Line of dissent: The Election Commission says highlighting certain internal memos only gives one side of the picture

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. File image: @ECISVEEP/X via PTI Photo

Reacting to reports of “illegal” decisions and dissent within the Election Commission of India (ECI), the election body said on Wednesday (23 September 2026) that all its actions were in accordance with relevant laws and guidelines. Highlighting “certain specific” internal notes or observations spread over a 10-month period while overlooking a much larger body of approvals, decisions, guidelines and initiatives provides only “one part of the picture”, the ECI said.

Also Read: CJP to take up ECI reforms issue as CEC Gyanesh Kumar faces flak

The election body was responding to revelations by the Indian Express, which claimed that two of the three election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had formally registered objections at least 14 times in 10 months, saying crucial decisions were taken on behalf of the entire election commission without their knowledge – several of which they called “unauthorized and illegal”.

ECI first issued a clarification of the report based on the source. “All decisions of the Election Commission of India, including the SIR (Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls), were unanimous and with the concurrence of both the Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner,” the clarification said.

“Questions raised are common practice”

A formal, written statement followed. “The Commission functions as a multi-member constitutional body. Written notes, observations, technical proposals and internal checks and balances are standard, ongoing procedures designed to ensure full transparency, legal compliance and operational rigor. All ECI’s actions have been in accordance with the laws and the Commission’s guidelines,” it said.

The statement said any operational questions or concerns raised by Commission members during the draft stages are part of standard administrative practice aimed at protecting voting rights. The commissioners’ proposals related to the further improvement of electoral processes, she added.

The inquiry body said that differing opinions and observations are a normal part of proceedings in any institution and are part of the decision-making process before a final decision is made. “Not only the three commissioners, but every official of the Commission is fully empowered to submit their proposals to the Commission to improve the electoral system,” the statement said.

A distorted image

Highlighting certain specific internal notes or observations spread over a 10-month period while overlooking a much larger set of approvals, decisions, guidelines and initiatives provides only one part of the picture, she argued.

In recent months, the Commission has adopted a number of decisions, issued guidelines, introduced around 40 new initiatives and implemented many electoral reforms, including conducting revisions of electoral rolls (including SIRs) across the country. All of these decisions are the result of unanimous decisions by the entire Commission last year, he said.

“All official orders, decisions and administrative instructions issued by the Commission shall carry full legal sanction and shall follow the prescribed statutory procedures under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Tenure) Act, 2023,” the statement said.

Red flags: centralized software, changes to Form 6

According to an Indian Express report, the two election commissioners flagged several key issues, including the changes made to Form 6, which is used for new voter registrations, and the gradual centralization of the electoral roll database. They warned that “centralized software now overrides Election Registration Officer (ERO) decisions and blocks eligible voters,” the report said.

In its response, the Commission said its digital platforms such as ECINet operate under strict data security protocols to prevent tampering and tampering. IT security controls and audit controls are standard cybersecurity measures implemented across national databases. Statutory authorities, including Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and District Electoral Officers (DEOs), operate under statutory powers for registration and deletion under the Act, the company said.

Published – 23 Sep 2026 14:29 IST