When The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row

India’s Election Commission is facing questions over reported differences among its three members, with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly raising objections to decisions on electoral rolls, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), voter-data access and communications issued in the Commission’s name. The controversy raises broader questions about how decisions are authorised inside the multi-member body, how disagreements are resolved and who controls the voter database. The Election Commission has said differences of opinion are natural and that final decisions had the approval of all three commissioners. The issue also comes amid a Supreme Court hearing on the appointment of Election Commissioners. This explainer breaks down 10 key questions, from internal dissent and majority decisions to voter-roll software, SIR and the safeguards surrounding electoral administration.