Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc are marching to the Election Commission of India headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday to protest alleged manipulation of voter lists. The march, launched on September 30, is the centrepiece of a wider campaign that includes district-level marches from October 2 to 8 and a rally in Delhi on November 1.

The opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging large-scale deletions and irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. They have also demanded a return to ballot papers, claiming electronic voting machines cannot be trusted. The Election Commission has denied all the charges, calling them baseless.

The protest comes as six byelections are being held across three states and a Union Territory on Tuesday. The row over voter lists has become one of the sharpest political flashpoints ahead of upcoming state polls, with both sides accusing each other of undermining democracy.