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India's Gen Z 'cockroach' protesters call for election chief to resign
Overview
India's Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is planning a protest in Mumbai to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and call for electoral reforms following allegations of voter roll manipulation. The protests follow a media report revealing that two fellow election commissioners had formally objected to decisions made without their knowledge regarding a controversial revision of electoral rolls. While opposition parties have backed the demonstrations and demanded action, the Election Commission and the ruling BJP have defended their processes and rejected accusations of vote rigging.
Key points
- India's Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is organising a protest in Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- The protests follow an Indian Express report that two election commissioners objected at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions made without their knowledge.
- The controversy centres on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has removed 130 million names and drawn accusations of voter manipulation from opposition parties.
- The Election Commission defended its work, stating that differing views are part of the decision-making process and that decisions are unanimous.
- Opposition groups, including the INDIA alliance, have pledged support for the protests and plan their own demonstrations across the country.