Forty-two former judges have come out in support of the Election Commission of India (ECI) amid intensifying Opposition protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In an open letter dated October 7, the former judges expressed concern over what they described as a sustained campaign to undermine the Election Commission, the judiciary and other constitutional institutions. They questioned allegations of “vote theft” made without what they considered sufficient evidence and warned that attacks on constitutional authorities could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
“Constitutional authorities are now branded ‘thieves’, ‘puppets’ and ‘compromised’ from public platforms,” the signatories said, adding that election officials had also faced public shaming and warnings of retaliation if political power changed hands.
The former judges argued that no court had established the allegations against the authorities as proven. They cautioned that efforts to discredit constitutional institutions could have serious consequences for the country’s democratic framework.
Former Judges Defend Special Intensive Revision
The letter also defended the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, describing it as a legally established exercise intended to maintain accurate voter lists and strengthen the electoral process.
The signatories warned against attempts to delegitimise elections, arguing that such campaigns could erode public trust and create conditions for unrest. They emphasised that confidence in electoral institutions remains essential to the functioning of a democracy.
Their intervention comes amid growing criticism of the SIR process, with Opposition parties alleging irregularities in voter list revisions and raising concerns over the deletion of eligible voters’ names. The Election Commission has maintained that the exercise is intended to identify and remove duplicate, deceased and otherwise ineligible entries.
Opposition Intensifies Protest Against Gyanesh Kumar
Opposition parties have stepped up their demonstrations, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the revision of electoral rolls and the functioning of the poll panel.
Congress and other INDIA bloc leaders have accused the Election Commission of failing to adequately address concerns over voter deletions and electoral transparency. The Opposition has maintained that protecting voting rights and ensuring the integrity of electoral rolls are central to the democratic process.
The protests have also brought the Election Commission’s role under renewed scrutiny, with opposition leaders calling for greater accountability and transparency.
The former judges, however, argued that allegations against constitutional authorities should be supported by evidence and pursued through appropriate legal channels rather than through public denunciations.
Debate Over Democratic Accountability
The contrasting positions have sharpened the national debate over the Election Commission’s independence, the legality of voter roll revisions and the right of political parties to question constitutional institutions.
While the former judges have called for restraint in public criticism and defended the electoral revision exercise, the Opposition continues to press for answers over alleged irregularities and the possible exclusion of eligible voters.
