ECI says all decisions, including SIR, were unanimous; rejects report of dissent by Election Commissioners

New Delhi, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected a media report claiming that two Election Commissioners had formally objected to several decisions of the poll panel, saying that all decisions, including those related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, were taken unanimously.

The clarification came after The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on 14 occasions over a 10-month period on various decisions and processes of the poll panel. The report said the objections concerned issues including the handling of electoral data, addition of new voters and deletion of names from electoral rolls.

ECI sources, however, said that the two Election Commissioners had made observations on certain matters, which were subsequently examined by the Commission, but that no formal dissent had been recorded on the decisions taken by the poll body.

Sources said all decisions of the ECI carry the signatures of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The Commission currently lists Kumar, Sandhu and Joshi as its three members.

“ All decisions of the Election Commission of India, including SIR, have been unanimous and with the approval of both the Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner,” an ECI source said.

The sources also pointed to the legal framework governing the Commission, under which a majority view can prevail when the three-member panel does not reach unanimity.

The ECI’s clarification comes amid a political dispute over the SIR exercise, which involves the revision and verification of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns about the process and alleged that it could result in eligible voters being excluded. The ECI has maintained that the exercise is intended to ensure the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.

Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal, referring to the Indian Express report, alleged that it showed the majority was not with CEC Gyanesh Kumar and accused him of taking decisions arbitrarily.

The ECI has rejected such allegations and maintained that decisions concerning SIR were taken with the approval of all three members.