Security forces in Delhi have stepped up preparations ahead of a large opposition protest planned for Sunday, where demonstrators are expected to demand the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration is centred around controversy over recent revisions to the voter lists, which critics say have unduly favoured the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Authorities have deployed personnel equipped with batons and shields and positioned riot control vehicles near the protest site at Ramlila Maidan, where a rally will follow a nearly 1.5-kilometre march through central Delhi. Traffic diversions have been announced in preparation for the expected crowds, with Delhi traffic police advising commuters of possible delays. Senior police official Rohit Rajbir said arrangements have been put in place both along the march route and at the rally venue to maintain order and facilitate smooth traffic flow.

The protest will be led by Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, and is anticipated to mobilise hundreds of thousands of participants. Opposition parties, student groups, and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have engaged in near-daily demonstrations since last month, all demanding Kumar’s resignation in response to the voter list revisions.

The controversy surrounding the electoral roll changes intensified after an investigation by the Indian Express newspaper revealed internal objections from two of Kumar’s deputies. They reportedly raised concerns about the accuracy of the voter list revisions, registration procedures, and related digital systems. Since last year, more than 130 million names have been removed from the voter lists, including 28 million deceased individuals, 63 million people who relocated, and 30 million who could not be traced.

Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of disproportionately removing Muslim voters and other minorities from the rolls—groups less likely to support the Hindu nationalist BJP. The poll panel, however, has denied any bias, asserting that any wrongly omitted voters can re-enrol. The BJP has labeled the opposition’s allegations as attempts to undermine India’s democratic processes.

Political analysts have noted that the ongoing protests and increasing backing for the opposition pose the most significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he assumed office in 2014. Despite this, Modi’s government remains stable, and the next nationwide election is not scheduled until 2029. The developments underscore rising political tensions in Delhi as the opposition seeks to capitalise on growing public dissatisfaction related to electoral transparency and governance.