Opposition parties and youth groups are demanding accountability from India’s election body over a nationwide voter-roll revision, while the commission rejects allegations of wrongdoing.
Web Desk: India’s Election Commission is facing growing protests and political pressure over a nationwide revision of voter rolls, with opposition parties accusing the poll body of irregularities and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected the allegations, saying its decisions during the revision process were unanimous and legally valid.
The controversy has intensified after an investigation by The Indian Express reported disagreements among election commissioners over aspects of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Why are protests taking place?
The dispute centers on the large-scale revision of India’s voter lists.
According to election commission data cited by Indian media, more than 133 million names have been excluded from draft electoral rolls. The commission says the exercise includes the removal of duplicate, deceased and otherwise ineligible entries.
The final number of voters removed will only become clear after claims and objections are processed and final electoral rolls are published.
Opposition parties, however, argue that legitimate voters could be excluded and accuse the process of disproportionately affecting marginalised and minority communities. The allegations remain contested, with the ECI rejecting claims that its process is politically motivated.
Rahul Gandhi detained during protests
The protests have spread across India, with opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi becoming a prominent participant.
Gandhi was briefly detained by police during demonstrations in New Delhi on both Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Reuters and AP. Opposition lawmakers have been demanding Kumar’s resignation and challenging the voter-roll revision.
Indian police have also increased security in central New Delhi as opposition groups continue their demonstrations. Authorities imposed restrictions on gatherings in some areas amid plans for further protests.
Youth groups join demonstrations
The protests have also attracted student groups and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement.
The group began fresh demonstrations in Mumbai on October 2 and has called for further mobilisation. Reuters reported that the movement had previously participated in protests that contributed to pressure on the government over examination-related irregularities.
Thousands of people have also demonstrated in Bengaluru, according to AP, with protesters calling for Kumar to step down.
Election Commission rejects allegations
The ECI has rejected accusations of misconduct and political bias.
It says its decisions were taken unanimously and according to the law. The commission has also defended the voter-roll revision as an effort to identify fraudulent or ineligible registrations.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the government have similarly rejected the opposition’s allegations. BJP leaders have accused Congress and other opposition groups of politicising the electoral process.
Supreme Court examining the issue
India’s Supreme Court has also become involved in the controversy.
The court has sought explanations concerning decisions connected with the voter-roll revision. It previously allowed the nationwide exercise to continue while calling for safeguards to ensure eligible voters are protected.
Another hearing is expected next week, according to the Reuters report published by Geo News.
Political pressure on Modi government
The dispute represents another political challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which is facing sustained demonstrations over the voter-list revision.
For now, the central issue remains contested: opposition parties allege that the revision could disenfranchise legitimate voters, while the Election Commission says it is carrying out a lawful process to clean electoral rolls.
Further court proceedings and the publication of final voter lists are likely to determine how the dispute develops.
