India's election commission orders review of voter-roll changes
The Election Commission of India ordered a review of its voter-roll software on Saturday after a newspaper reported that its chief had been questioned by his deputies over changes to voter lists that excluded millions of voters. Opposition parties have claimed the lists have been manipulated to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Election Commission of India…
On Saturday, the Election Commission of India announced plans to review its voter-roll software following a newspaper report claiming that its chief had been questioned by his deputies regarding changes to voter lists that omitted millions of voters. Opposition parties suspect that the lists have been tampered with to favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Indian Express newspaper revealed that two election commissioners had raised concerns or questioned Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at least 14 times over a 10-month period, primarily concerning the process of updating voters' lists that commenced last year. The opposition and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have called for Kumar's resignation. The Cockroach Janta Party threatened nationwide protests on October 2 if Kumar did not step down by Saturday.
In response to the allegations, the Commission declared that a committee headed by a senior election official and comprising an independent technology expert would assess whether the software adhered to election laws and rules. Additionally, local officials would visit voters flagged for discrepancies instead of the usual requirement for them to visit government offices.
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