Indian opposition protests against elections chief over voter rolls

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 08:02 · Archive

India's opposition parties staged fresh protests on Sunday demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over a contentious voter roll review.

India's opposition bloc INDIA staged protests in New Delhi on Sunday, led by Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi and backed by the youth 'Cockroach' movement, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration drew thousands of supporters from multiple opposition parties, who carried musical instruments and flags while chanting slogans against government policies.

The protest centred on a contentious voter roll revision process. Critics say the ongoing review, which has removed more than 130 million names since last year, is politically motivated and threatens to disenfranchise millions more. The exercise has disproportionately affected minorities, particularly Muslims, according to opponents.

Authorities deployed thousands of police and paramilitary soldiers and mounted extensive surveillance, with more than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras at the protest venue and along the route. The gathering took place at Ramlila Maidan, a large public square in New Delhi, after police withdrew Jantar Mantar, the capital's historic main protest site, from the list of officially designated demonstration venues last month. The protest came weeks after police crackdowns on earlier demonstrations.

How it is being reported

• Indian opposition parties stage new protest against the elections chiefIndia’s opposition parties have renewed calls for the resignation of the country’s elections chief, staging fresh protests in the latest display of public dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.News4Jax · 1 Nov, 07:34
• Indian opposition parties stage new protest against the elections chiefIndia’s opposition parties have renewed calls for the resignation of the country’s elections chief, staging fresh protests in the latest display of public dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.Clickorlando · 1 Nov, 07:34

In this story: India · Rahul Gandhi · Congress party · Gyanesh Kumar · New Delhi · Prime Minister Narendra Modi · Ramlila Maidan

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