CEC Gyanesh Kumar faced reported internal disagreements over SIR rollout procedures, with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recording 14 written objections over ten months. Their notes reportedly raised concerns about procedures and administrative directions during the nationwide Special Intensive Revision exercise, highlighting differences within the Election Commission over its implementation.

According to internal documents cited in public reports, Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi objected to unilateral changes made to Form 6 for new voter registrations without prior full-panel approval. They also flagged concerns regarding centralized access control over the electoral roll database, software-driven voter deletions showing potential error rates, and orders issued under the Commission’s name without prior consensus among all three panel members.

CEC Responds As Opposition Raises SIR Concerns

CEC Gyanesh Kumar faced Opposition demands for resignation after reports of internal dissent within the Election Commission. The poll body rejected claims of a rift, saying differing views are part of statutory deliberations and that official orders have legal backing and were approved unanimously. Opposition parties, meanwhile, alleged arbitrary voter-roll changes and questioned the SIR process.

The controversy triggered legal challenges, including petitions filed in the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on ongoing roll revisions and complete disclosure of the dissent notes. Political leaders submitted fresh notices in Parliament regarding institutional accountability, while legal experts stressed that maintaining complete transparency in voter roll management remains critical to safeguarding public faith in electoral outcomes.