Delhi Police Tighten Security Ahead of Protests Against Election Chief

Authorities deployed about 5,000 security personnel and erected multi-layer barricades across central New Delhi on Friday to prevent unauthorized demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The security push came after opposition parties, civil society groups and student organizations called for protests near Jantar Mantar.

Officials halted passenger movement at 11 Delhi Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat, to restrict public access toward the protest area. Rapid Action Force units, reserve police and paramilitary forces set up road blocks on Sansad Marg, Janpath Road and Tolstoy Marg. Police reported that no permission had been granted for the assembly.

Demonstrators organized by groups including the All India Students' Association, the Indian Youth Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party sought Kumar's resignation and prosecution. Organizers said the commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls caused improper deletions of eligible voters. Similar demonstrations erupted in multiple Indian states, where police used water cannons and barricades against marching crowds.

The political dispute grew following reports that two other election commissioners had repeatedly raised internal concerns about revision procedures and centralized registry data. Critics alleged the voter list revisions favored the ruling party.

The Election Commission has defended its work. The poll panel stated that internal debates are part of standard administrative operations and that all formal decisions regarding the roll revision were approved unanimously. It said the verification effort aims solely to eliminate duplicate, deceased and ineligible entries.

Opposition leaders announced plans to escalate the campaign with additional district-level demonstrations and a proposed march toward the commission headquarters on Oct. 6.