- Sandhu wrote on 13 August that the Form 6 change was 'unauthorised/illegal'; Joshi had said in May the form could only be changed by amending rules.
- Under the 2023 law on the Commission, its business is to be done unanimously 'as far as possible', and otherwise by majority.
- On 26 September the ECI announced nine decisions, including advance meeting agendas and a review of its ECINET software.
An Indian Express investigation reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected at least 14 times in 10 months to SIR-related decisions they said were taken without their knowledge. Issues included a July change to the online Form 6 for new voters, central control of voter-roll software, and appeals filed in West Bengal against restored voters. On 23 September 2026 the ECI acknowledged the notes as part of normal deliberation and said its decisions were unanimous.
Claim by claim
All decisions of the Commission, including on the SIR, were taken unanimously.
Said by Election Commission of IndiaThe two Commissioners' notes say some orders were issued without their knowledge. The ECI has not said who approved the Form 6 change.
The Indian ExpressThe commissioners' letters to the Cabinet Secretary concerned an officer on deputation, not Commission policy.
Said by Election Commission of IndiaThe letters have not been made public, so this description cannot be independently checked.
Press Information Bureau (Election Commission)What each side says
The ECI said written notes and suggestions by commissioners are 'standard, ongoing practices' and part of decision-making, and later called a viral CEC resignation letter fake.
The Indian Express · ETV Bharat (PTI)Their notes said orders were issued without the Commission's approval, and Sandhu recorded that roll officers lacked proper access to the ERONET portal.
The Indian ExpressNot yet known
- ?Whether the full text of the commissioners' notes will be made public, as the opposition has demanded.
Sources
3 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.
- The Indian ExpressElection Commission ECI SIR Row: Commissioners Object to Gyanesh Kumar Over Roll Deletions
- The Indian ExpressECI responds to commissioners' objections
- Press Information Bureau (Election Commission)The meeting of the Commission was held today i.e. 26.09.2026 at 3:00 PM. The following decisions were taken in the meeting
- ETV Bharat (PTI)Election Commission Dubs CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Purported Resignation Letter 'Fake'
Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.