India sees nationwide protests over voter list revision and calls for election chief's resignation

Protests have erupted in multiple Indian cities after opposition parties and civil-society groups demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstrators allege that the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists could exclude large numbers of eligible voters and advantage Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Election Commission and the government deny any political motive, saying the exercise is intended to remove duplicate or ineligible entries.

The SIR, which began in Bihar last year and has since expanded to most states and union territories, requires voters to provide documentation to confirm their eligibility. Critics argue that the documentation requirements are complex and may disproportionately affect poorer and vulnerable communities lacking older government records.

The protests are being led in part by the youth group known as "Cockroach," which previously organized street actions that led to the resignation of the education minister in July. Demonstrators are calling for Kumar's removal, an inquiry into his conduct, and a halt to the current revision, urging the use of existing voter lists for upcoming elections. They also seek reforms to make the appointment of election commissioners more independent and transparent.

"The revision could disenfranchise millions of voters and benefit the ruling party," said a spokesperson for the protest coalition.

Election Commission data suggest that voter rolls in some areas could shrink by up to 30 percent, heightening concerns about potential exclusions. Reports indicate internal dissent within the commission, with two of the three commissioners reportedly objecting to aspects of the revision, though the commission described the disagreements as part of normal deliberations.