stop SIR. The remaining points above summarise the broader concerns described in the excerpt; check the original memorandum or full article before presenting them as the exact wording of all six formal demands.

Opposition Accuses Election Commission of Bias

The opposition alleged that the Election Commission had helped the BJP win the Bihar Assembly election through what its leaders described as a “fake election.”

The parties argue that electoral institutions must remain impartial and that concerns about electoral-roll revision should be addressed transparently. The Election Commission's role in maintaining accurate voter lists has become a major political issue, with opposition parties questioning the implementation of the SIR exercise.

The allegations of electoral manipulation and institutional bias should be distinguished from verified findings. Any determination about the validity of the election would depend on applicable legal procedures, evidence and decisions by the competent authorities or courts.

Political Significance

The protest underscores the continuing confrontation between the ruling BJP and opposition parties over electoral integrity in Bihar. By submitting a memorandum to the Governor, the INDIA bloc has sought to place its demands before a constitutional authority and maintain pressure on the election administration.

The demands also connect Bihar's political dispute with the wider national debate over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the responsibilities of the Election Commission.

Whether the memorandum leads to any official action remains uncertain. The opposition's demands, however, signal that the dispute over the 2025 election and voter-list revision remains a significant political issue.

Source: Himanshu Harsh, The Indian Express
Published: October 9, 2026, at 6:30 a.m. IST
Location: Patna, Bihar