India tightens security as opposition holds mega rally demanding election chief’s resignation
Also reported by BBC World
Summary
Indian opposition parties held a rally in New Delhi on November 1, 2026, demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign over voter-list revisions. The Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party deny claims that the changes favor the government; authorities said the changes removed more than 130 million names, including people who had died, moved, or could not be traced.Key Facts
- Police deployed personnel with batons, shields, and riot-control vehicles around the planned rally site in New Delhi.
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to lead a march of nearly 1.5 kilometers to Ramlila Maidan.
- Opposition parties said they expected hundreds of thousands of people to join the protest.
- The demonstrations began after a September report said two election officials had raised concerns internally about voter-list revisions, registration, and digital systems.
- The revisions removed more than 130 million names from voter lists, according to the article.
- The article says 28 million removed voters had died, 63 million had relocated, and 30 million could not be traced.
- Opposition parties allege the deletions disproportionately affect Muslim voters and other minorities; the Election Commission and BJP reject the allegations.
- India's next general election is not due until 2029.
