UNDER fire over red flags raised by two of its Commissioners over the SIR process, the Election Commission on Wednesday asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution and all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures. In a statement, the EC also said that not only the three Commissioners, but every officer of the Commission is fully authorised to give his suggestions to the Commission for improving the electoral system. The EC said any operational queries or inputs raised by Commission members during draft stages are part of standard administrative practice aimed at safeguarding voter rights and the suggestions given by the Commissioners were for further improving the electoral processes. The poll body’s statement came after ‘The Indian Express’ reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had red flagged multiple issues, including deletion of names, in various States during the panIndia Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters’ list, triggering a massive political storm.

 

“All official orders, decisions and administrative directions issued by the Commission carry full legal sanctions and follow established statutory procedures under The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. “Differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution. They are a part of the decisionmaking process before a final decision is taken. Not only the three Commissioners, but every officer of the Commission is fully authorised to give his suggestions to the Commission for improving the electoral system,” the statement said. The newspaper also reported that the national rollout of the SIR has been under the supervision of all three Commissioners but Sandhu and Joshi have formally objected, on record, at least 14 times over the last 10 months - four times on a single day - to decisions taken and orders issued, they say, without their knowledge.