Assam CM Himanta Backs CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Calls Charges a Political Campaign

Himanta Biswa Sarma Defends CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, September 24, 2026, defended Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid the ongoing political controversy surrounding the Election Commission of India.

Sarma dismissed allegations of irregularities against Kumar as a "political campaign", arguing that the CEC cannot independently take decisions without the involvement of the other Election Commissioners.

Sarma Says ECI Decisions Are Collective

Sarma said the Election Commission is a three-member constitutional body and that decisions are taken collectively.

According to him, a final decision of the poll panel must be based on either consensus or the majority view. He argued that the suggestion that the CEC had taken decisions unilaterally did not fit with the constitutional structure of the Election Commission.

'Political Campaign' Against Gyanesh Kumar

Sarma characterised the targeting of Gyanesh Kumar as a political campaign.

He said criticism of the CEC reflected the Opposition's frustration and questioned allegations that Kumar had acted without consulting the other Election Commissioners. His comments were made in the context of the ongoing political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Reports of Objections by Two Election Commissioners

The controversy intensified following a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over a period of around 10 months.

The reported concerns involved electoral-roll management, including voter additions and deletions, restoration of names, changes to Form 6 and the handling or centralisation of electoral-roll data.

Sarma Says Differences Can Occur During Deliberations

The Assam Chief Minister acknowledged that officials and members of an institution can have different views during the process of considering a decision.

He compared such differences to discussions within the government, where officials may record different observations before a final decision is taken. Sarma said that what matters is the final decision of the Commission after deliberation.

Election Commission Defends Its Decision-Making Process

The Election Commission has said that differences of opinion, written observations and suggestions are normal parts of deliberation in a multi-member constitutional institution.

The ECI stated that its decisions during the relevant period were taken unanimously and emphasised that the Commission functions under Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory rules and established institutional procedures.

Supreme Court Plea Adds to Controversy

The controversy has also reached the Supreme Court, where a petition has sought action against Gyanesh Kumar over alleged unilateral decisions concerning electoral-roll management.

The petition alleges that decisions involving Form 6, electoral-roll databases and the SIR process were taken without the required concurrence. It has also sought investigation into allegations concerning the deletion of voters. These are claims made in the petition and have not been established by a court.

SIR at the Centre of the Dispute

The wider controversy is linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Opposition parties have raised allegations concerning voter deletions and changes to electoral-roll procedures, while the Election Commission has maintained that the exercise follows the applicable legal and institutional framework.

The ECI has specifically rejected the suggestion that internal observations reported during the process indicate that final decisions were taken without the Commission's collective approval.

Political Reactions Continue

Sarma's defence of the CEC comes as Opposition parties continue to demand accountability from the Election Commission.

The controversy has generated protests and political statements in several states, with different parties taking opposing positions on the SIR process and the functioning of the poll panel.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, has maintained that its final decisions were unanimous and that internal deliberations are part of normal institutional checks and balances.

Key Takeaways

• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma defended CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

• Sarma described allegations against Kumar as a "political campaign."

• He said ECI decisions are taken collectively through consensus or majority opinion.

• Reports said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections on multiple occasions.

• The reported objections involved electoral-roll management and Form 6.

• The Election Commission said differing views are a normal part of institutional deliberations.

• The ECI maintained that its final decisions during the relevant period were unanimous.

• A petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court raising allegations concerning SIR-related decisions.

• The dispute remains linked to the wider political controversy over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.