New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has defended its internal decision-making process, saying that officers and Election Commissioners are entitled to raise questions, record observations and suggest changes during the preparation of decisions concerning the electoral system.
The clarification came on Wednesday after an investigative report published by The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a period of 10 months. The reported objections related to issues including changes involving electoral rolls and the handling of certain matters within the poll panel.
Responding to the report, the ECI said it is a multi-member constitutional institution functioning under Article 324 of the Constitution, relevant laws and established procedures. According to the Commission, internal notes, queries and observations are part of the process through which matters are examined before a final decision is taken.
The poll panel said suggestions raised during the drafting or operational stage should not be viewed separately from the final decisions issued by the Commission. It maintained that its orders and directions carry legal authority and are issued in accordance with the applicable constitutional and statutory framework.
The Commission also pointed to the broader range of work undertaken during the past year. It said around 40 initiatives and several electoral reforms have been introduced, including measures related to electoral-roll revision and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The ECI stated that decisions taken by the full Commission during this period were unanimous.
The statement also addressed questions surrounding the Commission’s digital systems and electoral databases. The ECI said platforms such as ECINet operate with data-security measures and audit controls intended to protect electoral information. It further pointed out that statutory officials, including Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers, exercise their responsibilities relating to voter registration and deletion under the applicable legal framework.
The ECI said examining isolated internal observations without considering the wider set of approvals, instructions, reforms and administrative decisions could provide only a partial account of its functioning.
The Commission reiterated that internal discussion and the recording of differing views form part of institutional deliberations before final decisions are adopted. It also reaffirmed its responsibility to carry out its constitutional functions and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
