India opposition parties plan Delhi rally demanding election chief's resignation
Tens of thousands are expected at Ramlila Maidan to protest voter-list revisions and call for CEC Gyanesh Kumar to step down.
At a glance
- Tens of thousands are expected at a Congress-led rally in Delhi on Sunday seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- The protest follows removal of 130 million names from draft voter rolls during a revision exercise criticised by opposition parties.
- Delhi police have approved the rally with conditions, including a 5pm end time and no marches outside the designated protest site.
Opposition parties in India are holding a large rally in Delhi on Sunday to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and to press for electoral reforms. The Congress party has organised the gathering at Ramlila Maidan, where leaders say as many as a million people could attend.
Dispute over voter rolls
The protest follows a voter-list revision exercise that has removed 130 million names from draft rolls across India. The Election Commission of India says the exercise is intended to update the rolls by removing people who have died or moved away. Opposition parties allege the process, known as the Special Intensive Revision, could help Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party by removing eligible voters. They have accused the Chief Election Commissioner and the BJP of "vote chori (theft)." Both the BJP and the Election Commission have denied the allegations.
The controversy grew after a September investigation by The Indian Express reported that Gyanesh Kumar made key decisions without the agreement of the two other election commissioners, who had raised objections more than a dozen times. The Election Commission said differences of opinion are normal and do not affect its functioning.
Police permissions and security
Delhi police have permitted the rally with conditions. Media reports say it must end by 5pm, CCTV cameras must be installed at the venue, and no marches will be allowed outside the designated protest site. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the city, including on roads leading to Ramlila Maidan.
Opposition leaders have accused the government of trying to stop people travelling to Delhi. Rahul Gandhi, the Congress MP and leader of the opposition, has urged people to attend in large numbers. Last month, he led tens of thousands of protesters from Connaught Place to the Supreme Court seeking the commissioner's resignation.
Traders in nearby Chandni Chowk are divided over the rally, with some saying it could hurt business during the festive season ahead of Diwali, while others have backed the protest.
Source: BBC World.
Questions and answers
- What is the Delhi rally demanding?
- Opposition parties are calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign and for electoral reforms.
- Why are opposition parties protesting the voter list revision?
- They say 130 million names were removed from draft rolls and allege the exercise could benefit the ruling BJP by removing eligible voters.
- What conditions has Delhi police set for the rally?
- The rally must end by 5pm, CCTV cameras must be installed at the venue, and no marches are allowed outside the designated protest site.
