Election Commission’s nine new decisions: What changes and what doesn’t

In a move signaling significant change within the Election Commission of India (ECI), the body announced nine new decisions after addressing concerns raised by two Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, over a period of 10 months. These decisions cover a range of issues, from circulation of agendas and minutes to approval of foreign trips for officers and the review of IT modules.

The Commission emphasized its commitment to meticulously comply with directives issued by Commissioners to officers. However, the document reveals limitations, particularly regarding Form 6, which is used for registering voters. The Commission's response to complaints about the online form, specifically the insertion of a question about applicants' parents, remains vague. It does not address who inserted the question or whether it has been removed.

Other pressing concerns, such as the central appeal process in West Bengal, the enabling of software facilities in Goa, and the roles of DG (IT) Seema Khanna and Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg, are left unanswered in the Commission's announcement. The document does not clarify whether Gyanesh Kumar, who had previously objected to the SIR (Special Inspection Roll), will now collaborate with Sandhu and Joshi in decision-making, nor does it indicate how the two Commissioners' objections will influence the future dynamics within the Commission.