New Delhi, Sept. 23: The Election Commission of India on Wednesday defended its internal decision-making process amid a report detailing objections by two Election Commissioners, saying differences of view are part of institutional deliberations and that decisions taken by the full Commission in recent months were unanimous.
The poll panel said every officer is authorised to place suggestions, observations and technical inputs before the Commission to improve the electoral system. It said such internal exchanges form part of checks and balances intended to ensure legal compliance, transparency and operational scrutiny.
The clarification followed an investigation published by The Indian Express that reported two Election Commissioners had recorded objections on 14 occasions over a 10-month period. According to the report, the objections concerned several aspects of electoral administration, including the addition and deletion of voters and processes linked to electoral roll management.
The ECI said its functioning is governed by Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory provisions and established institutional conventions. It maintained that official orders, decisions and administrative directions issued by the Commission carry legal sanction and are issued through procedures prescribed under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
According to the Commission, operational questions or suggestions raised during the drafting stage do not constitute final decisions. It said inputs from Commissioners are intended to further strengthen electoral processes and protect voter rights.
The poll panel also said focusing on selected internal notes from a 10-month period without considering the broader set of decisions and initiatives could present an incomplete account of its functioning. It said the Commission had introduced around 40 new initiatives and undertaken electoral reforms, including electoral-roll revision and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across the country. The ECI said these decisions were approved unanimously by the full Commission over the past year.
The Commission cited its work related to elections and election exercises in Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal, saying these processes required extensive administrative arrangements and numerous approvals and instructions.
On concerns over electoral data and digital systems, the ECI said platforms including ECINet operate under established data-security protocols and audit controls. It added that Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers exercise their statutory powers relating to voter registration and deletion under the law.
The Commission reiterated that it remains committed to discharging its constitutional responsibilities and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
