Differing views, observations are normal part of deliberation in any institution: ECI on reports of internal friction

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Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. File image: @ECISVEEP/X via PTI Photo

Reacting to an investigative report that claimed that two of the three Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, have formally recorded objections at least 14 times over ten months, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said that “dffering views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution.”

“They are a part of the decision-making process before a final decision is taken. Not only the three Commissioners, but every officer of the Commission is fully authorized to give his suggestions to the Commission for improving the electoral system,” ECI said in a statement.

The Indian Express on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) carried an ‘expose’ that said that major decisions were being made in the name of the full Election Commission without their knowledge — several of which they called “unauthorised and illegal.”

According to the report, both the Election Commissioners red-flagged several key issues, led by the centralisation of the electoral rolls. 

“Highlighting certain specific internal notes/observations spread over the period of 10 months while overlooking the much larger body of approvals, decisions, instructions and initiatives give only one part of the picture. Any operational queries or inputs raised by Commission members during draft stages are part of standard administrative practice aimed at safeguarding voter rights. The suggestions given by the Commissioners were for further improving the electoral processes,” the ECI said in its response.

Separately, ECI sources have responded to the news report by saying that “all decisions of the Election Commission of India, including SIR, have been unanimous and with the approval of both the Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner.”

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders have accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of indulging in “one-man autocracy” and have demanded his removal.

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