NEW DELHI: Indian security personnel, equipped with batons and shields and supported by riot control vehicles, surrounded the site of a planned opposition protest in Delhi on Sunday. The demonstration aims to demand the resignation of the country's election chief over a controversial revision of voter lists.
Authorities have warned of traffic diversions ahead of the protest march and rally, which will be led by Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi. The opposition expects hundreds of thousands of participants in what they describe as a major challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Opposition parties, student organisations, and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have held near-daily demonstrations since last month, demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyan Kumar step down. Critics allege the voter list revision unfairly favours the BJP.
The Election Commission has denied these claims, stating that wrongly deleted voters can re-enrol, while the BJP has accused its rivals of undermining democratic processes. Analysts suggest the youth-led protests and growing opposition support represent the most significant crisis for Modi since he assumed power in 2014.
However, his government remains stable, with the next general election not due until 2029. The opposition plans a 1.5 km (1 mile) march from Central Delhi to the Ramlila Maidan.
Visuals from news agency ANI showed security forces stationed outside the venue. Delhi Traffic Police stated that a large gathering is expected, and traffic regulations will be implemented as required.
Senior police officer Rohit Rajbir confirmed that security arrangements are in place for the march. The protests were triggered by an Indian Express report in September, which revealed that two deputies to the election chief had raised internal concerns regarding voter list revisions and digital systems.
The process resulted in the removal of over 130 million names from voter rolls, including 28 million deceased individuals, 63 million who relocated, and 30 million who could not be traced. Opposition parties allege these deletions disproportionately target Muslim voters and other minorities, a claim rejected by both the poll panel and the BJP.
As the march commences, the political atmosphere in the capital remains tense, with authorities maintaining a heavy presence to prevent any potential escalation of violence during the demonstration.