EC defends internal debates amid SIR controversy
The Election Commission has issued a detailed response to reports that two of its commissioners had objected to several decisions during discussions surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The statement followed a report claiming that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on 14 occasions over a period of 10 months.
The Commission said disagreements, technical suggestions and written observations are a routine part of institutional decision-making.
It stressed that the Election Commission is a multi-member constitutional body operating under Article 324, statutory provisions and established procedures.
According to the poll panel, draft-stage questions and recommendations are intended to strengthen electoral procedures and protect voters’ rights.
The Commission said final orders and directions carry legal authority and are issued under the relevant statutory framework.
It also argued that focusing on individual internal observations without considering the wider set of approvals and decisions could give an incomplete picture of its functioning.
The Commission said it had introduced around 40 initiatives and undertaken a range of electoral reforms during the past year. It maintained that decisions of the full Commission during this period had been unanimous.
It also referred to the conduct of elections and election-related exercises in Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal.
On its technology systems, the Commission said platforms such as ECINet operate with security controls designed to prevent unauthorised access or manipulation.
It added that Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers exercise their statutory powers in matters involving voter registration and deletion.
The Commission concluded that it remained committed to carrying out its constitutional responsibilities and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.