India election chief faces renewed demand for resignation
Over 130 million names removed from voter rolls in recent months, prompting massive opposition protests in New Delhi.
By Marco Whitaker ·
More than 130 million names have been deleted from India’s voter lists since last year, a figure that has fueled fresh anger among political rivals and voters alike. This ongoing electoral review has become the central issue in a new round of demonstrations staged in New Delhi on Sunday.
The opposition bloc, known as INDIA, organized the rally to demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, the chief election commissioner. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, joined protesters at Ramlila Maidan. He was accompanied by supporters from the Cucaracha movement, a youth-driven campaign that recently forced the resignation of the education minister in July.
The shift in protest locations marks a change in tactics for the opposition. Authorities removed Jantar Mantar, a historic observatory and traditional protest site, from the list of approved venues last month. This forced demonstrators to relocate to the larger Ramlila Maidan square. Police and paramilitary forces deployed thousands of officers to the area.
Surveillance operations were extensive during the event. Officials reported the use of more than 200 security cameras, drones, and body cams along the protest route. The heavy presence followed a period of police crackdowns on demonstrators in the capital just weeks prior.
Critics argue the voter list revision is politically motivated and disproportionately affects religious minorities, particularly Muslims. They claim the process threatens to strip millions of citizens of their voting rights. The Modi government and the Election Commission deny these accusations, stating the review aims to remove duplicate and ineligible records.
Human Rights Watch issued a report on Thursday regarding the situation. Elaine Pearson, the group’s director for Asia, stated that the review raises serious doubts about the impartiality of future elections. She urged authorities to immediately stop the process, noting it has denied marginalized people their right to vote and other government services.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not made a public comment on the protests. Several leaders in his Bharatiya Janata party have dismissed the demonstrators as anarchists. Some officials suggested without providing evidence that the protests are backed by foreign powers. The opposition continues to use the call for Kumar’s resignation to mobilize support against the ruling government.
