Election Commission Says Differing Views Are Normal After Report on Internal Objections

The Election Commission on Wednesday defended its internal working, stating that differing views are a routine part of deliberation in any institution and that its decisions over the past year were taken unanimously by the full Commission.

The statement followed a report that the two Election Commissioners had recorded objections to the poll body's steps 14 times over a 10-month period, amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In a detailed response, the Commission said it functions as a multi-member constitutional body under Article 324 of the Constitution, along with statutory rules and established conventions. It described written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks and balances as standard, ongoing practices meant to ensure transparency, legal compliance and operational rigour.

The poll body said all its official orders, decisions and administrative directions carry full legal sanction and follow procedures laid down under The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

It added that operational queries or inputs raised by members during the drafting stage are part of standard administrative practice aimed at safeguarding voter rights, and that such suggestions were intended to further improve electoral processes.

According to the Commission, differing views and observations form part of decision-making before a final call is taken, and not just the three Commissioners but every officer is authorised to offer suggestions for improving the electoral system.

The statement argued that highlighting specific internal notes spread over 10 months, while overlooking a much larger body of approvals, decisions, instructions and initiatives, presents only one part of the picture. It said the Commission has introduced around 40 new initiatives and undertaken several electoral reforms in recent months, including the conduct of electoral roll revision, including SIR, across the country — all of which, it said, were unanimous decisions of the full Commission in the past year.

The Commission also pointed to the recent successful conduct of major elections in Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal, saying this work involved extensive administrative and operational machinery along with numerous Commission approvals and instructions.

On data security, the poll body said its digital platforms, such as ECINet, operate under strict protocols to prevent unauthorised tampering or manipulation, and that IT security checks and audit controls are standard cybersecurity measures across national databases. It noted that statutory authorities, including Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers, exercise their powers for registration and deletion as per law.

The Commission said it remains fully committed to discharging its constitutional duties with complete integrity, recognising its role in advancing democracy.