'Illegal' Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi's Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIR

The Election Commission of India is under scrutiny over reported objections raised by Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls. According to a report by The Indian Express, the two Commissioners recorded at least 14 objections over 10 months on issues including IT restrictions, voter registration, Form 6, electoral-roll database access and the filing of appeals. Joshi objected to changes proposed in Form 6, while Sandhu later described the change as “unauthorised and illegal.” Joshi also raised concerns over the “gradual centralisation” of the electoral-roll database. Sandhu questioned access to ERO Net for Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and Electoral Registration Officers. The sequence of reported objections continued through August, before the Commission’s first full meeting in four months on September 9.