Opposition to launch nationwide protests over alleged voter-list manipulation

An alliance of India's opposition parties said on Wednesday it would launch protests to “save democracy” after a newspaper report said the Election Commission pushed large-scale voter-list changes despite two commissioners questioning the process.

The planned protests, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, include a march to the Election Commission office on October 6, a rally in New Delhi on November 1, and a representation to the president, the Congress said.

Opposition parties allege the rolls were manipulated to benefit the BJP; the Election Commission rejects the charges, saying “differences are normal” in any institution and all its actions were lawful.