ECI Internal Tensions Exposed: 14 Notes Over 10 Months Between Commissioners Sandhu & Joshi
The Indian Express reveals a detailed timeline of 14 official notes exchanged between Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, highlighting serious administrative objections over the past ten months.
ECI Showcases Internal Disagreements: 14 Notes Reveal Friction Between Commissioners
The Indian Express has brought to light a significant series of official communications between two Election Commissioners of India — Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi — exposing a pattern of objections and dissent spanning over ten months.
Key Highlights of the 14 Notes
Five of the 14 notes were reportedly copied to the Chief Election Commissioner, indicating the seriousness of the disputes. Here is a breakdown of the major points of contention:
- Approval Issues: Several notes (dated Oct 28, 2025 and Apr 16, 2026) raised concerns about letters and orders being issued in the EC's name without full Commission approval.
- IT Modules Controversy: On Apr 16, 2026, a note highlighted that the Commissioner was unaware of new IT modules and portals being introduced from media sources rather than official channels.
- Foreign Travel Objections: On Apr 16, 2026, Commissioner Joshi objected to officers undertaking foreign trips without prior Commission approval.
- Work Redistribution Dispute: On Jul 29, 2025, Joshi raised concerns about the official redistributing work without the Commission's knowledge.
- Form-6 Alterations: On Aug 13, 2025, Sandhu described changes to Form-6 as 'unauthorised and illegal'.
- ECI Net System Access: On Aug 14, 2025, Sandhu noted that field officers cannot access the ECI Net system and that the DG(It) lacks the power to restrict it.
About the Two Commissioners
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu
Joined as Election Commissioner on March 15, 2024. A 1988-batch IAS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, he previously served as Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand (July 2021 – January 2024). He is also an MBBS graduate and holds a Master's in History from Guru Nanak Dev University.
Vivek Joshi
Joined as Election Commissioner on February 19, 2025. A 1989-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, he served as Chief Secretary of Haryana. He holds a PhD in International Economics from the Graduate Institute, Geneva, and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Roorkee University.
Why This Matters
This disclosure raises important questions about governance within the Election Commission of India and the balance of power among its members. The publication of these notes in The Indian Express marks a rare public window into the internal workings of one of India's most critical constitutional bodies.