New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Wednesday said differences of opinion and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations and asserted that all decisions taken by the poll panel over the past year, including those related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, were unanimous.

The ECI issued the statement following a report in The Indian Express which said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions over aspects of the SIR exercise.

In an eight-point press note, the Commission said it functions as a multi-member constitutional body and that written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks and balances are part of its functioning.

“Differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution. They are a part of the decision-making process before a final decision is taken. Not only the three Commissioners, but every officer of the Commission is fully authorised to give his suggestions to the Commission for improving the electoral system,” the ECI said.

The Commission said all official orders, decisions and administrative directions issued by it follow legal sanctions and statutory procedures under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

It also said that operational queries or inputs raised by Commission members during the draft stages are part of standard administrative practice aimed at safeguarding voter rights.

The ECI said that highlighting selected internal notes or observations over a 10-month period without taking into account the larger body of approvals and decisions presented only part of the picture.

“Highlighting certain specific internal notes/observations spread over the period of 10 months while overlooking the much larger body of approvals, decisions, instructions and initiatives give only one part of the picture. In recent months, the Commission has taken numerous decisions, issued instructions, introduced around 40 new initiatives and undertaken many electoral reforms including the conduct of Electoral roll revision (including SIR) across the country. All these decisions are an outcome of the unanimous decisions of the full Commission in the past one year.”

The Commission also pointed to elections recently conducted in Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal, saying these exercises involved multiple approvals and instructions.

On concerns regarding the security of electoral data, the ECI said its digital platforms, including ECINet, operate under strict data-security protocols designed to prevent unauthorised tampering or manipulation.

It said statutory authorities, including Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers, function under their statutory powers for registration and deletion of electors under law.

The Commission reiterated its commitment to its constitutional responsibilities.

“The Election Commission of India remains fully committed to executing its constitutional duties with complete integrity, recognising its vital role in advancing our democracy,” it said.