Delhi opposition rally to demand election chief’s resignation and voter reforms

Tens of thousands of people are expected at an opposition rally in Delhi calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign and for electoral reforms. Led by the Congress party, the protest reflects mounting concern over a voter-list revision that opposition parties say could remove eligible voters and benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP; both the BJP and the Election Commission deny the allegations.

The Election Commission says the revision is intended to remove people who have died or moved, but 130 million names have been removed from draft rolls across India. A newspaper investigation reported that Kumar made key decisions without the agreement of the other two election commissioners, who had objected repeatedly. The rally is planned for Ramlila Maidan, with police imposing conditions including a 5pm finish and no marches beyond the site; thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed.