Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Election Commission Says SIR Decisions Were Unanimous After Rift Report
The Election Commission of India manages elections and voter lists.
It is carrying out a process called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
A report said two election commissioners raised objections to some decisions many times.
The reported concerns included new-voter forms, computer systems and voter-list procedures in West Bengal and Goa.
One issue involved adding a question to Form 6, which people use to register as voters.
Another involved who should be allowed to change information in voter databases.
The Commission said these comments were normal suggestions made before final decisions.
It said all final decisions by the three commissioners were unanimous.
Opposition leaders disagreed and said the report raised serious concerns about the Commission’s independence and work.
The Election Commission of India said all decisions by its full three-member panel over the past year, including those on SIR, were unanimous.
An Indian Express investigation reported at least 14 objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi between November 2025 and August 2026.
The reported concerns involved Form 6 changes, centralised access to electoral-roll databases, West Bengal appeals and software problems affecting 97 eligible Goa voters.
The ECI said written observations, technical suggestions and internal checks are normal parts of institutional deliberation, not evidence of a formal rift.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Derek O’Brien, criticised the Commission and called for accountability over the report and electoral-roll revision.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- The ECI rejected claims of an internal rift and said final decisions, including those concerning SIR, were unanimous despite reported objections.
- When
- The reported objections occurred between November 2025 and August 2026; the ECI issued its response afterward.
- Where
- The reported issues concerned the ECI’s electoral-roll systems and procedures, including cases in West Bengal and Goa.
- Why
- The response followed an Indian Express investigation reporting at least 14 objections by Sandhu and Joshi over 10 months.
Reported Concerns and Opposition Criticism
Election Commission Response
Internal disagreement
Reported Concerns and Opposition Criticism
The Indian Express reported that Sandhu and Joshi formally objected at least 14 times to decisions and orders linked to SIR, which Opposition leaders said raised questions about the Commission’s functioning.
Election Commission Response
The ECI said differing views, written notes and technical suggestions are normal parts of deliberation and do not establish a formal split or rift.
Form 6 changes
Reported Concerns and Opposition Criticism
The report said Joshi questioned whether Form 6 could be changed in the reported manner without corresponding changes to electoral rules, and that Sandhu supported the objection.
Election Commission Response
The ECI said its orders and administrative directions had legal sanction, followed statutory procedures and were approved unanimously by the full Commission.
Electoral-roll data access
Reported Concerns and Opposition Criticism
The report said the commissioners raised concerns about the gradual centralisation of electoral-roll databases and sought safeguards ensuring that only legally authorised officials could change voter records.
Election Commission Response
The ECI said ECINet and related digital platforms operate under strict security and audit controls, while Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers retain their statutory powers.
- Reported objections
- At least 14 objections were reportedly recorded by Sandhu and Joshi over 10 months, including four on one day.
- ECI position
- The Commission said all decisions taken by the full panel over the past year, including SIR decisions, were unanimous.
- Form 6
- The reported change added a question about whether an applicant, parent or grandparent appeared on a previous SIR electoral roll.
- Database systems
- ERONet and ECINet are used for electoral-roll-related work; the ECI said its digital platforms have security and audit controls.
- West Bengal
- Sandhu reportedly questioned the authority behind appeals seeking deletion of names retained after judicial scrutiny.
- Goa
- The report said 97 voters found eligible by Electoral Registration Officers could not be added to the final roll because of a software-related issue.
- ECI initiatives
- The Commission said it introduced around 40 initiatives and undertook electoral reforms during the past year.
Sources
"Unanimous Decisions Of Full Commission": Election Body On 'Dissent' Report
‘Differing views are normal’: EC responds to report on 14 objections, says key decisions were unanimous
‘Suggestions By Commissioners Aimed At Improving Electoral Process’: ECI Rejects Reports Of Internal Rift Over SIR, Says All Final Decisions Unanimous
Election Commission Says All Decisions Unanimous After Report Of Internal Dissent
