Concerning the OER, we show that all CoSe2 catalysts undergo similar restructuring into high-valent CoO2 species with rich structural disorders, serving as the real catalytically active species. On the other hand, our operando results also reveal that the surface oxidized oxyanion species experience complete leaching into the electrolyte prior to the OER, indicating that they do not play a role in the OER. This conclusion is further evident from electrochemical characterization with reference o-P-CoSe2 catalysts. Caution needs to be exercised that precise unveiling of the dynamics of the local electronic structures of the oxidized anionic components (i.e. SOx -and SOx -) during the HER/OER processes still needs to be addressed in future related studies. In this context, we believe that operando spectroelectrochemical investigations focusing on the local coordination geometries of the anionic species are essential.