India Opposition Challenges Voter Roll Revision in Court

India’s opposition INDIA bloc marched to the Supreme Court on October 12 and filed a joint petition challenging alleged irregularities in a nationwide revision of voter rolls. Led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, the protest brought hundreds of supporters and party leaders into central New Delhi, where police had erected barricades and deployed security personnel. The petition challenges the removal of voter names and asks for safeguards against deletions without notice or hearings, according to accounts of the filing. It also seeks an independent audit and a temporary nationwide suspension of the revision. The Supreme Court proceedings are the latest stage in protests by opposition parties and youth groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. At Bhagwan Dass Road, police stopped the march. Some leaders climbed onto a vehicle as demonstrators crossed barricades and continued toward the court, according to reports from the scene.