Will TN Political Parties Approach the Supreme Court if ECI Does Not Halt the SIR Drive?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The SIR process is under scrutiny for potential voter deletions.
- Over 40 political parties are united against the ECI's actions.
- Chief Minister M. K. Stalin emphasizes protecting democracy.
- The Supreme Court may be called upon if issues remain unaddressed.
- Transparency in electoral processes is crucial for public trust.
Chennai, Nov 2 (NationPress) The political parties of Tamil Nadu have raised a collective alarm, stating that they will seek intervention from the Supreme Court if the Election Commission of India (ECI) does not halt the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which they claim may result in widespread voter deletions.
This resolution emerged from an all-party gathering led by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin held at a venue in T. Nagar.
Over 40 political entities participated in this meeting, calling for an immediate cessation of the ongoing SIR process across Tamil Nadu and other states until there are clear instructions and adequate time for verification.
Although invitations were extended to approximately 60 parties, more than 20, including the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) headed by actor Vijay, PMK, and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), chose to boycott the assembly.
Chief Minister Stalin emphasized that the gathering aimed to safeguard democracy and uphold the voting rights of the populace.
Quoting the situation in Bihar, where Assembly elections are set for November 6 and 11, he claimed that the Election Commission’s special voter-list revision there led to the removal of thousands of names, particularly affecting minority and marginalized communities.
“What transpired in Bihar must not recur in Tamil Nadu. The electorate's voting rights should never be compromised,” he asserted.
While recognizing the need for updating electoral rolls to ensure fair elections, Stalin expressed concerns regarding the timing and methodology of the SIR initiative.
“Executing a comprehensive revision just months before elections appears to be a deliberate strategy to eliminate authentic voters under the guise of list cleansing,” he remarked.
The all-party resolution insisted that the Election Commission rectify inconsistencies in its notification, comply with Supreme Court directives, and perform voter-list revisions transparently only after the 2026 Assembly elections.
The meeting highlighted that the current form of the SIR process poses a significant risk to the democratic framework.
“If the Commission moves forward without addressing these issues, we will have no alternative but to seek judicial recourse,” the resolution warned.