Protests have erupted in India after authorities removed millions of names from the electoral voter roll, requiring them to show documents to prove they have the right to vote.
Over 130 million names have been cut, with opponents saying the move has disproportionately targeted India’s 200 million Muslims, who are unlikely to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
People have also reportedly been removed for being “dead”, even though they are still alive.
The move followed an order from the Election Commission of India, appointed by Modi, to clean India’s voter roll of duplicate, dead, and ineligible voters.
The poll body says the exercise identifies fraudulently registered voters and aims to prevent “foreign illegal immigrants” from casting ballots.
Critics say the drive has disproportionately affected marginalised and minority communities.
Millions appealing the decision are still stuck in court, denied their right to vote during the election earlier this year.
Members of Modi’s BJP have long claimed that large numbers of undocumented Muslim migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh have fraudulently entered India’s electoral rolls.
The Prime Minister and his party have been accused of anti-Muslim rhetoric and policy, particularly around elections, including using dehumanising or stereotyping language about Muslims, calling them “infiltrators” and suggesting they “have more children” in a way that implies a demographic threat to Hindus.
Protests demanding that election commission chief Gyanesh Kumar step down have grown since the report, with a demonstration in the capital, New Delhi, on Saturday expected to draw large crowds.
Opposition parties also say the commission is striking off legitimate voters to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party.
The Indian Express alleged last month that key decisions linked to the large-scale revision exercise were likely taken without approval from two of the three election commissioners.
The Election Commission of India (ECI), a constitutional body, has rejected the allegations. It says all its decisions were unanimous and legally valid.
The Supreme Court has ordered the government and election body to explain decisions linked to the voter-roll revision.
The court has also examined the legality of the revision exercise.In May, it allowed the election commission to proceed with the nationwide exercise, while calling for safeguards to protect eligible voters.
Another hearing is due next week.
The protests follow millions of students taking to the streets this summer in the “Cockroach Protests” over exam leaks, the nation’s high unemployment rate, and limited opportunities for its youth.
