Will CM Stalin Address DMK District Secretaries Today Amid Draft Voter List Controversy in TN?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CM M.K. Stalin will address DMK district secretaries via video conference.
- The draft electoral roll revision has led to the removal of 97.37 lakh names.
- The DMK is concerned about the impact of mass deletions on voter participation.
- This issue may become a pivotal political flashpoint ahead of the 2026 elections.
- Stakeholders are urged to engage in dialogue to ensure electoral integrity.
Chennai, Dec 21 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, is set to conduct a video conference with DMK district secretaries this Sunday evening. This meeting comes as the party ramps up its reaction to the release of the draft electoral roll that followed the state's Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Slated for 6 p.m., the gathering will include district secretaries, MPs, MLAs, and zonal observers. DMK General Secretary Durai Murugan has instructed all participants to attend without fail.
The SIR was carried out in preparation for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Polling station officers began distributing voter application and correction forms to residents from early November. Initially, the deadline for submitting these forms was set for December 4, but it was subsequently extended twice—to December 11 and then to December 14—to promote broader participation and ensure precise verification.
On December 19, following the fieldwork, the Election Commission unveiled the draft electoral roll. Officials reported that this revision resulted in the removal of 97.37 lakh names from the voter list, including those of deceased individuals, residents who have moved, and entries considered ineligible.
The Commission has emphasized that this process is intended to enhance transparency, eliminate duplications, and fortify the integrity of the voter rolls ahead of a significant election year. However, the ruling DMK has voiced strong objections to the scale and nature of the revisions, labeling the process as flawed and potentially harmful to legitimate voters.
The party claims that widespread deletions may disproportionately affect specific regions and communities, consequently hindering democratic participation.
CM Stalin's meeting is expected to center on devising the DMK's strategy, which will include plans to officially contest the deletions, review the changes at the constituency level, and prepare for discussions with the Election Commission.
This issue is likely to become a pivotal political flashpoint as the Assembly elections approach.
With nearly one crore names struck off the rolls and the claims and objections process still ongoing, the final electoral list will be released after further examination.
These developments highlight the escalating political tensions in Tamil Nadu, where discussions surrounding voter eligibility, electoral transparency, and the SIR revision are set to take center stage as the 2026 elections draw nearer.