Politics · Malaysia Bureau
UN experts call on India to halt excessive force against protesters
United Nations human rights experts have urged India to end what they describe as excessive use of force against demonstrators protesting electoral irregularities. The call comes as opposition parties and student groups intensify nationwide protests demanding the resignation of the election commission chief.
LSN Malaysia ·
Protests have swept across India in recent weeks as opposition parties and student organisations rally against alleged irregularities in voter registration processes. Demonstrators have called for the resignation of the election commission chief, alleging that revisions to electoral rolls disproportionately favour the ruling party.
The UN experts' intervention highlights growing international concern over the handling of the demonstrations. Their statement underscores the importance of respecting fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression during periods of political tension.
India's election commission has previously defended its voter list revisions as routine administrative procedures aimed at maintaining accurate electoral records. The government has not yet responded to the UN experts' latest statement.
The protests reflect broader concerns about electoral transparency and fairness in Asia's largest democracy. Student groups and opposition figures have maintained that the voter list changes could potentially impact election outcomes by altering demographic and geographical voting patterns.