India deploys thousands of police ahead of election protest

India deployed thousands of police and paramilitary officers across the capital, New Delhi, on Friday, a day before planned protests to demand the removal of the election commission chief. The protests are in response to alleged voter-roll irregularities in the Election Commission of India's (ECI) recent "special intensive revision" of electoral rolls.

Critics allege the revision could disenfranchise voters to favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Opposition parties, including the main opposition Congress party, and critics have staged protests, with key leaders such as Rahul Gandhi participating. Gandhi and other opposition leaders are scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu later Friday to voice their concerns about the ECI chief, Gyanesh Kumar.

The ECI has dismissed the allegations of wrongdoing. Over 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the city to prevent potential unrest. Yellow metal barricades have been erected across key roads, restricting access to the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar. The Delhi Metro subway system has also been forced to close entry and exit gates at several stations to prevent large gatherings.

Despite these measures, the CJP movement has vowed to proceed with its "mass mobilisation" on Saturday, including a march to Jantar Mantar. CJP activist Saurav Das accused the Delhi police of acting like a "private militia" of the BJP, while the movement's chief, Abhijeet Dipke, vowed to march to Jantar Mantar "come what may."