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ECI Says September 26 Press Note Was Never Taken Down
The Election Commission says a September 26 note is still on its website.
The note explained some changes to voter forms and documents collected by election officials.
The Commission says all its members approved the note.
The Supreme Court is also considering a case about whether the chief election commissioner can exercise powers on his own.
A petitioner argued that the Commission’s credibility and legal rules were at stake.
The court asked the government, the Commission and its members to respond.
It said it would first need reliable information about the claims.
The court also said decisions should be unanimous when possible, and disagreements can be settled by a majority.
Election Commission sources said the September 26 press note remains available on its website and was never taken down.
The note modified certain Form 6 terms for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and directed Booth Level Officers to collect additional notice-related documents from voters’ homes.
The Election Commission said the note had the approval of the full Commission and reflected decisions made at its September 26, 2026 meeting.
The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the ECI and the three Election Commissioners over a challenge to how the poll panel’s powers are exercised.
The court said decisions could be annulled if later found unlawful; it also said commissioners should seek unanimity, with disagreements resolved by majority.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India, the Centre, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the Supreme Court; the petition was presented by senior advocate Vikas Singh.
- What
- The ECI denied removing its September 26 press note, while the Supreme Court issued notices on a petition questioning how the Commission’s powers are exercised.
- Where
- New Delhi; the press note is available on the ECI website.
- When
- The court hearing and ECI statement were reported on Monday; the press note was issued on September 26, 2026.
- Why
- The petition questions whether the Chief Election Commissioner can individually exercise or represent powers vested in the multi-member Commission.
Petitioner’s concerns
ECI and court responses
How Commission powers are exercised
Petitioner’s concerns
Petitioner’s counsel argued that the Chief Election Commissioner was acting contrary to the statutory framework and questioned whether he could exercise or represent the Commission’s powers individually.
ECI and court responses
The court sought responses from the Centre, the ECI and the three Election Commissioners, saying it first needed authenticated information and could annul a decision if found unlawful.
September 26 press note
Petitioner’s concerns
Claims had been made that the ECI had removed the press note from its website amid protests.
ECI and court responses
An ECI source said the note remained available and had never been taken down; the Commission’s note said it had full-Commission approval.
Interim decision rule
Petitioner’s concerns
Vikas Singh asked the court to require unanimous ECI decisions until the next hearing.
ECI and court responses
The bench said commissioners were expected to reach unanimous decisions, but unresolved matters should be decided by majority.
Key facts
- Press note date
- September 26, 2026
- ECI position
- An ECI source said the press note was available on the website and had never been taken down.
- Press note scope
- It modified certain Form 6 terms for SIR and directed BLOs to collect additional notice-related documents from voters’ homes.
- Court action
- The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the ECI and the three Election Commissioners.
- Petition issue
- Whether the Chief Election Commissioner can individually exercise or represent powers vested in the multi-member poll body.
- Decision-making
- The bench said commissioners were expected to decide unanimously; if they do not, the matter is decided by majority.
Quotes
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court bench hearing the petition about the exercise of Election Commission powers.
“Let's first have authenticated information on that (the allegations). We can always annul any decision.”
thehansindia.com
“The September 26 press note is available on the ECI website. Was never taken down.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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