NEW DELHI: Indian authorities tightened security on Sunday ahead of an opposition march against controversial changes to voter lists, as political parties and youth groups renewed demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to lead the demonstration, with organisers expecting hundreds of thousands of participants.
The gathering centres on allegations that the electoral revision unfairly benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusations rejected by election authorities.
Police carrying batons and shields were stationed outside Ramlila Maidan, alongside vehicles equipped for riot control. Authorities warned that large crowds could disrupt traffic across central Delhi.
Opposition organisers announced a march of approximately 1.5 kilometres to the rally venue.
Police said arrangements covered both the gathering and its route, while officials urged participants to cooperate with security personnel and maintain traffic movement.
The demonstration follows weeks of protests involving opposition parties, student organisations and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party.
The protesters accuse the Election Commission of overseeing a revision process that risks excluding eligible citizens.
The commission denies political favouritism and says voters whose names were wrongly removed can apply for registration again. BJP representatives have accused opposition leaders of undermining confidence in legitimate electoral procedures.
Congress has also announced outreach efforts to contact affected voters and help them secure re-enrolment.
The party has presented the Delhi rally as part of a broader campaign challenging the revision exercise and demanding greater electoral accountability.
Election Commission figures cited by the BJP indicate that approximately 130 million names have been removed during the verification exercise, which began last year.
The figures include around 28 million people recorded as deceased, 63 million classified as having relocated, 30 million considered untraceable and 10 million duplicate entries. These rounded categories total approximately 131 million.
Electoral Trust Takes Centre Stage
Sunday’s mobilisation brings the dispute over voter eligibility into the capital’s streets, placing electoral transparency at the centre of the opposition campaign.
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While organisers portray the rally as a significant challenge to Modi, its political impact remains uncertain. The government remains stable, and India’s next general election is scheduled for 2029.
