Thousands of youth protesters and opposition supporters rallied in Delhi and Mumbai on Sunday, demanding the resignation of India’s election commission chief over changes to voter rolls.

Reuters reported that police detained some demonstrators in New Delhi for a third consecutive day. Some protesters breached barricades and blocked vehicles carrying detainees.

Competing claims over voter lists

Opposition leaders and demonstrators allege that a nationwide revision removed millions of eligible voters in a way that benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party. The Election Commission and BJP deny that allegation.

The Election Commission says the exercise is intended to remove duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible entries. It directed officials Friday to restore eligible voters who were inadvertently omitted.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had not publicly responded to calls for his resignation when Reuters published its report.

More demonstrations planned

Opposition parties plan a march to the Election Commission office Monday, while a youth-led party has announced a larger rally for October 10.

The allegations about disenfranchisement have not been independently established. Delhi Police did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on claims of police brutality.

Source: Reuters, October 4.

Lead image: flag of India from Wikimedia Commons; not a photograph of the protests.