Chirag Paswan’s Message To Election Commission: ‘Clear The Air’ As Questions Mount Over Poll Process

New Delhi: Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday called on the Election Commission of India (ECI), particularly Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, to clearly present its position amid growing questions over the poll panel’s functioning and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan said that when questions are being raised about the electoral process, it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to explain its position firmly. He stressed that the larger concern was maintaining public confidence in elections and ensuring that doubts do not take root among voters.

Paswan’s remarks came against the backdrop of reports alleging that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections or raised concerns on multiple occasions over a period of around 10 months in matters linked to the SIR exercise and related decisions. Reports said the two commissioners had raised objections at least 14 times between October 2025 and August 2026.

The developments have intensified an already heated political dispute surrounding CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded Kumar’s resignation, while opposition parties have questioned aspects of the Election Commission’s handling of the electoral roll revision process. Opposition leaders have also discussed parliamentary action against the CEC.

The Election Commission, however, has rejected the interpretation that differences expressed during its internal deliberations amount to institutional dissent. The poll body has maintained that questions, suggestions and differing views among members are part of the normal decision making process of a multi member constitutional institution. It has also said that final decisions, including those concerning SIR, were taken unanimously.

Paswan, who is part of the government and heads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), said he would not defend an individual merely because he is part of the government. Instead, he emphasised that the Election Commission is an independent constitutional body and should address concerns about its functioning directly.

The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the transparency of the SIR exercise and the Election Commission’s internal decision making. The poll panel has continued to maintain that its actions are governed by the relevant legal framework.

With political parties continuing to trade allegations and the Commission defending its procedures, the focus now is on how the ECI responds publicly to the questions surrounding its internal deliberations and electoral roll revision process.

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