Gyanesh Kumar vs 2 ECs? Election Commission Says SIR Decisions Were Unanimous

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday responded to reports of objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over decisions linked to electoral-roll revision and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The Commission said internal notes, observations and differing views are a normal part of deliberations in a multi-member constitutional body, while maintaining that all final decisions were taken in accordance with law and established procedures.

The clarification comes after a report by The Indian Express said Sandhu and Joshi had formally raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a period of 10 months on matters related to voter registration, deletion and restoration of names, changes to Form 6 and electoral-roll management. The report has also triggered Opposition criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi Targets Gyanesh Kumar Over SIR Row (Video).

The Election Commission of India releases a press note:

1. The ECI is a constitutional body that functions under the strict mandate of Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory rules and established institutional conventions. The Commission operates as a multi-member… pic.twitter.com/IYERnKGC3q

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 23, 2026

ECI Says Internal Differences Are Part of Normal Deliberations

In its press note, the ECI said it is a constitutional body functioning under Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory rules and established institutional conventions. The Commission said it functions as a multi-member constitutional body and that written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks-and-balances are standard practices.

According to the ECI, these mechanisms are intended to ensure transparency, legal compliance and operational rigour. The Commission also said that operational queries or inputs raised by Commissioners during the draft stage are part of normal administrative practice and are aimed at safeguarding voter rights and improving electoral processes.

ECI Defends Gyanesh Kumar-Led Commission's Decisions

The poll panel said all official orders, decisions and administrative directions issued by the Commission carry legal sanction and follow statutory procedures under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. The ECI did not characterise the reported objections by Sandhu and Joshi as a breakdown in the functioning of the Commission. SIR Controversy: Gyanesh Kumar Faces Fresh Scrutiny as Opposition Cites 14 Objections by 2 Election Commissioners.

Instead, it said differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations before a final decision is taken. The Commission further said that not only the three Election Commissioners but every officer of the ECI is authorised to offer suggestions for improving the electoral system.

'SIR Decisions Were Unanimous'

A central point in the ECI's clarification was that the reported internal observations should not be viewed separately from the Commission's larger body of decisions. The poll panel said highlighting selected internal notes and observations over a 10-month period, while overlooking its wider set of approvals, decisions, instructions and initiatives, presents only "one part of the picture".

The ECI said it has introduced around 40 new initiatives and undertaken several electoral reforms in recent months, including electoral-roll revision exercises such as SIR across the country. It maintained that all these decisions were the outcome of unanimous decisions of the full Commission over the past year. ECI sources have separately reiterated that decisions related to SIR had the approval of CEC Gyanesh Kumar as well as both Election Commissioners.

What Were the Reported Objections by 2 Election Commissioners?

The controversy stems from the Indian Express report detailing objections reportedly recorded by Sandhu and Joshi. According to the report, their concerns covered several aspects of electoral-roll management, including the addition of new voters, deletion and restoration of names, changes to Form 6 and the functioning of technology used for electoral rolls.

The report also said the two Commissioners had raised concerns about certain decisions being taken without their knowledge and questioned aspects of the electoral-roll revision process. The reported objections have become particularly significant because the issues are connected to the SIR exercise, which involves the verification and revision of electoral rolls. The ECI, however, has maintained that the existence of internal observations does not mean that the final decisions of the Commission lacked collective approval.

ECI Defends ECINet and Voter Data Security

The Commission also addressed concerns relating to its digital platforms and electoral-roll databases. It said platforms such as ECINet operate under strict data-security protocols designed to prevent unauthorised tampering and manipulation. The ECI said IT security checks and audit controls are standard cybersecurity measures used across national databases. It further said statutory authorities, including Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers, continue to exercise their powers relating to voter registration and deletion under the law.

Opposition Targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar After Report

The ECI's clarification came as Opposition parties stepped up their criticism of CEC Gyanesh Kumar following the report about the two Election Commissioners' objections. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned what action Gyanesh Kumar had taken on the objections reportedly raised by Sandhu and Joshi. He also referred to a pending motion seeking the CEC's removal, saying Opposition MPs had submitted a notice in April 2026.

Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and KC Venugopal, also criticised the functioning of the Commission and raised questions about the SIR process. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called for the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the reported objections, while TMC leader Derek O'Brien called for the pending Rajya Sabha motion seeking Gyanesh Kumar's removal to be taken up.

CPI(M) MP John Brittas also demanded proceedings for the CEC's removal and called for judicial intervention in the SIR process. RJD MP Manoj Jha said concerns about electoral rolls raised from within the ECI needed to be addressed. These are Opposition allegations and demands. The ECI has rejected the suggestion that the reported internal observations demonstrate a lack of consensus, maintaining that its final decisions were unanimous.

ECI Reaffirms Constitutional Mandate

The Election Commission concluded its press note by reiterating its commitment to carrying out its constitutional responsibilities with integrity. The latest exchange has therefore produced two distinct positions. The reported internal notes by two Election Commissioners have prompted Opposition parties to question the functioning of the CEC and the SIR process, while the ECI says such observations are part of normal institutional deliberations and that its final decisions, including those concerning SIR, were approved unanimously.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2026 02:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).