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Election Commission of India faces scrutiny over internal dissent and appointment law FAST-MOVING
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is facing intense political scrutiny following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised at least 14 formal objections over a 10-month period. These objections reportedly concerned the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including issues with voter name deletions, registration processes via Form 6, and the management of the electoral-roll database.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray, have condemned the reported internal rift, with some calling for the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Critics allege that the ECI is operating under a 'one-man autocracy' and that the SIR process may be used to manipulate voter lists.
In response, the ECI has rejected claims of a breakdown in decision-making, asserting that all final decisions, including those related to the SIR, were unanimous and carried full legal sanction. The Commission stated that differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberation.
Concurrently, the Supreme Court of India has delivered a split verdict regarding the constitutional validity of the 2023 law governing the appointment of the CEC and Election Commissioners. The law replaced a previous mechanism that included the Chief Justice of India on the selection panel with a committee comprising the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of Opposition. The matter has been referred to the Chief Justice of India to consider the formation of a Constitution Bench to resolve the legal challenge.
Entities
Election Commission of India · Gyanesh Kumar · Indian Express · Sukhbir Singh Sandhu · Supreme Court of India · Uddhav Thackeray · Vivek Joshi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [DISPUTED] Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly raised at least 14 objections over a 10-month period regarding decisions made without their knowledge or approval. www.bhaskarhindi.com · pragativadi.com · www.punjabkesari.com · lagatar24.com · bilkulonline.com · +9 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called for the Supreme Court of India to take suo motu cognisance of the situation. thefederal.com
- [DISPUTED] All decisions of the Election Commission, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), were taken unanimously with the approval of the Chief Election Commissioner and both Election Commissioners. www.bhaskarhindi.com · pragativadi.com · bilkulonline.com · www.latestly.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · +6 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan alleged the BJP-led government is using the Special Intensive Revision process to remove Muslim voters from electoral rolls.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien urged Parliament to bring forward a notice of motion signed by over 60 Rajya Sabha MPs to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut demanded the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and legal action against him.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Former Election Commissioner OP Rawat described the reported internal rift as 'very unfortunate' and stated it could lead to a breakdown in public trust.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Reported objections included issues with Form 6 changes, centralization of electoral-roll databases, voter-deletion appeals in West Bengal, and voter registration difficulties in Goa. pragativadi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] AAP MP Sanjay Singh alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls was an 'electoral loot'.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Uddhav Thackeray demanded that elections in Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Karnataka be conducted using ballot papers to protect democracy.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on whether to refer petitions challenging the 2023 CEC appointment law to a five-judge Constitution Bench. www.nationalheraldindia.com · english.publictv.in · madhyamamonline.com · munsifdaily.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rahul Gandhi described alleged 'vote chori' as a crime against the Indian people and an attack on the constitution. news.abplive.com