India opposition leaders briefly arrested in protest against election chief

Protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Police have briefly arrested several opposition legislators in New Delhi for trying to breach barricades during a protest march to demand the resignation of ⁠the election chief over a controversial revision of voter lists.

The march is the latest in a series of near-daily protests beginning last week led by student groups, opposition parties and India’s “Cockroach” youth movement.

“After failing multiple times, Congress leaders have decided to establish anarchy in ⁠the country and attack institutions,” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters before Tuesday’s protest.

India began its Special Intensive Revision of voter lists in Bihar last year before state elections. The exercise has since expanded to most states and federally administered territories.

Critics say the process requires documents that are confusing and difficult to obtain, risking the exclusion of millions of eligible voters. Election Commission data shows voter rolls could shrink by as much as 30 percent in some regions.