Kochi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday rejected allegations that the ECI was divided on matters related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The decision on revision of electoral rolls was taken with the “unanimous approval” of all three commissioners, the ECI said in a statement after a meeting of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (EC). The meeting assumes significance in the wake of the Indian Express publishing a report on September 23 alleging that the Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi had expressed their dissent over several SIR-related decisions.The clarification relates to a reported dispute over the allocation of responsibilities within the Commission. Work redistribution orders issued by an officer had changed the allocation of some responsibilities, including those relating to the IT division, but Sandhu and Joshi raised objections to the arrangement. The Commission said those work redistribution orders were not implemented after orders from the two Commissioners. The Commission also maintained that the Deputy Election Commissioner’s oversight of the IT division was “never actually withdrawn”, countering any suggestion that the restructuring had removed that oversight.
ECI claims all is well
