India election roll overhaul sparks anger as key states vote

Millions of voters were removed from electoral rolls in India, sparking legal threats and protests as key states vote in local elections. A voter clean-up drive, criticized for potentially disenfranchising marginalized communities, has led to over 9 million exclusions in West Bengal alone. Voting is underway in Assam and Kerala, with results expected May 4. The Election Commission defends the process as necessary to remove ineligible voters, while opposition leaders accuse it of political bias. State elections are seen as a gauge of public sentiment.