The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday filed a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court in response to a plea challenging the functioning of the poll body, denying the allegations of unilateral decision-making by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The poll body also reiterated that Form 6 has not been amended, as only the Centre can amend it. The SIR declaration is a separate document, it told the top court. 

However, the poll body admitted that the online display could be read as an amendment. From October 21, the online application will be split into Form 6 and the declaration, as in the physical form, it said.

ALSO READ: 'Plea To Restrain CEC Gyanesh Kumar Not Maintainable As Newspaper Report Cannot Be Considered As Evidence': ECI Tells SC

Defending its decision to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the poll body said the exercise was undertaken in accordance with the law and the three orders on its roll-out were approved unanimously by the Commission's three members.

In its response to pleas alleging that the CEC took several decisions without the approval of the two election commissioners, including "changes" in Form 6 which is used for enrolling in the voter list, the ECI said the SIR drive was unanimously approved.

ALSO READ: Notes Or Queries Do Not Constitute A Decision Of Commission: ECI Tells SC On Dissent Row

The poll panel said the SIR orders issued on June 24, 2025, October 27, 2025, and May 14, 2026, were approved unanimously by the Commission's three members, the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.

Newspaper Reports Are Not Considered As Evidence: ECI

The poll panel said that the CEC cannot be retrained from functioning as newspaper reports are not considered as evidence in the eyes of law.

Earlier on October 5, the top court said it will examine all decisions of the EC and annul those found not to be in accordance with law, as it issued notices to the Centre and the poll body.

The pleas were filed after Indian Express reported on September 25 that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on record at least 14 times over the last 10 months to decisions and orders on SIR of electoral rolls that they said were issued without their knowledge or recommendation.

(With PTI inputs)