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Election Commission of India addresses internal disputes and SIR reforms FAST-MOVING
The Election Commission of India (ECI) held a high-level meeting on September 26, 2026, involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The meeting aimed to address reports of internal disagreements regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The ECI clarified that all decisions related to the SIR process were made unanimously and that differing opinions within the institution are a normal part of deliberation. To enhance transparency, the Commission announced that future meeting agendas and proceedings will be made public. Additionally, new protocols were established, including requiring prior approval for officials' foreign travel and a review of the ECINet technology platform by a committee of senior officials and independent experts from IIT/IIM.
Regarding the SIR process, the Commission introduced measures to assist voters flagged for discrepancies. Instead of requiring physical appearances, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit homes to collect documents, which will be uploaded to ECINet. The deadline for filing claims and objections in Delhi has been extended to October 30, while Maharashtra's deadline is October 12.
The controversy has sparked significant political backlash. The opposition INDIA bloc is planning a meeting on September 30 to discuss a removal motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi have accused the CEC of 'match-fixing elections,' citing allegations that he previously attempted to recruit political candidates while serving as an IAS officer.
Entities
Congress · Delhi · Election Commission of India · Gyanesh Kumar · INDIA bloc · Jairam Ramesh · Rahul Gandhi · Sukhbir Singh Sandhu · Supreme Court of India · Vivek Joshi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the Election Commission of creating hurdles for young voters through unauthorized changes to the Form 6 registration process. english.mathrubhumi.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Election Commission announced special enrolment camps in Delhi on September 27 and for young voters on September 29-30. munsifdaily.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Major Left parties held a rally in Bhubaneswar demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a halt to the SIR process. pragativadi.com
- [DISPUTED] The Election Commission stated that differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations and that decisions were taken unanimously. asianlite.com · sundayguardianlive.com · newsindialive.in · navbharatlive.com · www.aajtak.in · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Opposition parties in the INDIA bloc are planning to meet on September 30 to coordinate a response regarding the Election Commission and the SIR process. sundayguardianlive.com · sahilonline.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Delhi recorded 121,224 Form-6 applications for voter inclusion between August 31 and September 24, 2026.
- [● 9 SOURCES] The Election Commission eased hearing rules, allowing Booth Level Officers to visit homes to collect documents instead of requiring mandatory in-person hearings for certain electors. munsifdaily.com · www.thenewsminute.com · navbharatlive.com · hindi.webdunia.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised at least 14 objections over 10 months regarding decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. asianlite.com · pragativadi.com · sundayguardianlive.com · thehindustangazette.com · sahilonline.org · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] For voters receiving SIR notices, Booth Level Officers (BLO) will visit homes to collect documents to avoid the need for hearings. navbharatlive.com · munsifdaily.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The deadline for claims and objections in Maharashtra has been extended to October 12. navbharatlive.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The INDIA Bloc will hold a meeting in Delhi on September 30 to discuss the Election Commission and Special Intensive Revision (SIR). www.prabhatkhabar.com · sanjeevnitoday.com · thecsrjournal.in
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Election Commission will review the ECINet system through a committee of senior DEC and independent IIT/IIM experts. navbharatlive.com · www.aajtak.in · srnnews.com · lagatar.in · sanmarg.in