Opinions may vary, final decisions unanimous: EC downplays dissent report

The Election Commission on Wednesday sought to downplay the reports of dissent within the three-member panel over the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying individual views expressed by Election Commissioners do not constitute decisions of the Commission. Sources said all decisions of the Commission, including those related to the SIR, were taken unanimously with the approval of all three Election Commissioners.

"While any or both Election Commissioners, or the Chief Election Commissioner, may have individual opinions on any matter, all decisions of the Election Commission of India, including the SIR, have been taken unanimously and with the approval of both Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner," Election Commission sources told India Today TV.

The clarification came after an Indian Express report claimed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected to decisions and orders issued during the SIR exercise on at least 14 occasions over the past 10 months.The report sparked a major political row, with Opposition parties seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention.

Responding to queries on the report, EC sources said the two Election Commissioners had indeed flagged issues relating to the deletion of names in various states during the electoral roll cleanup, as well as matters concerning the handling of the voter database. However, sources maintained that these instances should not be construed as dissent within the Commission over the SIR.

The sources also stressed that all decisions of the Election Commission were taken unanimously and with the approval of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and both Election Commissioners.- EndsPublished By: sharangee Published On: Sep 23, 2026 12:02 IST