DMK and Allies Challenge Election Commission's Special Voter List Revision in Tamil Nadu

Chennai:

Following the Election Commission's announcement of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 states, including Tamil Nadu where elections are upcoming, the DMK and its coalition partners have accused the electoral body of acting with political intent. They have scheduled an all-party meeting for November 2 to determine their strategic response.

The alliance, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, issued a forceful resolution describing the SIR initiative as a "conspiracy to snatch away the voting rights of the people of Tamil Nadu." They compared the situation to the extensive voter removals that occurred in Bihar earlier this year.

The resolution referenced reliable information indicating that numerous voters were removed from Bihar's electoral rolls, with only a small percentage subsequently reinstated. According to their claims, these deletions disproportionately affected Muslim communities, Dalits, and women. The DMK expressed concerns that similar patterns could emerge in Tamil Nadu under the pretense of voter list corrections.

Additionally, the resolution highlighted the Supreme Court's recent instruction directing the Election Commission to accept Aadhaar as valid identification to protect legitimate voters—an order they claim the EC has failed to implement. "Why is the Election Commission refusing to accept Aadhaar as a complete document? Why not accept our demand to include family cards?" the alliance questioned, describing the electoral body's approach as "controversial and suspicious."

While clarifying their support for electoral roll revisions in principle, the DMK coalition criticized the timing and methodology as deeply problematic. They contended that conducting such a comprehensive exercise during November and December—the northeast monsoon period—was "impractical and ill-conceived," potentially creating difficulties for numerous voters now required to attach photographs and include downloaded copies of previous electoral rolls.

"Under the guise of SIR, we fear a repeat of the Bihar model of voter deletions. Tamil Nadu will not allow this," stated the resolution, calling for political unity against what they described as an "undemocratic move."

The AIADMK, which has recently restored its alliance with the BJP, endorsed the Election Commission's initiative, urging the body to conduct the SIR "in an orderly and transparent manner." The party suggested that the DMK was "only preparing excuses in advance for its defeat in the 2026 elections."

Separately, the DMK organized a workshop for over 3,000 election functionaries in Mamallapuram on Monday, where Chief Minister Stalin addressed strategies for the upcoming voter roll revision amid the SIR and the 2026 electoral contest.