Current Affairs

Election Commission dissent row escalates over SIR voter revision

2026-09-24 - ABikram Mondal

Reports of repeated objections inside the Election Commission

Media reports published on September 23 detailed that two Election Commissioners had raised formal objections on multiple occasions to decisions taken by the poll panel. The objections covered steps in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and other administrative actions. The Indian Express carried the account of these recorded dissents. The Election Commission responded that all decisions followed statutory processes and carried full legal force.

According to the same reports the dissenting commissioners had flagged concerns about transparency and the manner in which certain voter additions and deletions were handled. The commission maintained that differing views form part of normal institutional deliberation. It added that every officer in the body is authorised to offer suggestions for improving the system.

The law governing the Election Commission requires decisions to be either unanimous or taken by majority. Officials emphasised that this rule had been observed in the matters under discussion. The response came after opposition parties highlighted the reported internal differences.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar heads the three-member body. The two other commissioners are reported to have recorded their reservations in writing on at least fourteen occasions in recent months. The commission statement did not name individuals but defended the overall process.

Opposition parties demand action against the CEC

Leaders from Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam called for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Some demanded his impeachment and arrest. They described the reported dissent as evidence of one-man control over the institution.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went further and asked for fresh assembly elections in the state using the pre-revision voter list. She alleged that earlier polls had been manipulated. Similar calls came from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other opposition figures.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the episode as an attack on the Constitution. He and other party spokespersons urged President Droupadi Murmu to intervene. The opposition framed the issue as a threat to democratic fairness ahead of future state and national polls.

The Election Commission countered that all orders issued by it remain legally valid regardless of internal notes. It said the body continues to function as a collective and that suggestions from any quarter are considered on merit.

Background of the Special Intensive Revision exercise

The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls began earlier in 2026 in several states. The exercise aimed to update voter lists by removing duplicates and adding eligible names. Notices were sent to voters in Delhi and other areas asking them to confirm details.

Opposition parties had already raised questions about the notices and the pace of the revision. They argued that the process risked disenfranchising legitimate voters. The latest reports of internal objections added fuel to those concerns.

The Election Commission has maintained that the revision follows Supreme Court directions and established procedures. It has invited public feedback and claims the final rolls will be more accurate. State election officials continue to process claims and objections filed by citizens.

Political analysts note that similar revisions have taken place before national and state elections. The current round coincides with preparations for upcoming assembly polls in several states. The timing has heightened political sensitivity around the process.

BJP moves to appoint new state in-charges

On the same day the Bharatiya Janata Party announced fresh appointments of state in-charges and co-in-charges for all 28 states and eight Union territories. Smriti Irani was given charge of Haryana and Chhattisgarh. Ram Madhav received Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand.

Party sources said the reshuffle forms part of routine organisational strengthening. It comes at a time when the ruling party faces renewed opposition pressure on institutional matters. The appointments cover key battleground states for the next round of elections.

Observers see the timing as an attempt to refocus attention on governance and outreach. The party has also been active in Meghalaya where several legislators joined its ranks recently. Such moves are standard ahead of assembly elections scheduled in coming months.

The Election Commission row has not altered the BJP schedule for these organisational changes. Senior leaders continue to emphasise that the poll panel operates independently and that its decisions enjoy legal protection.

Preparations for nationwide bank strike continue

The Reserve Bank of India directed all public sector and regional rural banks to remain fully operational on Sunday September 27. The directive came ahead of a three-day nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions starting September 28.

Bank unions have announced the strike to protest proposed changes in service conditions and other demands. The RBI move ensures customers can complete transactions before the shutdown begins. Salaries for central government employees will also be credited early on September 25.

Similar arrangements were made during previous strikes to minimise public inconvenience. The banking regulator has asked banks to deploy additional staff and extend working hours where needed. Regional rural banks in particular have been instructed to maintain normal operations.

Finance ministry officials said the government is in touch with union leaders. No immediate resolution has been reported. The strike is expected to affect branches across the country though digital channels are likely to remain available.

Other developments from the day

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in the women’s 49 kg category at the Asian Games 2026. She became the first Indian to win an Asian Games weightlifting medal since Karnam Malleswari in 1998. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her on the achievement.

The India Meteorological Department issued alerts for heavy rain and strong winds along the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coast. A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to move west-northwest and cross the coast. Red alerts were issued for several districts.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India’s solar capacity has reached nearly 165 GW and that the PM Surya Ghar scheme has benefited more than 51 lakh families. He also noted India’s role in conserving the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros.

Jamia Millia Islamia announced one-year postgraduate programmes in 13 disciplines through open and distance learning modes. The move aligns with provisions of the National Education Policy 2020.

The short version. The Election Commission maintains that its decisions on voter list revision remain legally valid despite reported internal objections, while opposition parties continue to press for leadership changes.

Sources

Reported from the sources above on 2026-09-24. Figures are as published at the time of writing. If something here has moved on, the linked source is the one to trust.

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