The open letter penned by a group of 87 former civil servants to the Election Commission resonates with a profound sense of concern regarding the integrity of the electoral process in India. These distinguished individuals, part of the Constitutional Conduct Group, have highlighted troubling trends that jeopardize the fundamental principles of free and fair elections.
By S.B. Mazumder Their apprehensions are not unfounded. The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal amidst the fervor of election season raises questions about the timing and motivations behind such actions. The group rightly points out that coercive measures could have been deferred until after the conclusion of the electoral process, preventing any perception of political bias or interference. Similarly, the resurgence of old assessments by the Income Tax Department targeting opposition parties, coupled with the perceived lack of urgency in addressing other pressing issues, raises eyebrows. The group's skepticism regarding the impartiality and efficacy of central law enforcement agencies in such matters strikes a chord with many observers. Moreover, the concerns raised about the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the need for robust verification mechanisms like Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) are paramount. In an era where technology plays an inc