'Differing views part of decision-making': Election Commission pushes back against criticism
The poll panel said its digital systems follow strict security protocols and maintained that all decisions and electoral reforms complied with the law.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) defended its decision-making process and digital security measures against criticism in a press note on Wednesday. The commission emphasized that differing views among its commissioners are a normal part of deliberation and decision-making, stating that all commissioners and officers have the authority to suggest improvements to the electoral system.
The ECI assured that internal discussions and technical suggestions are standard administrative practices aimed at safeguarding voter rights and improving electoral processes.
The ECI clarified that its software, ECINet, and digital platforms operate under strict data security protocols to prevent unauthorized tampering and manipulation. The commission's actions are legal, and all inquiries or inputs from commission members are part of the standard administrative practice to ensure transparency, legal compliance, and operational rigor.
The ECI also dismissed claims that internal notes and observations were recorded 14 times in 10 months, describing these as routine exchanges within the commission.
Highlighting ongoing reform measures, the ECI noted that numerous decisions, instructions, and initiatives were taken in recent months, resulting in around 40 new initiatives and electoral reforms. The commission emphasized that all decisions were made through unanimous decisions of the full commission over the past year. Officials also clarified that claims of Form 6 being altered without legal sanction were inaccurate, as a separate declaration form was already created before the July rollout.
The ECI dismissed the widely cited figure of 130 million voter deletions as misleading, explaining that the 3.8 million appeals filed in West Bengal were not filed by the ECI. The Supreme Court's decision on the conduct of a special intensive revision under Article 324 and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, was cited as evidence of the ECI's legal compliance and authority.
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