CEC cannot take decisions unilaterally, Election Commission works by majority: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, September 24 defended Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid criticism of the Election Commission, saying decisions of the poll panel are taken collectively and cannot be made unilaterally by the CEC.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sarma said the Election Commission, as a collective body, takes decisions on the basis of consensus or a majority opinion. He said it would not be in keeping with the constitutional framework to suggest that the Chief Election Commissioner could take a decision independently of the other Election Commissioners.

“In my humble view, the Election Commission cannot take any decision when the Chief Election Commissioner or any other Election Commissioner is in the minority. Every decision of the Election Commission has to be passed or taken by a majority because it is a collective body,” Sarma said.

He said discussions among the members of the Commission before a decision is taken were a separate matter, but once a decision is made, it has to reflect either consensus or the majority view.

“Sending a message across the country that the Chief Election Commissioner has taken a decision unilaterally does not fit into the constitutional scheme,” he said.

Sarma also rejected the criticism directed at the CEC, describing it as part of a political campaign by the Opposition.

“I don't think, factually, that the Chief Election Commissioner can take any decision without consulting the other two Election Commissioners. Therefore, targeting the Chief Election Commissioner only shows the frustration of the Opposition and 'Dimagi Naxals',” he said.

The Election Commission is a three-member body comprising the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. The ECI's current directory lists Gyanesh Kumar as CEC and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as Election Commissioners.

Sarma's remarks come amid criticism of the poll panel and its handling of electoral processes, with the Election Commission currently overseeing the 2026 electoral exercise, including the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.