Retired Officials Slam Congress Over ‘Vote Chori’ Claims Against EC

• 272 retired judges, bureaucrats, Army officers and diplomats issue open letter
• Rahul Gandhi accused of making “venomous rhetoric” against Election Commission
• Signatories call Congress’ stance “political frustration” after electoral defeats
• Urge respect for institutional credibility and democratic verdicts

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th Nov: A group of 272 retired judges, senior bureaucrats, former Army officers, and diplomats has criticised the Congress and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for levelling serious allegations of electoral misconduct against the Election Commission of India (ECI). In an open letter released on Wednesday, the signatories termed the claims under Congress’ ‘vote chori’ campaign as an “attempt to drape political frustration in the garb of institutional crisis”.

The letter’s signatories include 16 former judges, 123 retired civil servants, 133 ex-Army officials and 14 former ambassadors. They stated India’s democracy is facing “an assault… not by force, but by a rising tide of venomous rhetoric directed toward its foundational institutions”.

Rahul Gandhi, the letter noted, has repeatedly accused the poll body of working in collusion with the BJP and even claimed to possess “proof” of vote theft — but without filing any formal complaint backed by a sworn affidavit. His “atom bomb” remark was labelled as “unbelievably uncouth rhetoric”.

The statement said attempts to question the Armed Forces, the Judiciary, Parliament and now the Election Commission suggest a pattern of undermining institutions rather than accepting electoral verdicts. “This reflects what might be called ‘impotent rage’ — anger born of repeated electoral failure, without a concrete plan to reconnect with the people,” it stated.

The group argued that criticism of the ECI only emerges when results do not favour the opposition, while silence prevails when opposition-led governments are elected, terming it “selective outrage” and “opportunism”.

Referring to the legacy of former Chief Election Commissioners T.N. Seshan and N. Gopalaswami, the letter urged citizens to stand firmly with the Election Commission to preserve electoral integrity. It also called on the ECI to continue transparency and counter false narratives through legal means if required.

Countries across the world safeguard electoral rolls with strict measures, the letter observed, adding that India too must remain proactive to protect the sanctity of its voter lists.

The group concluded by urging political actors to present credible policy alternatives instead of “theatrics”, and to show grace in accepting democratic outcomes.