India's Supreme Court ordered the government and the national election body on Monday to explain decisions linked to a large-scale revision of voter rolls that prompted accusations of wrongdoing. Opposition parties and activists have organised protests and called for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, head of the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the revision had improperly removed millions of names from voter lists. Critics have accused Kumar of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
The ECI, the constitutional body responsible for conducting elections in the world's largest democracy, has rejected allegations of wrongdoing. On Monday, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued notices to the government, the ECI and Kumar after hearing petitions challenging decisions linked to the voter list revision. Another hearing is expected to be held next week. One of the petitions sought a probe into ECI records to determine whether its decisions complied with constitutional requirements.
Protests have been held across several cities since a report last model by The Indian Express, which said two of the ECI's three members had formally objected at least 14 times to key decisions linked to the voter roll revision. 'Newspaper reports may be 100% correct, partially correct or incorrect. We cannot pass an order on that basis today. We would definitely want their response,' broadcaster NDTV quoted the bench as saying.
The ECI says the revision exercise, which started last year, is intended to identify fraudulently registered voters and prevent illegal immigrants from voting. Critics say the drive has disproportionately affected marginalised and minority communities, especially Muslims. Main opposition parties have announced nationwide rallies, and police have maintained a heavy presence around protest areas in New Delhi as demonstrations continue.