'Differing Views' Part Of 'Decision-Making', Says EC, Does Not Address Concerns Two ECs Red-Flagged, Pg5

Key Highlights:

• Two Election Commissioners (ECs), Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months regarding decisions made by the Election Commission of India (ECI) without their knowledge.
• The ECI acknowledged these "differing views" as part of its "decision-making process" but did not address the specific concerns or how they were resolved.
• Key objections included an "unauthorised/illegal" change to Form 6 for voter registration and a work-allocation order issued without the full Commission's approval.
• The two ECs wrote to the Cabinet Secretary regarding the work-allocation order, citing a violation of Section 18(1) and 18(2) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

Detailed Insights:

• The dissent within the ECI highlights concerns over transparency and collective decision-making processes in the constitutional body.
• The controversial change to Form 6, used for new voter registration, involved adding a declaration related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in July, despite the ECs advising against it without amending the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
• The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, are crucial procedural rules governing the preparation, revision, and maintenance of electoral rolls.
• The ECs also objected to the centralisation of control over electoral roll software within the ECI's IT division and the filing of numerous appeals in West Bengal without their authorization.
• The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, mandates that the procedure for transacting business and allocating work among the CEC and ECs must be decided unanimously.
• The ECI's press note asserted that all decisions were "unanimous," which contradicts the recorded objections by the two ECs.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Election Commission of India (ECI): An autonomous constitutional body responsible for administering election processes in India.
• Form 6: The application form used by eligible citizens to apply for inclusion of their name in the electoral roll.
• Registration of Electors Rules, 1960: Rules framed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, detailing the procedures for electoral roll preparation and revision.
• Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023: A parliamentary act that regulates the appointment, conditions of service, and transaction of business by the ECI.