The Election Commission SIR row has drawn attention after reports of differences among Election Commissioners over aspects of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Today, the Election Commission said such differences are part of standard deliberations and should not be viewed as a rupture within the institution.
The Election Commission SIR process involves the revision of electoral rolls, including the verification and updating of voter records. According to the EC, commissioners can raise operational questions, submit observations and offer suggestions while proposals are still at the draft stage.
Election Commission Explains Differences Among Commissioners
The Election Commission statement followed a media report claiming that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised 14 formal objections over 10 months concerning aspects of the SIR rollout. The EC said highlighting selected observations without considering the wider body of approvals, decisions and instructions provides only part of the picture.
The Commission said differing views and observations are normal in institutional decision-making. It stated that suggestions from commissioners and other officials are intended to improve electoral processes and safeguard voter rights.
The EC also said it had taken numerous decisions, issued instructions and introduced around 40 initiatives and electoral reforms during the past year. It maintained that decisions of the full Commission during this period were unanimous.The Commission further pointed to major elections conducted in Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal during the period, saying the exercises involved extensive administrative coordination and multiple approvals.
The Election Commission SIR controversy therefore centres on how internal observations should be understood. The EC’s position is that questions and disagreements during preliminary deliberations are part of its normal institutional process, while final decisions are taken by the Commission as a whole.
