Poll Panel Clarifies SIR Decisions Were Approved by Full Commission; Explains Administrative Differences and Goa BLO Exercise
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 26: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday issued a detailed clarification amid the ongoing discussion over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating that key decisions related to the exercise were approved unanimously by all three Election Commissioners.
The Commission said the SIR orders issued during the past year were cleared by the full panel and maintained that the revised declaration associated with Form 6, used for seeking inclusion in electoral rolls, has received the backing of the Supreme Court.
The clarification comes amid reports of differences involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over certain administrative matters.
ECI Says SIR Decisions Approved Unanimously
The Election Commission said the principal SIR order issued on June 24, 2025, initially covering Bihar and later extended to West Bengal and other States and Union Territories, was approved by all three members of the Commission.
The poll panel further referred to the Supreme Court order of May 27, 2026, stating that the relevant SIR provision had been upheld by the apex court.
According to the ECI, the SIR schedule covering 12 States and Union Territories was issued on October 27, 2025, while another schedule covering 19 States and Union Territories followed on May 14, 2026. The Commission said both decisions were taken with unanimous approval.
The final number of electors, it added, will be known after the completion and final publication of electoral rolls in the remaining 12 States and Union Territories covered under the third phase.
Clarification on Form 6
Addressing questions concerning Form 6, the Commission said the declaration prescribed in connection with the SIR exercise had received judicial backing.
The ECI clarified that outside periods when SIR is being conducted, voters will continue to use the forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
The Commission reiterated that the electoral-roll revision process will continue to be carried out in accordance with the applicable legal and statutory framework.
Poll Panel Explains Administrative Issue
On reports concerning communications sent by Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi to the Cabinet Secretary, the ECI said the correspondence did not relate to any policy decision of the Commission or its Information Technology division.
The Commission stated that the matter concerned the functioning of an officer serving on deputation with the ECI.
It further said that certain work-redistribution instructions issued by the officer were not implemented following directions from the two Election Commissioners.
The ECI also clarified that the Deputy Election Commissioner continued to oversee the IT division and that this supervisory responsibility had not been formally withdrawn.
ECI Outlines Procedure for Commission Meetings
The Commission said agendas for its meetings are circulated in advance and that proceedings are formally recorded through minutes.
It added that directions issued by individual Election Commissioners to officers are dealt with according to the established institutional procedure.
The ECI said differences in views or observations among members can arise during institutional deliberations, while decisions and orders issued by the Commission are taken through the prescribed statutory and institutional process.
Goa BLOs Directed to Reach Out to Voters
Separately, the Commission said the Chief Electoral Officer of Goa had directed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to conduct house-to-house visits to voters who had not yet submitted the required forms.
The ECI said 81 of the 97 identified voters had subsequently submitted Form 6 seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls.
The Commission also clarified that voters receiving notices during the SIR process generally do not have to appear personally for hearings, except in cases where personal appearance is considered necessary.
The latest statement is the second clarification issued by the Election Commission amid reports concerning internal differences linked to aspects of the SIR exercise.
The poll panel reiterated that decisions concerning the revision of electoral rolls have been taken through the institutional process and that the exercise is being carried out in accordance with the applicable legal and statutory provisions.(KNC)
