Himanta Biswa Sarma warned that the Election Commission’s authority could be eroded if the Chief Election Commissioner acts without the consent of his colleagues. He said, "The EC cannot take any decision when the CEC is in the minority; it must always be a consensus, collective and majority decision." The remark follows a pattern of public critiques that the CEC has faced from opposition leaders, who argue that his rulings favor certain parties.
In the same press briefing, Sarma highlighted Assam’s wildlife conservation success, noting that the state has recorded zero rhino poaching incidents for the past three years. He compared this to the 40‑45 rhinos killed annually during the previous Congress administration, citing official records that some cases may have gone unreported.
The chief minister also addressed education reforms, welcoming constructive suggestions from the Cockroach Janata Party. He urged the state to distribute teachers more evenly across rural districts, emphasizing that educational and healthcare ideas should be evaluated without political bias.
Following Sarma’s statements, the Election Commission released a formal response affirming its commitment to collective decision‑making. Chairperson Gyanesh Kumar said the commission operates on a consensus basis and that no single member may unilaterally alter election outcomes.
Opposition parties have already denounced the commission’s recent rulings, claiming they favor the ruling party’s interests. The commission’s clarified stance is expected to be debated in its upcoming procedural review meeting scheduled for late July, a week before the next general election.