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I.N.D.I.A. Plans Nationwide Protests Over Alleged Vote Theft
The I.N.D.I.A. opposition alliance says some elections may have involved stolen or manipulated votes.
It plans protests across India starting October 2.
The alliance will organize marches in districts and several large rallies.
Opposition lawmakers also plan to march to the Election Commission on October 6.
The group wants Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign or be removed.
It also wants electronic voting machines replaced with paper ballots.
Opposition leaders may ask the Supreme Court to examine election-related issues.
They say these actions are needed to protect democracy and the Constitution.
The I.N.D.I.A. bloc announced a nationwide movement against alleged “vote theft” beginning October 2.
The alliance plans five major rallies in October and November, including one at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
Opposition MPs will hold district protests from October 2 to 8 and march to the Election Commission headquarters on October 6.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal and a return to ballot papers.
The bloc may approach the Supreme Court over electoral-roll revision, alleged malpractice and a 2023 law granting immunity to the CEC.
- Who
- The I.N.D.I.A. opposition alliance, involving leaders from 20 parties, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
- What
- The alliance announced nationwide protests and rallies over alleged vote theft and demanded action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Where
- The protests will take place nationwide, including a planned march to the Election Commission headquarters and a rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan.
- When
- The movement begins October 2; district protests are planned through October 8, with a major rally scheduled for November 1.
- Why
- Opposition leaders say alleged electoral manipulation, electoral-roll issues and other actions threaten India’s democracy and Constitution.
Key facts
- Movement begins
- October 2
- District protests
- October 2–8
- Planned parliamentary march
- October 6, to the Election Commission headquarters
- Major rally
- November 1 at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan
- Parties represented
- Leaders from 20 parties attended the meeting
- Election demand
- Removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and replacement of electronic voting machines with ballot papers
- Possible legal action
- The alliance is expected to petition the Supreme Court over electoral issues and provisions of a 2023 law granting CEC immunity
Quotes
Mamata Banerjee
Trinamool Congress chief
“We are not going to take it lying down, and we are going to ensure that the people who have destroyed Indian democracy are punished. It doesn’t matter who they are. Indian democracy is bigger than every single person in the country”
deccanchronicle.com
“If Gyanesh Kumar does not resign, we people will launch a massive movement from ‘mitti to aasmaan’ (from the ground to the sky). We will fight, we will win... We will protect democracy and the Constitution”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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