Delhi Braces for Mass Opposition Rally Demanding Election Chief’s Resignation

Indian security forces deployed batons, shields, and riot control vehicles around the planned protest site in Delhi on Sunday, as opposition parties prepared for a major demonstration calling for the resignation of the country’s chief election commissioner over a disputed revision of voter rolls.

Authorities issued traffic advisories ahead of the march and rally led by Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi. Opposition organizers anticipate hundreds of thousands of participants in what they describe as a significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Opposition parties, student organizations, and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have staged near-daily demonstrations since last month demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar step down. Critics allege the voter list revision benefits the ruling BJP.

The Election Commission has denied any partisan bias, stating that incorrectly removed voters can re-register, while the BJP has accused its rivals of attempting to undermine democracy by challenging legitimate electoral processes.

Analysts suggest the youth-led protests and growing opposition momentum represent the most serious crisis for Modi since he took power in 2014, though his government remains stable with the next general election not due until 2029.

Opposition parties have announced a roughly 1.5-kilometer march on Sunday from central Delhi to Ramlila Maidan, the designated rally ground.

Footage from news agency ANI showed riot control vehicles and dozens of security personnel armed with batons and shields positioned outside the rally venue, where loudspeakers urged attendees to maintain smooth traffic flow and cooperate with police.

Delhi traffic police warned of a “large gathering” at the venue and said traffic regulations and diversions would be implemented as needed.

“People have started coming to participate in this rally … we have ensured proper arrangements at the venue, and arrangements are also planned on the route of the march that will happen in a few hours from now,” senior police officer Rohit Rajbir told ANI.

The protests demanding Kumar’s resignation erupted after the Indian Express newspaper reported in September that his two deputies had internally raised concerns about voter list revisions, registration procedures, and digital systems.

The overhaul, which began last year, removed over 130 million names from voter rolls, including 28 million deceased individuals, 63 million who had relocated, and 30 million who could not be traced.

Opposition parties allege the deletions disproportionately affect Muslim voters and other minorities unlikely to support the Hindu nationalist ruling party—allegations the poll panel and BJP reject.

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