New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday said all decisions taken by the poll panel, including those relating to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, have been the outcome of unanimous decisions of the full Commission.
The clarification came amid reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several decisions related to electoral-roll management and SIR over the past 10 months.
In a statement, the ECI said it is a multi-member constitutional body functioning under Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory rules and established institutional conventions. It said written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks and balances are part of its regular decision-making process.
The Commission said all official orders, decisions and administrative directions carry legal sanction and are issued in accordance with statutory procedures under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
It added that operational queries and suggestions raised during the drafting stage are part of the institutional process and are intended to strengthen electoral procedures and safeguard voter rights.
“Differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution,” the ECI said, adding that officers at various levels are authorised to place suggestions before the Commission to improve the electoral system.
The poll panel said focusing on selected internal notes and observations over a 10-month period, while overlooking the larger body of approvals, decisions and instructions, would provide only “one part of the picture”.
According to the ECI, the Commission has taken several decisions in the past year, introduced around 40 new initiatives and undertaken electoral reforms, including electoral-roll revision and SIR. It reiterated that these decisions were approved unanimously by the full Commission.
The ECI also pointed to the conduct of major elections and election-related exercises in Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal during the period, which involved extensive administrative machinery and multiple Commission approvals.
On its digital systems, the Commission said platforms such as ECINet operate under strict data-security protocols, with IT security checks and audit controls designed to prevent unauthorised tampering or manipulation. Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers, it added, exercise their statutory powers for voter registration and deletion under the law.
The ECI said it remains committed to carrying out its constitutional responsibilities with integrity and to strengthening the electoral system.
