The Election Commission of India (ECI) has formally responded to media reports alleging internal friction, asserting that all decisions made by the poll body over the past year have been unanimous. In a statement issued by Deputy Director P. Pawan, the Commission addressed claims that two election commissioners had formally objected to various administrative decisions.
"Differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution," the ECI stated, emphasizing that such discourse is a standard component of its decision-making process. The Commission argued that highlighting specific internal notes while ignoring the broader scope of its work provides an incomplete perspective. According to the ECI, the body has implemented approximately 40 new initiatives and successfully conducted nationwide electoral roll revisions, all of which were finalized through the consensus of the full Commission, which includes Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The ECI's response follows a report by the Indian Express, which alleged that Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi had recorded formal objections at least 14 times over a 10-month period. These reported objections reportedly included concerns regarding the centralization of electoral roll data and modifications to Form 6.
The report has intensified political scrutiny, with Opposition leaders demanding a detailed rebuttal to the specific allegations. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized the Commission, alleging that the body’s actions regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls were politically motivated. In a post on X, Gandhi stated, "Vote chori is a crime against the Indian people and a direct attack on our constitution. The BJP, RSS and EC who organised it have committed an act of treason. Justice will be served."
Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi offered a different perspective on the reported internal notes. Speaking to the news agency PTI, Quraishi noted that he had previously been critical of the two commissioners for their perceived silence regarding the SIR process. "I was still a bit hesitant, but now that we have the inside story of the two election commissioners. In fact I was critical of the two CECs over why they were keeping quiet," Quraishi said. He added that learning of their documented objections had improved his view of the commissioners, stating, "That is a good thing that they have gone up in my esteem, otherwise I was losing respect for them."
