Protesters demand election chief resign over voter list changes

Thousands of protesters gathered in New Delhi on Sunday to call for the resignation of the election chief, citing changes to voter lists that they claim benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party.

Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Indian National Congress, led the demonstration, which marks the latest in a series of protests over the revision of electoral rolls and the conduct of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Opposition parties allege the voter list revisions, which removed over 130 million names, disproportionately affected Muslims and other minorities not expected to support the BJP.

The Election Commission denied favoring any political party and stated voters whose names were wrongly removed may re-register.

The BJP accused opposition parties of undermining democracy by challenging what it calls legitimate electoral procedures. India’s next general election is scheduled for 2029.

Authorities increased security and announced traffic changes ahead of the protest, which moved from central New Delhi to Ramlila Maidan. Hundreds of police and riot-control vehicles were deployed around the rally site.