The Election Commission of India has refuted allegations of internal discord, presenting a united front following a key meeting at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, clarified that major decisions, including the Special Intensive Revision across states and union territories, were taken unanimously. The commission noted that orders concerning SIR in Bihar, West Bengal, and other regions received unanimous approval and referenced Supreme Court backing. Officials also addressed media reports alleging centralization of power and internal objections, confirming extensions for SIR processes to assist voters.
The Bharatiya Janata Party addressed claims made against the Election Commission, stating that allegations peddled by the opposition have been proven untrue. Referring to an Indian Express report and a photograph showing all three election commissioners seated together issuing a press release, the party highlighted that the truth is now evident and the narrative against the poll body stands discredited.
The Election Commission of India held a crucial internal meeting at Nirvachan Bhavan featuring Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar alongside Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi amid allegations of centralisation of powers and opposition demands for the Chief Election Commissioner's removal. Following reports and political criticism, the poll body issued clarifications addressing letters sent to the Cabinet Secretary, explaining that the communication concerned an officer on deputation rather than policy matters or IT division oversight. The Commission confirmed that work redistribution orders were not implemented following commissioners' directions, ensuring uninterrupted IT oversight. Clarifications were also issued regarding voter enrollment under the Special Summary Revision process, stating that SIR schedules across states and union territories received unanimous approval and were upheld by the Supreme Court of India. The Commission detailed enrollment initiatives in Goa and extended claims and objections filing deadlines in Delhi, projecting a united administrative stance.
The Election Commission of India has clarified that all decisions taken by the poll body, including the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision across states and union territories, were unanimous. Addressing reports regarding letters written by Election Commissioners, the poll body stated that the communication addressed to the Cabinet Secretary was strictly administrative in nature, concerning the functioning of an officer on deputation, and not related to any policy matters or the oversight of the Information Technology division. The Commission noted that the Special Intensive Revision orders for 12 states and union territories on 27 October and for 19 states and union territories on 14 May received unanimous approval and align with directives upheld by the Supreme Court of India. Dismissing opposition allegations of an internal divide, the Commission affirmed that administrative feedback reflects healthy internal deliberation and adherence to rules, maintaining that the poll body remains completely united in conducting fair elections across the country.
A crucial internal meeting of the Election Commission of India was held at Nirvachan Bhavan, attended by the Chief Election Commissioner and both Election Commissioners. The meeting occurred amid demands by opposition parties and the INDIA bloc calling for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner following claims raised in a media report. Addressing allegations regarding centralization of powers, the poll body clarified that a letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary concerned the working of an officer on deputation to the commission and was not related to any policy matter or the IT division. The commission stated that work redistribution orders were not implemented after directives from the two commissioners, and oversight of the IT division was never withdrawn. Further clarifications addressed electoral processes, noting house-to-house voter verification drives by booth level officers in Goa, the completion of the SIR exercise across twenty states and union territories, and the extension of claims and objections deadlines for Delhi until 30 October 2026.