Key Takeaways
- Thousands of police deployed in New Delhi ahead of planned protests.
- Protests demand the Election Commission chief step down over alleged voter-roll irregularities.
- Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu.
New Delhi is preparing for a day of protests as thousands of police were deployed across the capital on Friday, a day before planned demonstrations. The protests, organized by opposition parties and youth-led movements, aim to demand the resignation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) chief, Gyanesh Kumar, over alleged voter-roll irregularities.
The ECI, a constitutional body responsible for conducting elections, has rejected any wrongdoing, stating that the 'special intensive revision' of electoral rolls is aimed at removing duplicate and ineligible voters. However, opposition parties and critics argue that the exercise could disenfranchise voters to the benefit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A wave of street protests, including in New Delhi, have seen key leaders from India’s main opposition Congress party, such as Rahul Gandhi, leading the charge. Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in parliament, and other opposition leaders were briefly detained during rallies this week, highlighting the intensity of the protests.
More than 20,000 police and paramilitary officers have been deployed in the capital ahead of the protest, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. Yellow metal barricades have sprung up across key roads in the city centre, restricting access to the government-designated protest site of Jantar Mantar, as AFP reporters observed.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical political movement that emerged online in May, has called for a 'mass mobilisation' in New Delhi on Saturday, including an intended march to Jantar Mantar. The CJP claims that its volunteers and supporters are being detained by police ahead of the planned demonstration, though police have not responded to these allegations.
Protesters, including from the CJP movement, are calling for mass rallies in New Delhi on Saturday. The ECI has rejected any allegations of wrongdoing, stating that the exercise is intended to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. However, opposition leaders are expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu later on Friday to complain about the ECI chief’s handling of the situation.
The deployment of such a large number of police forces underscores the potential for unrest and the government’s commitment to maintaining order. The protests are expected to continue, with the opposition and youth-led movements vowing to push for change in the electoral process.
