42 Retired Judges Defend Poll Panel, Warn of Threat to Public Trust

New Delhi, October 08, 2026 A group of 42 retired judges has issued an open letter defending constitutional institutions amid the ongoing political dispute over the Election Commission and the revision of electoral rolls. The judges expressed concern that repeated allegations against the poll panel, judiciary and other institutions could weaken public confidence in the democratic process. The former judges questioned allegations of “vote theft” made without supporting evidence and warned against repeatedly describing constitutional authorities as “thieves” or “compromised”. “We write because, in moments like these, silence is no longer a neutral choice. Our concern is grave. India's constitutional bodies are under sustained attack,” the letter read. It added, “The Election Commission of India stands at the centre of this assault. Even the higher judiciary which we hold in high esteem, and statutory agencies have not been spared.” The signatories also defended the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, describing it as a legally established exercise aimed at ensuring clean and accurate voter lists. “Trust is the currency of democracy,” the letter said, cautioning that attempts to delegitimise elections could erode public faith and create space for unrest. The judges further stated, “Criticism of institutions is a democratic right. Denigration is not.” The letter also raised questions over allegations concerning Electronic Voting Machines and the electoral process. “Allegations of "vote theft" are made at press conferences, not before courts. When the Commission seeks a sworn declaration, none is filed. Electronic Voting Machines are blamed only after defeat. Victories won on the same machines go unquestioned,” the judges wrote. They also criticised repeated legal challenges which, they alleged, are often not accompanied by sufficient evidence. The intervention comes as other judicial voices have raised concerns over the voter-list revision. Former Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman said people's right to vote “is at great peril” and described developments as “very, very disturbing things”. Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said any process that takes away the voting rights of a huge number of Indian citizens is “a negation of the constitutional order”, adding, “No authority can do it; no court can condone it.” The contrasting views have added to the wider debate over electoral rolls, institutional accountability and the protection of voting rights.