INDIA delegation meets Droupadi Murmu over election commission concerns

An INDIA opposition bloc delegation met Indian President Droupadi Murmu on October 9 to raise concerns about the Election Commission and its chief, Gyanesh Kumar.

The meeting was scheduled for 8 p.m. local time. Beforehand, The Times of India reported that bloc leaders intended to submit a representation about the commission's functioning and the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls. The president's secretariat requested a delegation of no more than ten people.

The Week confirmed that the meeting took place. It reported that the opposition submitted a memorandum seeking Gyanesh Kumar's removal over its allegations of vote manipulation. Those allegations reflect the opposition parties' position.

Before the meeting, protesters marched from Parliament towards the presidential residence. Police stopped them at Vijay Chowk, where they staged a sit-in. The presidential meeting formed part of INDIA's continuing campaign over the electoral process.