In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency and streamlining administrative processes, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a series of major reforms. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held a high-level meeting on Saturday to address recent controversies and implement structural changes. The commission has decided that the agenda for all future meetings will be released in advance, and the details of the proceedings will be made public to ensure accountability.
Transparency in Decision Making
The Election Commission has emphasized that the agenda for its meetings will no longer be confidential. By circulating the agenda beforehand, the commission aims to provide clarity on the issues being discussed, while On top of that, the minutes of these meetings will be officially released, allowing for a transparent record of the decision-making process. This step is seen as a response to recent debates surrounding the internal functioning of the poll body. The commission believes that making the proceedings public will strengthen the trust of the stakeholders and the general public in the electoral process.
Strict Rules for Foreign Travel and Discipline
Another major decision taken during the meeting pertains to the foreign travel of election officials. The commission has mandated that any official associated with the ECI must obtain prior approval before undertaking any foreign trip. No official will be allowed to travel abroad without explicit permission from the commission. Also, the commission has directed that all instructions issued by the Election Commissioners to the officials must be strictly followed. This move is intended to maintain administrative discipline and ensure that the focus remains on the core responsibilities of the commission.
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and Voter Outreach
The commission discussed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in detail. To assist voters who received notices due to unmapped status or logical errors during the SIR process, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been directed to visit their homes. The BLOs will personally collect the necessary documents and upload them to the ECINet portal, while this initiative ensures that voters don't have to visit the ERO or AERO offices for hearings, except in specific cases where the ERO deems it necessary. In such cases, hearings will be conducted online, and any adult member of the voter's family can participate. The commission is also working on improving the online hearing facilities.
Revised Deadlines for Delhi and Maharashtra
Following requests from the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of Delhi and Maharashtra, the commission has extended the deadlines for filing claims and objections related to the SIR process. In Delhi, the deadline for filing claims and objections has been extended to 30 October 2026, with the disposal deadline set for 30 November 2026. For Maharashtra, the deadline for claims and objections is now 12 October 2026, and the disposal deadline is 10 November 2026. These extensions are intended to provide ample time for voters to rectify any discrepancies in the electoral rolls.
IT Infrastructure and Performance Appraisal
The commission has decided to review the ECINet portal to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. A committee chaired by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) and including independent experts from IIT and IIIT will conduct this review. Any new IT-related projects will now require approval from the Committee of Officers (COO) after thorough discussion. Plus, the commission has set a strict deadline for the completion of the Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) for all officials, which must be finished by 31 December every year.
Clarifications on Cabinet Secretary Letter and SIR Consensus
The Election Commission clarified its position regarding a letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary. The commission stated that the letter wasn't related to any policy matter of the ECI or its IT division but concerned the functioning of a specific officer on deputation. The commission also noted that the work distribution orders issued by the concerned officer weren't implemented following instructions from two commissioners. Regarding the SIR process, the commission reiterated that the decision to conduct SIR across all states and UTs was taken unanimously on 24 June 2025. The process began in Bihar and was subsequently extended to West Bengal and 30 other states and UTs. The Supreme Court upheld this process in its order dated 27 May 2026. The commission also highlighted that in Goa, BLOs have been instructed to contact 97 identified missing voters, 81 of whom have already filled Form 6.