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 and the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's removal.

Responding to queries on the report, EC sources said the two 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.

"Since the brain is human, not a computer, differences in opinion are natural. But by coordinating and reaching consensus, things move forward," the EC sources said.

The sources also stressed that all decisions of the Election Commission were taken unanimously and with the approval of the Chief Election Commissioner and both Commissioners.

The sources also said differences of opinion were a natural part of the democratic process. "However, over the past 14 months, there have been hundreds of instances where, despite initial differences, consensus was eventually reached and several reform measures were undertaken. This consensus is reflected in hundreds of confidential documents signed by all three Commissioners," the sources pointed out.

Commission sources also denied allegations of any central interference in the system, saying there is a single system for the entire country into which all Electoral Officers feed data. They said no complaints of interference have been received so far, despite officials having different ideological leanings, the sources added.

According to the Indian Express report, though the nationwide SIR was being conducted under the supervision of all three Election Commissioners, but Sandhu and Joshi had formally objected on record at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and orders which they said had been issued without their knowledge. The report said four objections were raised on a single day.

The EC sources, while not denying that the two commissioners had raised issues on electoral-roll-related matters, disputed the suggestion that such individual objections amounted to dissent over the SIR.

OPPOSITION SEEKS GYANESH KUMAR'S REMOVAL

Opposition parties reacted sharply to the report of dissent within the Election Commission, questioning the poll panel's functioning and demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Opposition alleged that Kumar had "destroyed" the credibility of the Election Commission.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, reiterating his allegations of "vote chori", said it was a direct attack on the Constitution and alleged that the "BJP, RSS and the Election Commission, who organised it, have committed an act of treason."

Sharing a video of Rahul Gandhi criticising the Election Commission in Parliament, the Congress said in a post on its official X handle, "BJP and the Election Commission are colluding to destroy our democracy and rob people of their voice."

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh also shared the report and alleged that "the CEC has destroyed the credibility and integrity of the Election Commission of India."

Congress MP Manish Tewari alleged that if the ostensible facts as reported are correct, then it seems to suggest that there is an "invisible hand" running the Election Commission."If rules were not allegedly followed and decisions were taken that were not unanimous or by the majority, then all the decisions of @ECISVEEP are per -se arbitrary and capricious if not completely illegal," Tewari said on X.

Calling it an "extremely serious" matter, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said the revelations "directly means that all Election Commissioners are not able to perform their rightful duties" and he urged the Supreme Court to take note.

"For some people to betray democracy by becoming puppets of those in power is a grave constitutional crime. This is nothing less than a conspiracy to wipe out democracy. Honourable Supreme Court, take suo motu cognisance!," he wrote.

TMC Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien also joined the Opposition’s attack, saying it was time to move a parliamentary motion seeking the removal of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner.

"Five months ago, 60+ Rajya Sabha MPs (50 needed) wrote to Chairman RS moving Motion to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar. After the big news break today that two Election Commissioners objected to many of CEC's actions, it's time to bring out the RS Motion today. Impeach CEC to save democracy," he said.

Opposition leaders have also called for an all-party meeting following reports of differences within the Election Commission.