India’s election body faces growing protests

Summary

• India’s election authorities are facing mounting pressure as protests grow over a nationwide revision of voter lists and allegations of misconduct within the country’s election commission.
• Opposition parties have accused the election authorities of removing legitimate voters from electoral rolls.
• The court has sought explanations from the government and election authorities over aspects of the voter-list revision.

AI Generated Summary

India’s election authorities are facing mounting pressure as protests grow over a nationwide revision of voter lists and allegations of misconduct within the country’s election commission.

The controversy intensified after reports alleged that key decisions related to the voter-roll revision may have been made without the approval of all three election commissioners. The Election Commission of India has rejected the allegations, insisting that its decisions were taken unanimously and in accordance with the law.

Opposition parties have accused the election authorities of removing legitimate voters from electoral rolls. They claim the exercise could disproportionately affect minority and marginalised communities and potentially benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.