'Rigged when you lose?' 124 ex-officials defend EC & SIR, challenge vote chori claims
A group of 124 former government officials has issued an open letter defending the Election Commission of India and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. They argue that allegations of vote rigging lack evidence and emphasize the robustness of current electoral safeguards.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing debate regarding the integrity of India's electoral institutions and the polarization between state officials and political critics.
NEW DELHI: A group of 124 former IAS, IFS and allied services officers has issued an open letter to citizens defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, arguing that allegations of vote rigging must be backed by credible evidence.Citing safeguards in the electoral process, past election results and data from Bihar’s 2025 Assembly polls, the signatories have challenged claims questioning the credibility of the EC and the need for SIR.The officers said India's electoral system had evolved significantly from an era marked by booth capturing, ballot-box stuffing and electoral violence.
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