ECI / 124 Former IAS, IFS Officers Defend ECI and SIR; Say Vote Rigging Allegations Must Be Backed by Evidence
·3 hours ago·3 min read
Key Points
A group of 124 former IAS and IFS officers defended the ECI and its SIR of electoral rolls, arguing that allegations of vote rigging must be backed by credible evidence.
New Delhi, Oct 10: A group of 124 former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers has defended the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, arguing that allegations of vote rigging must be backed by credible evidence.
In an open letter addressed to citizens, the former civil servants warned that repeated claims of electoral fraud without proof could undermine public trust in democratic institutions.
The letter comes amid Opposition protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls. Several Opposition leaders, including four former chief ministers, were detained by police on Saturday while attempting to join demonstrations in Delhi.
The signatories said their experience in conducting and studying elections had given them an understanding of both past electoral malpractice and the safeguards in place today.
In an open letter addressed to citizens, the former civil servants warned that repeated claims of electoral fraud without proof could undermine public trust in democratic institutions.
The letter comes amid Opposition protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls. Several Opposition leaders, including four former chief ministers, were detained by police on Saturday while attempting to join demonstrations in Delhi.
The signatories said their experience in conducting and studying elections had given them an understanding of both past electoral malpractice and the safeguards in place today.
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“We belong to no party. We write because one word, ‘rigged’, is now thrown at our elections without evidence, and every repetition wounds democratic trust that belongs to all of us,” the letter said.
Former Officers Cite Electoral Safeguards
The officers recalled an era marked by booth capturing, ballot-box theft, violence and voters being prevented from casting their votes.
“We know what a rigged election looks like. We served in those days you know only from films: the katta at the booth, the bahubali’s men, ballot boxes stuffed or stolen, voters turned away,” the letter stated, adding that Parliament criminalised booth capturing in 1989.
Defending the current electoral system, they cited safeguards including polling agents, the sealing of electronic voting machines (EVMs), strong-room security and verification through voter-verified paper audit trails (VVPATs).
According to the letter, candidates’ agents can observe polling and receive signed accounts of votes cast. EVMs are sealed in their presence, while strong-room arrangements allow candidates and their representatives to monitor the machines before counting.
“Rigging would need the silence of tens of thousands of officials from governments of every political colour, and of the losing parties’ own agents. No such conspiracy has ever been proved,” the officers said.
Former Officers Cite Electoral Safeguards
The officers recalled an era marked by booth capturing, ballot-box theft, violence and voters being prevented from casting their votes.
“We know what a rigged election looks like. We served in those days you know only from films: the katta at the booth, the bahubali’s men, ballot boxes stuffed or stolen, voters turned away,” the letter stated, adding that Parliament criminalised booth capturing in 1989.
Defending the current electoral system, they cited safeguards including polling agents, the sealing of electronic voting machines (EVMs), strong-room security and verification through voter-verified paper audit trails (VVPATs).
According to the letter, candidates’ agents can observe polling and receive signed accounts of votes cast. EVMs are sealed in their presence, while strong-room arrangements allow candidates and their representatives to monitor the machines before counting.
“Rigging would need the silence of tens of thousands of officials from governments of every political colour, and of the losing parties’ own agents. No such conspiracy has ever been proved,” the officers said.
Bihar Election Cited As Example
The former officers cited the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that the state recorded no re-polling for the first time in its history and its highest voter turnout since 1951. They also pointed to record participation by women.
They attributed these outcomes to electoral safeguards and monitoring rather than assuming that officials were beyond scrutiny.
The letter also referred to the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision upholding the existing VVPAT verification framework as part of its argument that the electoral process contains multiple checks.
‘A System Cannot Be Honest When You Win And Rigged When You Lose’
The signatories questioned the tendency to challenge electoral credibility primarily after unfavourable results.
“If the system you call rigged is the same one that handed you your victories, ask yourself whether it is the system you doubt, or only the result,” the letter said.
Also Read: BJP Wins Eight, SP Bags Two Rajya Sabha Seats Unopposed in Uttar Pradesh
They also argued that the Election Commission’s multi-member structure was designed to prevent excessive concentration of power in one individual.
“The Election Commission was made a multi-member body, a design the Supreme Court upheld in 1995, so that no one person holds such power,” the officers wrote.
The letter concluded with a warning against making allegations without sufficient evidence, arguing that such claims could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
“A system cannot be honest when you win and rigged when you lose,” the former civil servants said.
The former officers cited the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that the state recorded no re-polling for the first time in its history and its highest voter turnout since 1951. They also pointed to record participation by women.
They attributed these outcomes to electoral safeguards and monitoring rather than assuming that officials were beyond scrutiny.
The letter also referred to the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision upholding the existing VVPAT verification framework as part of its argument that the electoral process contains multiple checks.
‘A System Cannot Be Honest When You Win And Rigged When You Lose’
The signatories questioned the tendency to challenge electoral credibility primarily after unfavourable results.
“If the system you call rigged is the same one that handed you your victories, ask yourself whether it is the system you doubt, or only the result,” the letter said.
Also Read: BJP Wins Eight, SP Bags Two Rajya Sabha Seats Unopposed in Uttar Pradesh
They also argued that the Election Commission’s multi-member structure was designed to prevent excessive concentration of power in one individual.
“The Election Commission was made a multi-member body, a design the Supreme Court upheld in 1995, so that no one person holds such power,” the officers wrote.
The letter concluded with a warning against making allegations without sufficient evidence, arguing that such claims could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
“A system cannot be honest when you win and rigged when you lose,” the former civil servants said.