The Election Commission of India (ECI) is having one of its most difficult weeks in years. On Wednesday, a newspaper investigation reported that two of the poll body’s three members had repeatedly put objections on record against decisions linked to the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The Commission quickly denied any internal rift. The Opposition, however, has used the report to renew its demand that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar step down.

This article covers what the report says, how the ECI responded, and what it means for voters ahead of the October 6 bypolls.

What the Report Claims

The Indian Express report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected at least 14 times over about 10 months. On one day, they reportedly objected four times. According to the report, the two Commissioners said several of the decisions and orders were issued without their knowledge.

The objections reportedly cover four areas:

• Voter deletions: More than 13 crore names were removed from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union Territories during the SIR.

• Approvals: Some decisions to add, delete or restore voter names were allegedly taken without the approval of the full Commission.

• ECINet and data control: The Commissioners reportedly worried that the ECINet platform was moving control of voter rolls away from district officials and towards a central unit in Delhi. They are also said to have written to the Cabinet Secretary about orders on how work was divided among Commission members.

• Form 6 and appeals: They reportedly objected to changes in Form 6, which citizens use to register as new voters, and to the process for appeals against SIR orders.

What the Election Commission Said

The ECI issued a press note on the same day. It said differences of opinion are a normal part of discussion inside any institution, and that they come before a final decision is taken. The Commission said every decision taken over the past year, including those on the SIR, had the unanimous backing of the full Commission. It said it had rolled out around 40 new initiatives during this period. It also argued that pointing to 14 observations over 10 months, while ignoring the much larger number of approvals, gave only one side of the story.

On ECINet, the Commission said its digital systems run under strict data security and audit controls. It added that Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers still hold their legal powers over adding and removing names.

Opposition Steps Up Attack on CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The report quickly became a major political issue. Opposition leaders have demanded that Gyanesh Kumar be removed, and some have gone as far as calling for his arrest.

• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the ECI of undermining the integrity of elections.

• Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said tampering with the election process amounts to treason. She also questioned whether the post should carry the legal protection it currently has.

• Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram said the report, if accurate, would shake the foundations of the Commission. He added that courts examine how a decision is made, not only the decisio nitself.

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin asked the CEC to leave office.

• Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also demanded Kumar’s removal and arrest.

• CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas asked President Droupadi Murmu to step in.

A petition has also been filed asking the Attorney General to allow criminal contempt proceedings against the CEC. The petition alleges that the CEC violated Supreme Court judgments. The BJP has rejected the Opposition’s charge that the Commission is being run in a “dictatorial” way. The party argues that disagreements among the Commissioners actually show the institution is working democratically.

Not the First Time the SIR Has Been Questioned

The SIR has faced legal and political challenges since it began in Bihar between June and September 2025. Election Commission of India – Latest News | September 25, 2026 Page 2On May 27, 2026, the Supreme Court upheld the exercise. The Court found it consistent with the Representation of the People Act and within the Commission’s legal powers. That ruling is likely to shape any fresh legal challenge.

The Opposition has also tried to remove the CEC before. In April 2026, it submitted notices in both Houses of Parliament seeking his removal, the first time this had happened. Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla both rejected the notices.

By polls on October 6: Full Schedule

Amid the controversy, the Commission is also preparing for bypolls. It announced them on September 7.

Constituency State/UT Type

Madurantakam (SC) Tamil Nadu Assembly

Dharapuram (SC) Tamil Nadu Assembly

Thattanchavady Puducherry Assembly

Nandigram West Bengal Assembly

Rejinagar West Bengal Assembly

Nagaon Assam Lok Sabha

• Polling date: October 6

• Counting date: October 9

• Process completed by: October 11

The Model Code of Conduct is already in force in the districts going to the polls. Nandigram will draw the most attention. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the Assembly polls earlier this year. He chose to keep Bhabanipur, which left Nandigram vacant. Dates have not yet been announced for two other vacant Lok Sabha seats: Shillong in Meghalaya and Basirhat in West Bengal.

What This Means for Voters

The deletion of more than 13 crore names from draft rolls is the part of this story that matters most to ordinary voters. If you are unsure whether you are still registered, check your name on the voters’ service portal or the Voter Helpline app, using your EPIC number. If your name is missing, you can apply again using Form 6. You can also file an appeal against an SIR order within the time allowed.

What Happens Next

There are several things to watch in the coming days:

• Whether the Commission releases the actual records of its internal notes.

Election Commission of India – Latest News | September 25, 2026 Page 3• How the Attorney General responds to the contempt petition.

• Whether the Opposition raises the issue again when Parliament meets.

The October 6 bypolls will also be closely watched, as they are the Commission’s first test since the report came out.

FAQs

Who are the current members of the Election Commission of India?

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

What is the SIR?

The Special Intensive Revision is a house-to-house exercise to verify and update electoral rolls across the country.

Did the ECI admit there was dissent?

No. The Commission says the Commissioners made observations and suggestions, not formal dissent, and that all final decisions were unanimous.

When are the bypoll results?

Votes will be counted on October 9, 2026