Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Election Commission Defends SIR Decisions Amid Dissent Controversy
India’s Election Commission manages elections and voter lists.
A newspaper report said two commissioners repeatedly raised concerns about decisions connected to changing voter lists.
The Commission said written objections and different opinions are normal before a final decision is made.
It said these suggestions were meant to improve election procedures and protect voters.
The Commission also said all final decisions over the past year were unanimous.
It said its orders followed the Constitution and election laws.
The Commission defended the security of its computer systems and the legal powers of local election officers.
Opposition politicians disagreed and accused the Commission of harming the election process.
The Election Commission said differing views, written notes and technical suggestions are normal parts of internal deliberations.
It said all official orders followed constitutional and statutory procedures, including the 2023 appointment law.
The Indian Express reported that Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision.
The Commission said decisions by the full body over the past year were unanimous and highlighted around 40 initiatives and electoral reforms.
Opposition leaders criticized the Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the electoral process and voting rights were being undermined.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India, including Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi; opposition leaders also responded.
- What
- The Commission defended its internal deliberations, legal procedures and handling of electoral-roll revision after reports of repeated objections by two commissioners.
- When
- September 23, 2026.
- Where
- India, including electoral-roll revision conducted across the country.
- Why
- The statement responded to an Indian Express report about internal objections linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the resulting political controversy.
Election Commission’s Defense
Report and Opposition’s Concerns
Meaning of internal objections
Election Commission’s Defense
The Commission said written notes, operational queries and differing views are routine safeguards used before final decisions and are intended to improve electoral processes.
Report and Opposition’s Concerns
The reported objections were presented as evidence of significant internal disagreement over decisions connected to the Special Intensive Revision, including voter-name deletions.
Validity of final decisions
Election Commission’s Defense
The Commission said its orders had full legal sanction, followed statutory procedures and reflected unanimous decisions of the full Commission over the past year.
Report and Opposition’s Concerns
Opposition leaders questioned the Commission’s conduct and alleged that the electoral process and citizens’ voting rights were being undermined.
Accountability of leadership
Election Commission’s Defense
The Commission reaffirmed its constitutional mandate, operational integrity and commitment to secure election systems.
Report and Opposition’s Concerns
Opposition parties called for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with some leaders demanding his removal and using allegations including treason.
- Constitutional basis
- Article 324 of the Constitution of India.
- Legal framework
- The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
- Reported objections
- The Indian Express reported at least 14 objections by two commissioners over 10 months, including objections concerning voter-name deletions.
- Commission position
- The Commission said full-Commission decisions over the past year were unanimous.
- Initiatives and reforms
- The Commission said it introduced around 40 initiatives and undertook electoral reforms, including electoral-roll revision and SIR.
- Digital security
- The Commission said platforms such as ECINet use data-security protocols, IT checks and audit controls.
- Local election authorities
- Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers continue to exercise statutory powers over voter registration and deletion.
Sources
Election Commission does not deny dissent exposé: ‘Differing views… normal part of deliberation’
'Fully Committed To Executing Constitutional Duties': Full Text Of EC Statement On SIR Row
EC reacts to report on ‘dissent’ in poll body—’decisions unanimous, differing views part of deliberations’
Differing views normal part of deliberation: EC
EC says differing views normal part of deliberations; all orders carry legal sanctions
