An alliance of opposition parties in India announced protests after a newspaper reported that the Election Commission implemented major voter-roll changes despite objections from two commissioners. The opposition alleges the revisions favored Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP; the Election Commission denies any wrongdoing, calling the differences normal and lawful. Protest actions include a march to the Election Commission on October 6, a rally in New Delhi on November 1, and calls for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Indian Opposition to Launch Nationwide Protests Over Alleged Voter-List Manipulation
Supporters of India’s main opposition Congress party attend a protest demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi, India, September 25, 2026. REUTERS/Bhawika Chhabra
NEW DELHI, Sept 30 (Reuters) — An alliance of India's opposition parties announced on Wednesday a series of protests to "save democracy" after a newspaper reported that the Election Commission pushed through widespread changes to voter rolls despite two commissioners raising concerns about the process.
Opposition leaders say the revisions appear to have been implemented to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). They are demanding accountability and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission of India has rejected the allegations, saying that differing views among commissioners are normal in any institution and that all actions taken were lawful.
Planned Protests And Political Response
The INDIA alliance — a coalition of roughly two dozen opposition parties, of which 20 attended Wednesday's meeting — approved a protest timetable that includes a march to the Election Commission office on October 6, a major rally in New Delhi on November 1, and a formal representation to the president, the main opposition Indian National Congress said.
"We are going to ensure that the people who have destroyed Indian democracy are punished," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi told reporters after the meeting.
The "cockroach" youth movement, whose street protests contributed to the education minister's resignation in July, has also called for Kumar's resignation and plans a protest on Friday.
Opposition leaders say their actions aim to highlight what they describe as a threat to the integrity of India's electoral process. The Election Commission maintains that its procedures were legal and that internal differences do not amount to wrongdoing.
(Reporting by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by YP Rajesh and Alison Williams)
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