# BJP allies back EC after dissent row over voter list revision

2026-09-26T18:11:17+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 5 independent outlets

The Election Commission has issued a clarification asserting that all key decisions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were taken unanimously. This follows a report in The Indian Express stating that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded objections to decisions taken in the commission's name at least 14 times over 10 months. The opposition Congress has demanded the chief election commissioner's resignation. BJP allies who had earlier sought clarity, including the TDP, LJP (Ram Vilas) and RLM, have now backed the EC. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called the clarification a "unanimous" statement that "puts to rest all the misconceptions" and reaffirms the integrity of constitutional institutions. LJP chief Chirag Paswan said the CEC should present his stance to the public, not to Rahul Gandhi. Naidu criticised attempts to "undermine confidence" in India's democratic framework for "short-term political gains" and urged leaders to accept electoral verdicts with grace. The EC's statement was an attempt to project unity after the controversy.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Coverage is uniformly neutral, with all outlets reporting the sequence: an Indian Express story triggered opposition protests, BJP allies sought clarity, then the EC issued a statement and the allies backed it. The Hindu and Deccan Herald carry Naidu's statement in full, while NDTV notes Congress's unanswered questions. None of the outlets independently verify the dissent claims or examine the SIR process. The real development to watch is whether Congress or other parties produce evidence of the alleged objections recorded by the two election commissioners. The EC's unity assertion has not been challenged by any new document.

## Coverage

- ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cec-gyanesh-kumar-election-commission-as-poll-body-chief-comes-under-fire-3-bjp-allies-call-for-clarification-12100348#publisher=newsstand>
  Summarises BJP support and Congress questions neutrally.
- ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/election-commissions-note-settles-row-says-bjp-congress-lists-unanswered-questions-12102630>
  Summarises BJP support and Congress questions neutrally.
- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/reaffirms-integrity-credibility-tdp-chief-welcomes-unanimous-ec-clarification-day-after-bjp-allies-appeal-101790434056020.html>
  Reports Naidu's support and opposition criticism without slant.
- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ecs-unanimous-clarification-on-sir-exercise-puts-to-rest-all-misconceptions-says-ap-chief-minister-chandrababu-naidu/article71513295.ece>
  Reports Naidu's statement verbatim, no editorial comment.
- newindianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2026/Sep/26/cm-chandrababu-backs-eci-says-sir-clarification-reaffirms-credibility-of-constitutional-institutions>
  Reports Naidu's backing of EC, no independent analysis.
- ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/election-commissions-note-settles-row-says-bjp-congress-lists-unanswered-questions-12102630#publisher=newsstand>
  Summarises BJP support and Congress questions neutrally.
- deccanherald.com (neutral report) <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/nda-allies-rally-behind-ec-after-its-fresh-statement-on-sir-row-shift-from-calls-for-greater-transparency-4161009>
  Quotes Naidu's full statement, no editorial framing.
- deccanherald.com (neutral report) <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/andhra-pradesh/ec-clarification-puts-to-rest-all-misconceptions-surrounding-sir-nda-ally-naidu-4161059>
  Quotes Naidu's full statement, no editorial framing.

Tags: Election Commission of India, Gyanesh Kumar, N Chandrababu Naidu, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, TDP, Vivek Joshi
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