EC Says Decisions Were Unanimous After Report Claims Two Commissioners Raised Objections Over SIR

Sources in the Election Commission of India have rejected suggestions that differences had emerged among the poll panel's members over decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The clarification came after a report by The Indian Express claimed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions over the past 10 months regarding decisions and orders allegedly issued without their knowledge.

According to EC sources, however, decisions taken by the Election Commission, including those concerning the SIR process, have been made unanimously. The sources said both Election Commissioners and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were involved in and approved the decisions. The report has nevertheless triggered a sharp political reaction from Opposition parties, with several leaders demanding greater scrutiny of the functioning of the poll body.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien referred to the report in a post on X and renewed his demand for Parliament to take up a motion seeking the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. He said more than 60 Opposition MPs had earlier submitted a notice to the Rajya Sabha Chairman and argued that the matter should now be brought before the House.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also reacted to the report, urging the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the allegations. He argued that repeated objections by Election Commissioners, if established, would raise questions about whether members of the constitutional body were able to independently discharge their responsibilities.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal similarly alleged that the CEC did not enjoy majority support within the Commission. Referring to the reported objections by Sandhu and Joshi, Sibal questioned the decision-making process at the poll panel. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut also criticised the Election Commission, making allegations about its functioning and calling for action against the CEC. His remarks were part of a broader political attack on the poll body and its handling of the SIR exercise.

The controversy comes amid an ongoing political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Congress and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have repeatedly criticised the ECI's handling of the process, alleging that it could affect voters' rights. With the Opposition stepping up its criticism and the Congress expected to address the issue at a press conference, the controversy surrounding the reported disagreements within the Election Commission is likely to remain a major political issue.