Mass protests demanding poll chief resignation shake India for third day

What the report says

Thousands of protesters continued demonstrations across India for a third straight day on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Election Commission’s revision of voter rolls. According to Al Jazeera’s reporting, rallies took place in Mumbai and New Delhi, with opposition leaders and youth groups among those taking part. The protests began on Friday after criticism that the electoral roll update had removed millions of names from the lists.

Demonstrators allege the changes could weaken voting rights and help Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, claims that both the Election Commission of India and the BJP have rejected. In Mumbai, protesters carried Indian flags and were led by figures including Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray. In New Delhi, police detained some people as they tried to gather, continuing a crackdown that has included arrests and dispersals over the past two days.

The Election Commission says the revision is meant to remove duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible entries and improve the integrity of the rolls. It also ordered officials to restore eligible voters who were left out by mistake. Kumar has not publicly addressed the calls for his resignation. The protests matter because they highlight intensifying political tension over election administration and opposition claims about democratic safeguards ahead of future votes.

Al Jazeera also reported that opposition parties plan further demonstrations, including a march to the Election Commission office and another rally later in the month.