🏛️ Polity
Election Commission tells Supreme Court all voter-list decisions were unanimous
In 60 seconds: The Election Commission has told the Supreme Court that all its decisions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists were unanimous. It rejected claims that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar acted alone despite objections from the other two commissioners. The commission said the petition rests on a single news report, and that it never amended Form 6, which people use to join the voter list.
Why it matters
Clean voter lists are the base of free and fair elections. How the commission takes decisions affects trust in the whole process.
Explain it simply
Three partners run a chai stall. Small notes in the register are not decisions; only what all three sign off on is. The commission says its notes worked the same way.
The 3-minute read
What happened
In a counter-affidavit filed by Deputy Election Commissioner Bhanu Prakash Yeturu and approved by CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the commission said its three SIR orders were unanimous.
Background
A petition alleged the CEC overrode the other commissioners. The commission said notes and queries written while a file moves between commissioners are not decisions, and urgent approvals are taken electronically and recorded later.
How it works
On a disputed 28 July work-allocation order, the commission said an Additional Secretary issued it; the two commissioners wrote to the Cabinet Secretary, and the order was not implemented after their joint direction on 30 July. It added that only the Central Government can amend Form 6 under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
What's next
The Supreme Court will hear the petition. The commission has asked for it to be dismissed as not maintainable.
What it means for you
Check that your name is on the voter list for your area. New voters apply with Form 6.
Key numbers
- 3: SIR orders the commission says were unanimous
- 1960: Year of the Registration of Electors Rules
- 3: Members of the Election Commission
Both sides
- Election Commission: All SIR decisions were unanimous, and the petition is based on one news report.
- Petitioner: The CEC acted unilaterally despite objections from the other commissioners.
Key terms explained
- Special Intensive Revision
- A thorough, house-to-house re-check of voter lists by the Election Commission.
- Form 6
- The application form to get your name added to the voter list.
The story so far
- 2023: New law on appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 says the commission should act unanimously as far as possible, and otherwise by majority.
- Jun 2025: First SIR order issued. On 24 June 2025 the Election Commission ordered a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a fresh house-to-house check of voter lists.
- Oct 2025: Second SIR order. A second order on 27 October 2025 extended the exercise. A third order followed on 14 May 2026.
- Today: ECI: all SIR decisions unanimous
Exam notes (UPSC, SSC, Banking, PSC)
- Article 324 of the Constitution vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission.
- The Election Commission has a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
- Form 6 is used to apply for inclusion in the electoral roll; Form 7 for deletion; Form 8 for corrections.
- Electoral rolls are prepared under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
Likely exam question: Which Article of the Constitution establishes the Election Commission of India, and how does the commission take decisions?