New Delhi, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Election Commission of India on Saturday sought to clarify the context of a letter written by its functionaries to the Cabinet Secretary amid reports of differences among the three-member poll panel over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The ECI said the letter was not related to any policy decision of the Commission or its IT division, but concerned the functioning of an officer deputed to the poll panel. It also said work redistribution orders issued by the officer were not implemented after directions from the two Election Commissioners, while oversight of the IT division by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was never withdrawn.
The clarification came after reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections over several decisions and had separately written to Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan. Reports had also cited their concerns over aspects of electoral-roll management and the functioning of the Commission.
The ECI has maintained that differences of view or suggestions raised during the drafting stage are part of the normal decision-making process and that decisions concerning SIR were taken unanimously by the full Commission. The three-member panel currently comprises Gyanesh Kumar, Sandhu and Joshi.
In its latest statement, the poll panel announced measures aimed at strengthening transparency in its internal functioning. It said agendas for all Commission meetings would be circulated in advance and minutes would be issued. It also directed that Annual Performance Appraisal Reports of officers be completed by December 31 each year and that approval of the full Commission be obtained for foreign travel by officers.
The ECI further said all directions issued by the Commissioners to officers would be complied with.
The clarification came amid a political controversy over the functioning of the Commission and its handling of SIR. Opposition parties have criticised the CEC and raised questions about the process, while the ECI has continued to maintain that its decisions have been taken collectively.
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