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Two Election Commissioners objected to centralized voter deletions?

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Checked 17 Oct 2026

The Reel accurately reflects findings from an Indian Express investigation into the Special Intensive Revision. Over 13 crore names were removed from draft voter rolls across 30 States and Union Territories. Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally raised concerns after being bypassed on key decisions, with Joshi warning against database centralization through ECINet and requesting an audit. Additionally, software constraints left 97 approved voters in Goa off the final rolls.

Main source: Rediff

We found nothing misleading. Reel by @indianexpress

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@indianexpress

#ExpressInvestigation | SIR, which began in Bihar in June 2025, an otherwise routine clean-up of the rolls, has struck more than 13 crore names off the draft…

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🚩 What's concerning

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Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi formally objected 14 times, describing several major decisions taken without their knowledge as unauthorized and illegal.

"two of the three Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had formally recorded objections at least 14 times over the last 10 months. The two ECs said major decisions were being made in the name of the full Election…" The Hindu, 2026-09-23

Election Commission of India / CEC Gyanesh Kumar response: "Differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution. They are a part of the decision-making process before a final decision is take" India Today

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Centrally controlled software lacked a mechanism or rollback option to record ERO decisions, leaving 97 eligible voters off the final roll despite eight requests from the CEO's office.

"97 voters, found eligible by local Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) after a Supreme Court-mandated hearing, were left off the final roll because the centrally controlled software had no mechanism to record the EROs’ decisions. The…" The Hindu, 2026-09-27

What we checked

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Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi wrote notes stating they were not informed about decisions taken in the Commission's name.Rediff
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In Goa, 97 voters who were approved by local officers after hearings were left out of the final electoral roll.The Hindu
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Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi called ECI Net 'the gradual centralization of the electoral roll database' and asked for an audit.Scroll
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Special Information Roll clean-up (SIR) has struck 13 crore names off the draft voter rolls across 30 States and Union Territories.No reliable source found for this yet.
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In West Bengal, 16 lakh appeals were filed against judicial officers reinstating 33 lakh voters, mostly by the Election Commission under one officer's name.No reliable source found for this yet.

🧩 Connected

What each side says

Election Commission of India leadershipThe ECI stated that differing views are a normal part of institutional deliberations and the decision-making process. India Today
Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek JoshiThe commissioners raised concerns over database centralisation, lack of access for statutory authorities, and decisions taken without their knowledge. Scroll

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