New Delhi : A group of 42 retired judges has issued an open letter warning against any attempts to undermine the Election Commission. The retired judges penned this letter amidst significant opposition protests directed at Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. They expressed deep concern over the ongoing campaign to allegedly weaken the Election Commission, the judiciary, and other constitutional institutions. The former judges also voiced their support for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, noting that the law empowers the Election Commission to undertake it; they pointed out that when the last SIR was conducted two decades ago, no questions were raised.

The signatories of the October 7 letter stated that they were writing in their capacity as former judges and retired holders of constitutional offices, and that they held no brief for any political party. While acknowledging that criticizing institutions is a democratic right, they alleged that constitutional functionaries were being branded as thieves, puppets, and compromised individuals without the allegations being proven in a court of law.

The retired judges and constitutional functionaries further alleged that certain activist groups were filing petitions without sufficient evidence and subsequently criticizing the judiciary when judicial verdicts did not go in their favor. They warned that such attacks risked eroding public confidence in the justice system. Regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the signatories maintained that this exercise was part of the constitutional and legal framework governing the conduct of elections. Citing Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, they stated that the Election Commission has the authority to modify electoral rolls and noted that intensive revisions have been conducted in the past as well.

According to the letter, the objective of this exercise was to remove the names of deceased individuals, duplicate entries, and voters who had relocated, while also ensuring that eligible citizens were included in the rolls. The signatories remarked that two decades of migration and urbanization had made the revision of electoral rolls essential. The letter further asserted that the Supreme Court has upheld the legality of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and recognized it as falling within the Election Commission’s mandate, noting that the process incorporates safeguards such as notices, hearings, objections, and appeals. It stated that this process advances the constitutional imperative of free and fair elections.

The retired judges also urged political parties to contest elections without making unsubstantiated allegations and to present their grievances backed by evidence—before the Election Commission and the courts. They called upon the media to investigate and verify allegations before reporting them and urged constitutional bodies to maintain transparency and address legitimate concerns.

Report : Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)