Former judges from Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad signed a letter accusing a wave of online commentary of mislabeling the Election Commission as complicit in alleged vote theft. The letter points to a surge in social media posts that label EC officials as "thieves" and "compromised." It argues that repeating such charges without evidence undermines democratic trust.
The signatories emphasize that criticism of institutions is a democratic right, but denigration is not. They cite examples where unfounded claims sparked protests in Uttar Pradesh.
They defend the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls as a legally established exercise aimed at ensuring clean and accurate voter lists. According to the letter, the SIR has been conducted under the Election Commission (Amendment) Act, 2023.
The letter warns that delegitimizing elections could fuel unrest and embolden anarchic elements. A resident of Lucknow said the rumors have made him wary of voting.
The letter urges parliament to strengthen legal protections for the EC and to counter false narratives. Analysts predict that lawmakers may introduce a bill to reinforce the Commission’s independence.