New Delhi (HRNW)-\u00a0Protests have intensified across India over controversy surrounding voter-list revisions, with opposition Congress members demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in several locations.<\/p>\n
The demonstrations followed reports raising questions about the handling of electoral-roll revisions by the Election Commission of India. Congress and other opposition parties have alleged that voter lists were manipulated, while the Election Commission has rejected claims of unlawful conduct and said differences among its members are part of institutional functioning.<\/p>\n
According to Reuters, Congress supporters staged protests in multiple states on September 25, with police using tear gas and water cannons in some areas. Demonstrators called for Kumar\u2019s resignation and raised allegations concerning the removal or revision of voter records.<\/p>\n
The controversy gained further attention after The Indian Express<\/em> reported that two other election commissioners had raised concerns with Kumar on numerous occasions over the voter-list revision process. The Election Commission has said its actions remain within the law.<\/p>\n In New Delhi, protesters confronted police barricades while similar demonstrations took place in cities including Patna, Kolkata, Jammu, and Chandigarh. Several protesters were detained in some locations during the demonstrations.<\/p>\n The electoral dispute has also prompted the Election Commission to order a review of the software used in voter-roll changes, with an expert included in the committee examining whether the system complies with election laws and regulations.<\/p>\n The protests and continuing political debate have increased scrutiny of India\u2019s electoral-roll revision process, while the Election Commission and the ruling BJP maintain that the revisions are being conducted lawfully and oppose allegations that the process is politically manipulated.<\/p>\n