India news: Delhi protesters turn up heat on election chief, police tightens security
Thousands are expected to gather in central Delhi to demand the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, over deletion of voters from electoral rolls. Follow live:
India's Election Commission Chief Gyanesh Kumar is facing mounting pressure from protesters who are demanding his resignation following a controversial revision of electoral rolls. The Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) led to the deletion of over 130 million voters across 30 states and union territories, sparking controversy and unrest.
The Election Commission of India (ECI), an independent body meant to oversee elections and related projects, has come under fire as critics claim Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP government has exerted influence over its operations.
The opposition argues that a disproportionate number of minority voters were struck off the list, suggesting the government is using the SIR exercise to secure future electoral wins. This allegation, however, has been dismissed by the BJP, which maintains that those removed were mostly dead voters and illegal infiltrators, thereby preserving India's democracy.
The controversy escalated after two of the three election commissioners raised concerns about the SIR process at least 14 times over the past 10 months. One of the commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, even accused the Election Commission of acting against written advice and claiming its actions were "unauthorized and illegal." Despite this, the Election Commission dismissed these concerns, stating that differing views are a "normal part of deliberations" and all actions are lawful.
Protesters, opposition members, and student bodies are expected to gather at the iconic Jantar Mantar grounds in central Delhi today, with over 130 million voters having been struck off the draft voters list. Authorities have tightened security measures, barricaded entry points, and imposed a prohibitory order under Indian law, prohibiting public meetings, assemblies, and speeches without permission.
The protests come just a day after Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, adding a layer of historical significance to the ongoing demonstrations.
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