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Don’t Malign Constitutional Bodies Like the ECI: Venkaiah Naidu

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 10 Oct 2026 1 hour ago

Former Vice-President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu criticised political parties for resorting to street confrontations to malign the Election Commission of India (ECI), saying such actions were detrimental to democracy and did not serve the country’s interests.

Referring to the ongoing protests by opposition parties over SIR and vote chori allegations, Venkaiah Naidu said, “I feel that the way some people are trying to malign the Election Commission is not good and is not in the interest of the country or democracy. The Election Commission is a statutory body. There are ways and means to even impeach the Election Commissioner, but accusing him, abusing him, dragging his name into controversies, and then demanding his resignation through public rallies is not fair.”

He said any genuine concerns about the electoral process could be highlighted and discussed, but targeting a constitutional body was not appropriate.

“I personally feel the Election Commission is doing a good job. Indian elections are the largest exercise in the world. People praise the Indian electoral system. Our Election Commissions have also earned such a good name. If there is something wrong, that can be discussed. If they win an election, the Election Commission is good. If they lose an election, EVMs are bad, defective and pro-government. This sort of allegations is not fair,” he said.

He said such allegations were made by political parties at different times, depending on the outcome of the elections, he added.

Naidu said, ” We had elections in Bihar. Not even one voter has complained that his name has been deleted. Not even one. The experience shows. You have got a right to appeal further. But it is basically the duty of political parties and their agents and workers to go door to door, verify the voters’ list, complain if there are discrepancies, omissions or deletions, or if there is a need for additions. It is the duty of political parties to get it done,” he added and reiterated his faith in India’s electoral system.

“I have gone through this political system. The Indian electoral system is the best system. Singling out the Election Commission for everything is not good. The Election Commission has made a statement that all decisions are taken jointly. There may be differences of opinion sometimes. But in the end, the decisions are taken collectively. So, that being the case, singling out one person and then maligning him is not fair,” he said.

While acknowledging that citizens had the right to protest, the former Vice President said demonstrations must remain peaceful and should not involve violence or damage to public property. He also underlined the responsibility of governments to permit peaceful protests.

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