All Decisions Taken in Unanimity: ECI Denies Rift Over SIR

According to sources, all decisions of the Election Commission of India, including those related to the SIR, have been unanimous and taken with the approval of both Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner.

According to the Indian Express report, Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times over the last 10 months to decisions taken and orders issued without their knowledge.

Opposition parties, however, have reacted strongly to the report.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien on Wednesday urged Parliament to bring out a notice of motion signed by more than 60 Opposition Rajya Sabha MPs seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

In an X post referring to the Indian Express report, O'Brien renewed his call for an impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

"Five months ago, 60+ Rajya Sabha MPs (50 needed) wrote to Chairman RS moving Motion to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar. After the big news break today that two Election Commissioners objected to many of CEC's actions, it's time to bring out the RS Motion today. Impeach CEC to save democracy," he said.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called upon the Supreme Court of India to take suo motu cognisance, alleging that the developments amounted to a betrayal of democracy.

In a post on X, he said the media report indicated that all Election Commissioners were not able to perform their rightful duties.

"This is an extremely serious news that in the past 10 months, 2 Election Commissioners have registered their objections 14 times against the Election Commission's wrong decisions. This directly means that all Election Commissioners are not able to perform their rightful duties," he said.

Yadav further alleged that the reported developments were dangerous for democracy and urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal claimed that CEC Gyanesh Kumar did not have the support of the majority among the Election Commission members.

"It seems some people in this country still have a conscience... look at the kind of irregularities taking place in the Election Commission. There used to be a single member; now, there are three. It has been established that the majority was not with Gyanesh Kumar. He used to act arbitrarily; Mr Joshi and Mr Sandhu questioned his working methods on 14 occasions," he alleged.

UBT MP Sanjay Raut claimed that elections in India had been compromised and alleged that the Election Commission of India functions under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

"Gyanesh Kumar should be suspended, and legal action should be taken against him. In this country, elections have become a farce. ECI comes under the Home Ministry. The number one criminal is Amit Shah. If the PM wants to save the nation, he should remove Amit Shah from the Cabinet. If Modi ji doesn't take action, then I will urge the President, who is the chief of all three security forces, to remove Gyanesh Kumar. If the President also takes no action, then the Army Chief should come forward to save the country from such 'hukumshahon' (dictators)," he said.

The political row over the report is likely to intensify, with the Congress calling a press conference later in the day.

The Congress and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have repeatedly criticised the Election Commission and the SIR process, alleging that it has led to the loss of voting rights.

The Indian Express report, published on September 23, said that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded 14 objections over a 10-month period concerning decisions and procedures within the poll panel. (indianexpress.com)