India, Sept. 27 -- The Election Commission's latest SIR clarification drew sharply divided political reactions on Saturday. The Congress demanded a suspension, while BJP allies said the statement addressed concerns they raised a day earlier.

The poll panel said all SIR orders had unanimous approval from its three members. It said the Supreme Court had upheld changes linked to Form 6.

The Commission said letters from Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to the Cabinet Secretary concerned an officer on deputation. It said they did not concern policy or the Commission's IT division.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh described the Commission as being in "damage control". He said the press note did not directly...