Why India’s tens of millions of voter deletions have led to widespread protests
Summary
India’s voter verification drive has triggered nationwide protests after opposition parties alleged that 130 million names were deleted from electoral rolls to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP. The controversy has become a major political flashpoint ahead of key state elections, with demonstrators demanding the removal of Election Commission chief Gyanesh Kumar.
Key Points
- India’s voter verification exercise has sparked protests after opposition parties alleged the deletion of 130 million names from electoral rolls unfairly helped Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
- Opposition parties and youth groups are demanding the resignation of Election Commission chief Gyanesh Kumar and plan a major protest in Delhi.
- The Election Commission says the deletions are routine and based on death, relocation, duplication or inability to trace voters, and denies any political bias.
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