'We, the Citizens, are Watching': Ex-Judges, Economists, Activists Ask Opposition to 'Step Up' Amid EC Revelations
New Delhi: A group of retired judges, economists, rights activists, professors, and other prominent citizens have written an open letter to the opposition parties of India, asking them to “step up” and remember their constitutional responsibility. They have demanded that the opposition does its job to ensure the citizen’s vote “remains worthy of trust in every election that follows”.
“Treat the issue as a constitutional/institutional matter, not merely a party-political fight,” read the letter, signed by 32 citizens.
The signatories have said that the opposition should, in light of the investigative reports on the election commission’s mismanagement, make the case around the integrity of India’s electoral institutions and every citizen’s right to vote, and not simply around whether the poll body is helping or hurting one particular party.
“The Appointment of the CEC needs a transparent unbiased procedure; you as a collective must be on the forefront – in Parliament and on the streets – in resisting and reversing any process that excludes any rightful voter, and; ensure the electoral process delivers, at every instance, ONLY the People’s Mandate,” they said, reminding the opposition that the issues raised concerns every citizen about whether they can have confidence in the machinery through which they exercise their vote, and keep this democracy alive.
Placing a list of six demands, the signatories have asked the opposition parties to defend the vote and not merely their party, and insist the government to put on record the evidence. They demanded the opposition to change the way it functions at present with “fragmented and sporadic reactions” and establish a common democratic minimum.
“We the People cannot wait until the next election to challenge the electoral rolls, voter deletions, technology or institutional independence. We are at a very critical juncture and the present moment provides an opportunity to establish and take a firm stand on permanent democratic safeguards, rather than merely respond to the controversy of the day – not just in Parliament but also on the street,” they noted.
They also said that the elected opposition is expected to be proactive, organised and evidence-driven, showing commitment in providing a judicial outcome that is in the interest of the people. They must ensure sustained parliamentary scrutiny and follow up, “including the tabled impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner”.
“The citizen is not a spectator. The Opposition is not a saviour. The Constitution, institutions and citizens are the centre of this democratic system. We, the citizens, are watching. We recognise that you have a constitutional role. We expect you to fulfil it – and we intend to hold you accountable for how you do so,” they wrote.
The signatories demanded that as the elected opposition, the parties must “oppose opacity. Oppose arbitrary exercise of power. Oppose the evasion of every legitimate questions. Oppose the weakening of institutional accountability – irrespective of who is responsible. Stand with the citizen whose vote must count.”
Signatories:
1. Justice Ajit Prakash Shah, ICJ Commissioner and former Chief Justice of Delhi High
Court
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Justice Hariparanthman (Retd.), Madras High Court
M G Devasahayam IAS (Retd), Coordinator, Citizens Commission on Elections
Anjali Bhardwaj, Satark Nagrik Sangathan
Dr. Parakala Prabhakar, Eminent Economist and Political Analyst
Prof. Ganesh Devy, Cultural Activist
7. Nikhil Dey, MKSS8. Prakash Raj, Actor, Activist
9. Lalitha Ramdas, Non-violence and Peace Activist
10. Prof Arun Kumar, Eminent Economist
11. Aakar Patel, Columnist
12. Tara Rao, Wake Up Karnataka, All India People’s Mission (AIPM)
13. EAS Sarma, IAS (Retd), Former Secretary to Government of India
14. Dr P V Ramesh, Special Chief Secretary (Rtd) Andhra Pradesh
15. Teesta Setelvad, Citizens for Justice and Peace
16. Surendra Nath, IAS (Retd), Former Secretary to Government of India
17. Amitabha Pande, IAS (Retd), Former Secretary to Government of India
18. Amrita Johri, Satark Nagrik Sangathan
19. Kamal Malhotra, Former Representative of UN Secretary General in Vietnam, Turkey &
Malaysia
20. Avay Shukla IAS (Retd), Former Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Himachal
Pradesh
21. Koninika Ray Ronesh, NFIW
22. Rahul Mukherjee, Professor Dr. Chair, Department of Political Science, South Asia
Institute, Heidelberg University
23. Madhav Deshpande, Computing Technology Expert
24. Ashok Sharma, IFS (Retd), Former Ambassador to Finland and other countries
25. A Suneetha, All India Feminist Alliance
26. John Dayal, Editor and Activist
27. Dr. Santosh Mehrotra, Eminent Economist
28. Henry Tiphange, Human Rights Defender
29. Prof N Manu Chakravarthy, Retd Prof, Bangalore University
30. Franco Thomas, Former Secretary, All India Bank Officers Federation
31. Dinesh Abrol, All India People Science Network
32. K Ramachandra Murthy, Former Editor, Andhra Jyothi & Sakshi Newspapers
For our full coverage on the SIR and the issues it has brought to citizens, click here.
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