Of 38.31 lakh appeals before the West Bengal tribunals, 16.10 lakh sought deletion of electors whom judicial officers had kept on the roll; the Commission did not say who filed them. In August 2026 Election Commissioner Sandhu wrote asking who had authorised and who had actually filed appeals on the Commission's behalf, recording that neither he, Joshi nor the current West Bengal CEO had been told.

30 Jul 2026REPORTED

Two Commissioners jointly set aside the 28 July work allocation order

Sandhu and Joshi jointly set aside Garg's order as made without reason or justification, directing that the previous work allocation continue until the Commission reached consensus. The note went to Garg and was copied to the CEC. The three Commissioners then met on 9 September, their first full meeting in four months.

Jul 2026REPORTED

2025

12 Dec 2025DOCUMENT

Special Roll Observers appointed for SIR in eight large states

The Commission appointed Special Roll Observers for the SIR in eight states, to be present two days a week until final rolls in February 2026 and to meet parties, CEOs and DEOs.

11 Dec 2025DOCUMENT

Enumeration extended again in six states/UTs; UP draft moved to 31 December

On requests from their CEOs, the Commission extended enumeration in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat (draft 19 December), Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andaman & Nicobar (draft 23 December) and Uttar Pradesh (draft 31 December 2025). Kerala's schedule had already been moved to a 23 December draft. Goa, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan and West Bengal kept the 16 December draft date.

10 Dec 2025DOCUMENT

2024

20 Dec 2024DOCUMENT

Rule 93 amended to limit public inspection to papers 'specified in these rules'

On the Commission's recommendation, the Law Ministry notified the Conduct of Elections (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024 (S.O. 5517(E)). It inserted 'as specified in these rules' after 'papers' in Rule 93(2)(a), which narrowed public inspection and in effect excluded CCTV, webcasting and video records. Scroll reports the Commission proposed the change on 17 December, eight days after the High Court order, and the Gazette copy is digitally signed at 10:23 pm on 20 December.

Before and after → (Verbatim)

2023

28 Dec 2023DOCUMENT

Sections 5, 6, 8: Law Minister's search panel; committee may look beyond it

A search committee headed by the Law Minister with two Secretary-rank members prepares a panel of five. Only serving or retired Secretary-rank officers 'of integrity' with election experience are eligible. The selection committee regulates its own procedure 'in a transparent manner' and may pick someone not on the panel.

28 Dec 2023DOCUMENT

Section 16: courts barred from proceedings over commissioners' official acts

No court may entertain or continue civil or criminal proceedings against a serving or former CEC or EC for anything done or said in, or purporting to be in, the discharge of official duty. The clause was added by government amendment in the Rajya Sabha; it was not in the bill as introduced.

28 Dec 2023DOCUMENT

1993

1 Oct 1993DOCUMENT

Predecessor rule: 1991 Act Section 10 already required unanimity or majority

Before 2024, Section 10 of the 1991 Act, inserted with effect from 1 October 1993, provided that the Commission allocate business only by unanimous decision, transact business unanimously as far as possible, and otherwise decide by majority. The 1991 Act also fixed a six-year term and pay equal to a Supreme Court judge, but was silent on how commissioners were chosen.

Rule changes

Rule changes

Before and after

2026

2025

2024

2023

1993

Before and after

2026

2025

2024

2023

1993

SIR phase 2 ordered in 12 states and UTs, qualifying date 1.1.2026

SIR phase 2 ordered in 12 states and UTs, qualifying date 1.1.2026