EC negates report of differences in commission over SIR NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Wednesday conceded that “operational queries or inputs” were raised by election commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi on matters including the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise, but insisted that these pertained to the draft stage and were “part of standard administrative practice aimed at safeguarding voter rights”.Claiming that the “suggestions” given by the commissioners were for further improving the electoral process and part of a decision-making process before a final decision, the EC stressed that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution, “Not only the three commissioners, but every officer of the commission is fully authorised to give his suggestions…for improving the electoral system,” EC said in a statement put out following news reports in a section of the media, alleging that the two elections commissioners had raised written objections 14 times in 10 months, to steps taken by the commission, and even written separately to Cabinet secretary against “gradual centralisation of the electoral roll database”.”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. In recent months, the Commission has taken numerous decisions, issued instructions, introduced around 40 new initiatives and undertaken many electoral reforms including the conduct of electoral roll revision (including SIR) across the country. All these decisions are an outcome of the unanimous decisions of the full Commission in the past one year,” the commission stated.The statement reiterated that EC, a constitutional body functioning under the strict mandate of Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory roles and established institutional conventions, operates as a multi-member constitutional body, “Written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks-and-balances are standard, ongoing practices designed to ensure complete transparency, legal compliance and operational rigour,” it noted.The commission said all official orders, decisions and administrative directions issued by the Commission carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures under The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.”The Commission has recently successfully conducted major elections of Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal and election-related exercises during this period. This work involved wide-ranging administrative and operational machinery and many Commission approvals and instruction,” it was stated.On the commissioners’ alleged objection to centralisation of the electoral roll database or ERONet/ECINet, with restricted access to electoral registration officers (EROs) who are authorised under the Representation of the People Act to decide on addition of deletion of names in the electoral roll, the Commission said digital platforms such as ECINet operate under strict data security protocols to prevent unauthorised tampering, manipulation, etc.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines “IT security checks and audit controls are standard cybersecurity measures implemented across national databases. Statutory authorities, including EROs and district election officers (DEOs), function as per statutory powers for registration and deletion under law,” said EC.The poll body signed off saying that it “remains fully committed to executing its constitutional duties with complete integrity, recognizing its vital role in advancing our democracy”.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Man Murdered in UAE: Body Found in Nine Pieces Inside Car In SharjahAsad Alam Siam to Be Bangladesh’s Next High Commissioner to India | What It Means for TiesUP Man Kills Wife & 2 Priests, Holds 3 Children Hostage, Later Shot Dead In Police EncounterIndia Tests 1,000-Km-Range ‘KAL’ One-Way Attack Drone At Pokhran Range‘Can’t Deny Our Right To Industrialise’: Jaishankar Lists 7 Priorities At Global South MeetIIT Bombay Student Death: Family Alleges Caste Discrimination, Alumni Association Urges Fair Probe‘Only Akhilesh Can Beat BJP’: SP Leader Iqra Hasan’s Remark Triggers Fresh Congress-SP Face-Off’Everything Is Fine In Our Schools’: CJP Team Stopped In Greater Noida, Locals Question School Visit’I’m With You Don’t Go’: Ex-Cong MLA Calls Off BJP Entry After Rahul Gandhi’s Emotional AppealJamui Harassment Case: Prime Accused Shot In Police Encounter, All Seven Arrested In Bihar | Watch123PhotostoriesHow to make a castor oil hair treatment at home in 5 minutes?From dating rumours with Nadeem and daughter Tara calling him ‘Abba’ to divorce from Jay Bhanushali after 14 years of marriage: Bigg Boss 20’s Mahhi Vij’s top controversiesYami Gautam channels old-world royalty in a striking gold-trimmed black saree at the National Film Awards9 things boys learn from their grandparents without even realising itMartha’s Rule rolled out to every A&E in England after teenager’s death: 5 things you need to knowWhy do eggs crack while boiling? 5 common reasons and how to prevent itBeyond Litti Chokha: 10 Bihari dishes you may not know about10 legendary tigers of India and why they became famous5 daily habits that make kids feel deeply valuedCan leftover roti become a dessert? 5 surprisingly good ideas123Hot PicksBPSC TRE 4 RecruitmentAndhra Pradesh school holidaySpaceXGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysWeather tomorrowVivek Tiwari caseUPI transactionsOpenAI breachCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyConnor McDavid WifePowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Wednesday conceded that “operational queries or inputs” were raised by election commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi on matters including the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise, but insisted that these pertained to the draft stage and were “part of standard administrative practice aimed at safeguarding voter rights”.Claiming that the “suggestions” given by the commissioners were for further improving the electoral process and part of a decision-making process before a final decision, the EC stressed that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution, “Not only the three commissioners, but every officer of the commission is fully authorised to give his suggestions…for improving the electoral system,” EC said in a statement put out following news reports in a section of the media, alleging that the two elections commissioners had raised written objections 14 times in 10 months, to steps taken by the commission, and even written separately to Cabinet secretary against “gradual centralisation of the electoral roll database”.“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. In recent months, the Commission has taken numerous decisions, issued instructions, introduced around 40 new initiatives and undertaken many electoral reforms including the conduct of electoral roll revision (including SIR) across the country. All these decisions are an outcome of the unanimous decisions of the full Commission in the past one year,” the commission stated.The statement reiterated that EC, a constitutional body functioning under the strict mandate of Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory roles and established institutional conventions, operates as a multi-member constitutional body, “Written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks-and-balances are standard, ongoing practices designed to ensure complete transparency, legal compliance and operational rigour,” it noted.The commission said all official orders, decisions and administrative directions issued by the Commission carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures under The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.“The Commission has recently successfully conducted major elections of Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal and election-related exercises during this period. This work involved wide-ranging administrative and operational machinery and many Commission approvals and instruction,” it was stated.On the commissioners’ alleged objection to centralisation of the electoral roll database or ERONet/ECINet, with restricted access to electoral registration officers (EROs) who are authorised under the Representation of the People Act to decide on addition of deletion of names in the electoral roll, the Commission said digital platforms such as ECINet operate under strict data security protocols to prevent unauthorised tampering, manipulation, etc.
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“IT security checks and audit controls are standard cybersecurity measures implemented across national databases. Statutory authorities, including EROs and district election officers (DEOs), function as per statutory powers for registration and deletion under law,” said EC.The poll body signed off saying that it “remains fully committed to executing its constitutional duties with complete integrity, recognizing its vital role in advancing our democracy”.
