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Police detained several protesters in New Delhi on Friday during a march over alleged deletions from India’s electoral rolls, Anadolu Agency reported.
The latest rally followed protests in the capital after a report last month said two election commissioners had raised concerns with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar about decisions concerning voter-list revisions in several states and federal territories. Protesters have demanded Kumar’s resignation.
Participants in a demonstration called by the “Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR” carried national flags and banners calling for an end to the electoral roll revision exercise.
The Election Commission has carried out special intensive revision (SIR) exercises in several states. Opposition parties allege that large numbers of voters have been removed from the rolls, while authorities deny the charge.
Protesters chanted slogans against Kumar and attempted to march to the office of the Election Commission of India. Local television footage showed Delhi Police personnel detaining demonstrators. Delhi Police had not issued a statement on the number of people detained.
The All India Students’ Association, a left-wing student organisation that joined Friday’s protest, said on the US social media company “X”: “We won’t let go of our right to vote and the right to protest for it! Our’s is a democratic country and we will ensure that spirit remains alive!.”
The Election Commission of India has said its actions “have been in accordance with laws and instructions of the Commission.”
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused opposition parties and “foreign powers” of trying to “destabilize the country.”
