CHENNAI: Former judges of the Madras high including Justices G M Akbar Ali, Aruna Jagadeesan, D Hariparanthaman, P R Sivakumar, S Vimala and C T Selvam and Anjana Prakash from the Patna high court on Monday wrote an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu and chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar “to protect the electoral democracy of India”.
In the letter, the Judges “sought the attendance of top five esteemed Justices of the Supreme Court in the court to respond to any constitutional crisis that may arise due to the present situation.”
Referring to the events that happened in the recent weeks, the judges said, “There was genuine concern about the way in which the General Election 2024 was conducted by the ECI.”
“We, former high court judges, having no affiliation to any political party, but strongly committed to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution of India, and to the values of electoral democracy, write this open letter from a deep anguish at the recent and present goings on with regard to the parliamentary elections-2024,” Judges said.
The judges expressed concern over the ECI’s refusal to disclose the exact numbers of votes cast in each booth of every constituency, its refusal to make form 17(C) of the Conduct of Election Rules available to the public and the minimal action taken against hate speeches targeting minorities and opposition parties by senior leaders of the ruling party.
They demanded immediate intervention by the Supreme Court by ensuring the presence and attendance of the top five SC judges even during the period of the ongoing summer vacation and be available to respond in the event of any constitutional crisis that might emerge in the present situation.
“We hope that our apprehensions are wrong and the elections will end smoothly with counting of votes and declaration of results done in a fair and honest manner and formation of parliament as well as transition of power taking place as per the mandate of the people,” they said.
In the letter, the Judges “sought the attendance of top five esteemed Justices of the Supreme Court in the court to respond to any constitutional crisis that may arise due to the present situation.”
Referring to the events that happened in the recent weeks, the judges said, “There was genuine concern about the way in which the General Election 2024 was conducted by the ECI.”
“We, former high court judges, having no affiliation to any political party, but strongly committed to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution of India, and to the values of electoral democracy, write this open letter from a deep anguish at the recent and present goings on with regard to the parliamentary elections-2024,” Judges said.
The judges expressed concern over the ECI’s refusal to disclose the exact numbers of votes cast in each booth of every constituency, its refusal to make form 17(C) of the Conduct of Election Rules available to the public and the minimal action taken against hate speeches targeting minorities and opposition parties by senior leaders of the ruling party.
They demanded immediate intervention by the Supreme Court by ensuring the presence and attendance of the top five SC judges even during the period of the ongoing summer vacation and be available to respond in the event of any constitutional crisis that might emerge in the present situation.
“We hope that our apprehensions are wrong and the elections will end smoothly with counting of votes and declaration of results done in a fair and honest manner and formation of parliament as well as transition of power taking place as per the mandate of the people,” they said.