Opposition parties in the INDIA bloc will march to the Election Commission office in New Delhi today, October 6, to protest against what they allege is large-scale manipulation of voter lists. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The march is part of a wider "Save Democracy" campaign announced by the bloc. Leaders have alleged that names of genuine voters were deleted and bogus entries added in several states, and they have demanded a return to ballot papers. The Election Commission has rejected the charges and said voter-roll revisions follow due process.

After today's march, the bloc plans a major rally in Delhi on November 1 and a Bharat Bandh on November 15 to keep pressure on the poll body. The campaign is expected to run through the winter session of Parliament.

The ruling BJP has dismissed the protests as an attempt to discredit a constitutional body after electoral setbacks. With Bihar elections also in motion, the fight over voter rolls is set to remain a central political flashpoint in the coming weeks.

Sources: indianrepublic.in; reuters.com; sowetan.co.za.