Overview
- An Indian Express investigation reported that two election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had recorded written objections on SIR-related decisions at least 14 times and had written to the Cabinet Secretary, triggering the current political dispute.
- The full Election Commission met on Saturday, September 26, issued a press note saying all SIR orders were approved unanimously, and cited the Supreme Court’s May 27, 2026, judgment that upheld the SIR framework.
- The commission announced voter-facing measures including extended filing and disposal deadlines (for example in Delhi and Maharashtra), removal of mandatory in-person ERO hearings in most cases, doorstep collection of documents, and special enrolment camps for those left out of rolls.
- Opposition parties, led by the Congress and the INDIA bloc, have demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal, planned protests and a Sept. 30 strategy meeting, and alleged large-scale deletions — claims that remain unverified in published reporting.
- To strengthen control and transparency the ECI said it will form a committee including an independent IIT/IIIT expert to review the ECINET portal and will circulate agendas and minutes of meetings, steps that could improve technical oversight but may not end political and legal challenges to the commission.