EC Rejects Rift Claims Over SIR Deliberations
The Election Commission has rejected suggestions of an internal rift over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, saying differences of opinion and written observations among Election Commissioners are a normal part of institutional decision-making.
EC Says Differing Views Are Part of Deliberation
The Commission responded after reports said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised written objections or queries on multiple occasions over the past 10 months.
The issues reportedly included aspects of the SIR process, electoral roll management and concerns surrounding greater centralisation of voter databases.
The EC acknowledged that operational queries and suggestions had been raised but said these occurred while proposals were still under consideration and before final decisions were taken.
Election Commission Denies Internal SIR Split
The poll body said written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks are standard practices within a multi-member constitutional institution.
It stressed that Commissioners as well as other officials are entitled to raise questions or recommend changes aimed at improving the electoral process and protecting voter rights.
The Commission also said highlighting individual observations without considering the larger number of decisions approved collectively could present an incomplete picture of its functioning.
EC Says Final Decisions Were Unanimous
The Election Commission maintained that official decisions concerning SIR and other electoral matters were ultimately approved by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi.
It said all final orders had been issued in accordance with Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory provisions and established Election Commission procedures.
The clarification comes amid continuing political and judicial scrutiny of the SIR process in several states, particularly over voter deletions, verification procedures and mechanisms available for affected voters to challenge electoral roll decisions.
