Speaking at the India Today Mumbai Conclave, former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa and former Chief Election Commissioner O. P. Rawat raised critical concerns over the recent conduct of the Election Commission of India and its Special Intensive Revision process. Ashok Lavasa argued that modifying Form 6 without obtaining government approval exceeded the poll body's legal powers, asserting that the Commission lacked the competence to alter the rules.
Both former commissioners also addressed the issue of voter exclusions in West Bengal. They noted that statutory procedures outlined under the Representation of the People Act of 1950 mandate relying on previous electoral rolls whenever revisions are left incomplete.
Addressing the broader topic of institutional transparency, O. P. Rawat emphasized that Election Commissioners must remain completely objective and do not require special statutory immunity to perform their duties fairly, questioning the necessity of such protections when officials operate above board.
The former officials additionally examined several technical and administrative aspects of the electoral system, including centralized voter management software, executive panels responsible for selections, and the ongoing maintenance of public trust in electoral integrity.