Sarma dismisses ECI rift claims as political maneuver

Sarma emphasized that the commission operates as a collective entity where all final orders require either consensus or a majority vote. Citing Article 324 of the Constitution and the 2023 Act governing election commissioners, he noted that the Chief Election Commissioner lacks the legal authority to overrule the two other commissioners if they stand in opposition. According to the Chief Minister, any attempt to frame the CEC as an authoritarian figure contradicts the established legal mechanics of the institution.

The defense follows media reports suggesting persistent disagreements between the CEC and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi regarding the Special Intensive Revision process. While some outlets point to internal correspondence and repeated objections as evidence of a rift, Sarma maintains that preliminary deliberations should not be confused with the final, legally binding outcomes of the commission. Beyond national election oversight, the Chief Minister confirmed that upcoming elections for the Mising and Sonowal Autonomous Councils in November will proceed on a party-less basis.