Former IAS, IFS officers defend Election Commission and SIR in an open letter
A group of 124 former Indian civil servants issued an open letter defending the Election Commission of India against allegations of vote-rigging. They argue that the electoral process is robust and that the Special Intensive Revision of rolls is a necessary administrative procedure.
Why it matters
It highlights the ongoing debate regarding the integrity of Indian democratic institutions and the role of retired officials in public discourse.
In an open letter, 124 former officials of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service and allied services defended the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while questioning allegations of vote-rigging “without credible evidence”.
Highlighting India’s transformation from “an era of booth capturing, ballot box stuffing and electoral violence”, the officials said today’s electoral system has “multiple layers of checks and safeguards, including polling agents, electronic voting machine (EVM) sealing, strong-room security, and VVPAT verification”. They cited Bihar’s 2025 Assembly elections, saying it recorded no re-polling and the highest voter turnout since 1951.
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