CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Z+ security cover has been strengthened following a fresh threat assessment amid protests over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. CEC Gyanesh Kumar's security cover has been upgraded following a fresh threat assessment, with additional personnel deployed around his residence, the Election Commission headquarters and for his personal protection, according to officials. The security review comes amid a sharp escalation in protests targeting the Chief Election Commissioner over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Officials said that the move followed protests near Kumar's Delhi residence and an agitation outside the residence of his family in Agra. Security personnel were also deployed around his home after protesters reportedly managed to trace the location. Kumar already had Z+ security cover, which has now been strengthened further. More personnel have been placed outside his residence in New Delhi, at Nirvachan Sadan on Ashoka Road and as part of his personal security detail. Delhi Police officials confirmed that the CEC had been under Z+ protection for some time. The development comes against the backdrop of several days of protests by opposition parties, student groups and civil society activists demanding Kumar's resignation. Demonstrators have accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the SIR exercise and questioned the removal of large numbers of names from electoral rolls. The Election Commission has maintained that the revision is aimed at ensuring cleaner electoral rolls and removing duplicate, ineligible or otherwise incorrect entries. Security arrangements in central Delhi have also been repeatedly strengthened as protests have intensified. On October 5, around 5,000 security personnel were deployed during separate demonstrations against Kumar, while more than 120 protesters were briefly detained, according to police and officials. On October 6, INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, marched towards the Election Commission headquarters demanding Kumar's resignation. Police stopped the march and detained several leaders as the protests continued. The security upgrade also comes days after the Supreme Court issued notice to the Election Commission and the Centre on a plea alleging that Kumar took certain decisions without the approval of the other two Election Commissioners. The court did not pass any interim order suspending the CEC, but said that it could undo decisions if a violation of the law is established. Diana George is Associate Editor at Times Now, with over a decade of experience covering national and international news, crime, and local politics. S... View More