‘Differences are normal’: Election Commission defends decision-making amid dissent row

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 23, 2026: Amid a controversy over reported differences within the Election Commission of India (ECI), the poll panel on Wednesday defended its decision-making process, saying differing views are a normal part of institutional deliberations and that all decisions taken by the full Commission over the past year were unanimous.

“Differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution. They are a part of the decision-making process before a final decision is taken,” the ECI said in a statement.

The Commission said not only the three Election Commissioners but also its officers are authorised to offer suggestions aimed at improving the electoral system.

The statement came after The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on several decisions and alleged that some measures were implemented as decisions of the full Commission despite their reservations.

The ECI said focusing on specific internal notes and observations recorded over 10 months, while ignoring the larger number of approvals, decisions, instructions and initiatives, presented only part of the picture.

It said the Commission had taken numerous decisions, issued instructions, introduced around 40 new initiatives and undertaken electoral reforms, including electoral roll revisions and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across the country.

“All these decisions are an outcome of the unanimous decisions of the full Commission in the past one year,” it said.

The Commission also defended its IT systems and database management amid questions over the control exercised by its IT team. It said digital platforms such as ECINet operate under strict data-security protocols to prevent unauthorised tampering or manipulation.

“IT security checks and audit controls are standard cybersecurity measures implemented across national databases,” the ECI said, adding that statutory authorities, including Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and District Election Officers (DEOs), continue to exercise their powers relating to voter registration and deletion under the law.

The poll panel said written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks and balances were standard practices intended to ensure transparency, legal compliance and operational rigour.

It maintained that operational queries or inputs raised by Election Commissioners during the drafting stage were part of the normal administrative process and were aimed at safeguarding voter rights and improving electoral procedures.

The ECI reiterated that all its actions had been taken in accordance with the law and its instructions, and that official orders, decisions and administrative directions carried full legal sanction under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

“The Election Commission of India remains fully committed to executing its constitutional duties with complete integrity, recognising its vital role in advancing our democracy,” it said.