New Delhi — Former Election Commissioners have raised concerns over the way Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegation of “vote chori” during the recent elections.

According to them, the Election Commission should have acted promptly and directly engaged with the political leader instead of allowing the controversy to escalate in public. They pointed out that timely communication with Gandhi could have clarified the matter and avoided a situation where doubts were cast on the credibility of the electoral process.

The “vote chori” charge — a claim suggesting manipulation or malpractice in the conduct of polls — triggered strong reactions across the political spectrum. While the Election Commission issued a formal statement rejecting the allegations, critics felt the approach was defensive and delayed.

Ex-Commissioners suggested that the current leadership should revisit practices followed in the past, where any complaint from a major political leader was handled swiftly and with personal outreach. “The institution’s strength lies not just in rules but also in perception. Maintaining public trust requires proactive engagement,” one former official noted.

The episode has sparked debate about the Election Commission’s communication strategy at a time when electoral integrity is under intense scrutiny. Analysts believe that the controversy could influence future reforms on how the poll body addresses criticism from political parties.