Forty-two former judges have raised concerns over what they termed a sustained campaign aimed at undermining the Election Commission, the judiciary and other constitutional institutions.
In a strongly worded open letter, the signatories said they were not acting on behalf of any political interest and had chosen to speak out because “silence is no longer a neutral choice”. They alleged that constitutional institutions were being subjected to attacks motivated by political interests and cautioned that such actions could erode public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
The letter cited Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which empowers the Election Commission to revise electoral rolls at any time. Earlier reporting noted: 42 Former Judges Write Open Letter, Warn Against Vote Theft Allegations 42 Former Judges Write Open Letter, Warn Against Vote Theft Allegations 42 Former Judges Write Open Letter, Warn Against Vote Theft Allegations Earlier reporting noted: The retired judges have expressed grave concern over the ongoing campaign to undermine the Election Commission, judiciary and other constitutional institutions.
The exercise is intended to eliminate the names of deceased voters, duplicate entries and individuals who have moved to another location, while ensuring that all eligible citizens are included in the electoral rolls, according to the former judges. They have questioned allegations of “vote theft” without supporting evidence, warning against repeatedly branding constitutional authorities as “thieves” and “compromised”. The former judges also alleged that election officials had been publicly identified and threatened with reprisals in the event of a change in government. They further pointed out that no court had found the allegations against constitutional authorities to have been established. It also noted that intensive revisions of electoral rolls have been carried out repeatedly since the first general elections.
Earlier reporting noted: The letter included sharp jabs at the Congress and the Cockroach Janata Party, which are at the forefront of the agitation, without naming either.
The former judges also questioned allegations of “vote theft” that they said had been made without supporting evidence. They objected to constitutional authorities being publicly labelled as “thieves”, “puppets” and “compromised”. Denigration is not,” the letter said. They said decades of migration and rapid urbanisation had made the correction of electoral rolls necessary, stressing that “a clean roll protects every genuine vote”. To citizens, they said: “Verify the facts before acting on them.
“Criticism of institutions is a democratic right. Do not let anyone convince you that your vote is meaningless. Your vote is your voice, and it matters.”
