A credibility crisis

The Election Commission of India (ECI)’s decision to undertake a special drive to help those left out of the SIR and make changes in its functioning is clearly a response to the investigation by The Indian Express and the brickbats that followed from the Opposition. But it would be premature to see this as a change of heart. The ECI’s handling of various issues so far has raised serious questions about its independence and sensitivity to public concerns. As a constitutional body, it was expected to function with the fierce independence seen during T.N. Seshan’s tenure. Instead, a widespread perception prevails that it has become vulnerable to political pressures. As a septuagenarian voter who values honesty and sincerity, I find it deeply troubling that such independent institutions respond more to those in power than to the Constitution, their conscience and the collective will of the citizens.

V. Nagarajan,

Chennai

The reported dissent of two Election Commissioners over the functioning of the electoral-roll revision process raises serious questions about the working of the electoral machinery. Concerns over ERONet access, changes to Form 6 and the exclusion of eligible voters cannot be treated lightly. Yet, recording dissent alone cannot end the responsibility of constitutional functionaries. If such irregularities were considered serious, the Commissioners ought to have pursued the available institutional mechanisms to seek their resolution. Their failure to do so also raises questions about accountability within the institution entrusted with protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

Kanhaiya Pandey,

Giridih, Jharkhand

The exposure of 14 instances of objections to unilateral decisions concerning electoral rolls points to an assault on our democracy. However, a bureaucrat does not weaponise a constitutional body in a vacuum. There appears to be a conspiracy to engineer poll outcomes from behind the scenes. If constitutional institutions are compromised, those responsible must face legal consequences to restore trust.

R. Sivakumar,

Chennai