Debate With Arnab: ECI Hits Back In Supreme Court, Says 'All 3 SIR Orders Were Unanimous'

Breaking News: The Election Commission of India has filed a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court responding to a plea challenging Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s functioning. The ECI says the petition is based entirely on a single news report and maintains that all three SIR orders were unanimously approved.

In its affidavit, the Commission says the Special Intensive Revision orders issued in June 2025, October 2025 and May 2026 were collective decisions. It adds that the counter-affidavit itself was approved unanimously by the CEC and both Election Commissioners.

Key points from the ECI’s response:

- Internal remarks, questions and suggestions do not constitute final Commission decisions.

- Files move through both Election Commissioners before reaching the CEC. Urgent approvals are obtained electronically and recorded later.

- The July 28 work-allocation order was not implemented after the two Election Commissioners’ joint direction.

- No confidential internal notes or files were authorised for release to the media.

- Of 97 voters allegedly left out in Goa, the ECI says 88 were already enrolled, six were abroad and three held Portuguese passports.

- The Commission maintains that Form 6 has not been amended and that the SIR declaration is a separate document.

Watch the breakdown of the ECI’s submissions, its response to the allegations and the questions before the Supreme Court.

The affidavit presents the Commission’s position, not a final ruling by the Supreme Court.