Indian opposition will march to urge Election Commission chairman to step down, Delhi tightens security

(Central News Agency, New Delhi, comprehensive foreign news report on the 1st) The Indian Election Commission's revision of the electoral roll has caused controversy. The opposition is scheduled to hold a protest in Delhi today to demand the resignation of the election chief. Indian security personnel and riot control vehicles armed with batons and shields have been deployed around the planned protest site.

Reuters reported that the opposition has announced that it will march nearly 1.5 kilometers from central Delhi today to Ramlila Maidan, the designated protest rally site. Authorities reminded the public to pay attention to traffic diversions.

The rally will be led by Congress Party leader Rahul. Led by Rahul Gandhi, the opposition said it expected hundreds of thousands of people to attend, saying it would pose a major challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Since last month, opposition parties, student organizations, and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have held demonstrations almost every day, demanding the resignation of Election Commission Chairman Gyanesh Kumar over the revision of the electoral roll. Critics alleged that the amendment would benefit the BJP.

The Election Commission denies favoring any political party and says voters who have been wrongly expelled can re-register. The Bharatiya Janata Party accused its opponents of improperly questioning legitimate electoral procedures and attempting to undermine democracy.

Analysts say youth protests and growing support for the opposition pose the most serious crisis since Modi took power in 2014. However, his government remains stable and the next general election will not be held until 2029.