Indian authorities have tightened security across New Delhi ahead of planned protests on Saturday over alleged irregularities in voter lists.
The demonstrations call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign. Opposition parties and youth activists accuse the Election Commission of India (ECI) of conducting a controversial voter-roll revision that could disenfranchise eligible voters.
The commission says the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) aims to remove duplicate and ineligible entries. Critics, however, allege that the exercise could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Thousands of Security Personnel Deployed
More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the capital, according to Indian media reports.
Authorities have installed barricades on major roads and restricted access to Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site. Police have not authorised the planned rally there.
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Delhi Metro authorities have also been warned that entry and exit gates at 57 stations could close from Friday night until the situation returns to normal on Saturday. Reports also said authorities had cancelled some incoming trains at major railway stations.
The restrictions aim to prevent unrest during the demonstration. They have also raised concerns about disruption to transport and daily life in the capital.
Rahul Gandhi and Opposition Leaders to Meet President
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition figures have challenged the voter-roll revision.
Gandhi, the opposition leader in India’s parliament, was among several politicians briefly detained during protests earlier this week.
Opposition leaders are expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu to raise concerns about Kumar and the election commission’s handling of the revision.
The ECI has rejected allegations of wrongdoing. It says the revision remains a verification exercise and that voters whose names were wrongly removed can seek re-enrolment.
Youth-Led Movement Vows to Continue Protest
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a youth-led movement that emerged online in May, has called for mass mobilisation in New Delhi.
The group plans to march towards Jantar Mantar on Saturday despite the refusal of permission.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the protest would proceed. He also accused the authorities of trying to intimidate young demonstrators.
The movement has alleged that police detained supporters travelling to the capital. Reuters reported that police intercepted and detained some protesters in transit, although it could not independently verify all claims circulated by activists.
CJP activist Saurav Das accused Delhi Police of acting in the BJP’s interests. Police had not publicly responded to that specific allegation in the reports cited.
Dispute Over Voter Eligibility Intensifies
The controversy centres on the scale and impact of the voter-roll revision.
Reuters reported that the draft revision had flagged around 130 million voter entries nationwide. Opposition groups argue that the process risks excluding eligible citizens, particularly people who struggle to provide the required documentation.
The election commission maintains that the exercise targets duplicate, deceased and otherwise ineligible entries. It says the process is not yet final and that people can apply to have their names restored.
Saturday’s planned demonstration is the latest in a series of protests demanding accountability from the election commission. The dispute has intensified political tensions between Modi’s government and opposition parties over electoral transparency and voting rights.
