Chennai, Nov 11 (NationPress) The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alongside its allies in the Secular Progressive Alliance initiated a series of protests across the state on Tuesday against the Election Commission of India's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They claim that this initiative is politically driven and threatens the democratic rights of voters in Tamil Nadu.

DMK President and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin emphasized in a potent message on X that "our primary obligation is to halt the SIR."

He stated that the party is engaged in both legal and grassroots efforts, asserting that the SIR is intended to "usurp the vital right to vote that is the foundation of democracy."

"We are waging a dual battle against the risks posed by the SIR, while simultaneously establishing a war room and helpline to address any irregularities in the already initiated process," Stalin wrote.

Members of the DMK and its allies—including Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)—took to the streets carrying placards and chanting slogans, rallying the public to "defend democracy by opposing the SIR."

Party officials expressed concerns that the revision process might be exploited to delete or alter legitimate voter records, especially in areas strong in opposition.

Protests occurred in front of taluk offices, municipal buildings, and collectorates, where speakers urged the Election Commission to "stop the process until transparency and fairness are guaranteed."

The DMK has also established district-level monitoring teams to gather public complaints and liaise with legal teams to submit appeals to the Election Commission.

Party leaders reiterated their commitment to pursuing both legal avenues and public campaigns until the ECI either retracted or amended the revision process.

"Our members from the Secular Progressive Alliance have taken to the streets today with placards and chants against this significant threat. Let us persist in our endeavors to safeguard our people's right to vote," Stalin concluded.

Tuesday's coordinated protests marked the first significant state-wide mobilization by the DMK and its allies in anticipation of the 2026 Assembly elections, indicating that the controversy surrounding voter roll revision may evolve into a pivotal political topic in the upcoming months.