India opposition parties hold mock impeachment of poll chief

India’s political opposition held a mock impeachment of the election commissioner on Saturday, in a protest against the revision of voter lists they claim could unfairly favor the ruling party. Across the country, the electoral roll revision has sparked disputes and demonstrations during the past month. The election commission maintains the changes are essential for precise voter lists; however, the opposition asserts it is being used to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Both the commission and BJP reject these allegations. The opposition convened at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi, replicating a parliamentary session and conducting a symbolic impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an act without constitutional weight. Kharge stated the motion aimed to protect the dignity of a constitutional body, emphasizing the need for impartial election commission functioning.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, echoing the stance, noted the opposition had no other recourse as “every single institution is closed for us.” The exercise took place a day before an opposition rally in Delhi, backed by the online youth movement Cockroach Janta Party, which also backs the voter roll dispute. Home Minister Amit Shah asserted the BJP was prepared to convene a special parliamentary session to address the issue, but opposition leaders refused to participate, instead opting for protests.