‘One-man rule’ at Election Commission? Opposition demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal; SIR at centre of dispute
A fresh political row has erupted over the functioning of the Election Commission, with opposition leaders alleging that CEC Gyanesh Kumar has concentrated decision-making power and demanding his removal
PTC Web Desk: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has come under scrutiny following a report about alleged differences among its three members over decisions related to electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
According to a report by The Indian Express, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally recorded objections to certain decisions at least 14 times over the past 10 months. The report said some of these objections related to decisions and orders that the two commissioners claimed were taken without their knowledge.
The report also mentioned that four objections were recorded on the same day, highlighting the extent of the differences being reported within the three-member poll panel.
SIR process at centre of dispute
The reported differences are linked, among other issues, to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to the report, the two election commissioners raised concerns over certain decisions involving the addition, deletion and restoration of names in electoral rolls. Questions were also reportedly raised over changes to election-related data and the systems used to manage such information.
The report further claimed that the two commissioners had objected to certain changes involving Form 6, which is used for applications related to inclusion of names in electoral rolls.
Opposition leaders raise questions
The report triggered strong reactions from opposition parties, with several leaders questioning the functioning of the Election Commission.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared the report on social media and raised questions over the credibility and independence of the poll panel.
Congress MP Manish Tewari said that if decisions were taken without following the prescribed rules and without the required majority, their legal validity would need to be examined.
CPM MP John Brittas also criticised the reported differences and referred to the opposition's earlier efforts seeking action against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and TMC Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien also criticised the functioning of the Election Commission and called for action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
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Election Commission rejects claims of lack of consensus
Amid the controversy, sources in the Election Commission have rejected the suggestion that major decisions were being taken without the involvement of the other commissioners.
According to ECI sources, all decisions taken by the poll panel, including those related to the SIR exercise, were approved by the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners.
Sources said decisions were taken unanimously by the three-member commission.
What the dispute means
The issue has drawn attention because the Election Commission is responsible for maintaining electoral rolls and overseeing the country's election process. Any questions about how decisions are taken within the constitutional body are therefore likely to attract public and political scrutiny.
At present, two versions have emerged. The report cited by opposition leaders refers to repeated formal objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The Election Commission, however, maintains that its decisions, including those concerning SIR, were taken with the approval of all three members.