DMK Moves Supreme Court Against SIR In Tamil Nadu, Accuses ECI Of Acting As Puppet

New Delhi: The DMK has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) approached the Top Court at a time when the state is set to witness state Assembly elections next year. The DMK alleged that the exercise is motivated by disenfranchising voters and undermining democracy.

The DMK's petition, filed by the party's organisation secretary RS Bharathi through senior advocate NR Elango, argues that the ECI's decision to conduct the SIR is arbitrary, unreasonable, and a colourable exercise of power. The party claimed that the exercise is being carried out without adequate notice to voters and without proper safeguards to prevent errors and irregularities.

Ahead of the state assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, the controversy surrounding the SIR has intensified with several political parties joining hands to oppose the ECI's decision. The DMK-led government in the state convened an all-party meeting on Sunday, which was attended by 44 parties, including several opposition parties. The meeting resolved to approach the Supreme Court against the ECI's decision, with Chief Minister MK Stalin accusing the poll body of acting as a "puppet" of the BJP-led Union government.

According to Stalin, the SIR is being carried out with the intent of snatching away the voting rights of the people of Tamil Nadu and murdering democracy. "It is the duty of all parties to unite and raise their voices against the SIR being hastily implemented with the intent of snatching away the voting rights of the people of Tamil Nadu and murdering democracy," Stalin posted on X.

The DMK has raised several concerns regarding the SIR, including the alleged lack of transparency and accountability in the process. The party has also pointed out that the exercise is being carried out despite the Apex Court not yet delivering its verdict on a similar case in Bihar. "The SIR is unacceptable... It should be conducted only after removing the shortcomings... and with adequate time after the 2026 Assembly elections," the resolution passed at the meeting said.

The ECI, on the other hand, has maintained that the SIR is necessary to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the electoral rolls. The poll body has informed the Madras High Court that Tamil Nadu will soon witness a special intensive revision of its electoral rolls in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections.

Several parties have accused the ECI of acting in favour of the ruling party at the Centre. The TVK, which did not attend the all-party meeting, has also opposed the SIR, terming it a "threat to democracy". "Earlier, when the notification for special intensive electoral roll revision was issued in Bihar, TVK strongly opposed it and warned about its underlying intent. Just as we cautioned then, lakhs of voters were removed from the rolls in Bihar," the party said.

Notably, the ECI had announced that it will conduct the second phase of SIR of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories, with the final voter list to be published on February 7, next year. The DMK's petition challenges the ECI's orders dated June 24 and October 27, which directed the conduct of SIR. The party argued that the ECI's decision amounts to constitutional overreach, as Article 324 of the Constitution of India vests the ECI with superintendence and control over elections, but only in fields unoccupied by legislation.