DMK has taken the dispute over voter list revisions in Tamil Nadu to the Supreme Court, arguing that the Election Commission’s current drive risks eliminating legitimate voters ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party claims that the Special Intense Revision of electoral rolls has been launched without proper safeguards, sufficient time, or a transparent verification process, creating a high possibility that thousands of residents could be wrongly removed from the rolls.
The petition, filed by DMK organisational secretary R S Bharathi, states that the procedure lacks clear guidelines, imposes burdensome documentation demands, and accelerates deadlines in a manner that denies voters a fair opportunity to confirm their status. According to the DMK, these factors combine to produce an unreliable verification exercise that could undermine democratic participation and disturb the constitutional guarantee of free and fair elections.
Chief Minister M K Stalin has strongly criticised the revision. He accused the Election Commission of attempting to replicate what he described as a politically motivated move conducted in Bihar. Stalin said that the strategy appears targeted at removing “true voters” before the polls. He argued that the timing and method point to a deliberate effort to influence the electoral environment rather than a routine administrative update.
Stalin recalled earlier protests when similar concerns were raised in Bihar, saying that leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, took prominent roles in opposing the revision exercise. The Chief Minister noted that Tamil Nadu was among the first states to voice concern during that episode and suggested that the same pattern is now being repeated.
He also referred to the all-party meeting recently convened by the DMK in Tamil Nadu to discuss the matter. Though not all political groups attended, Stalin said the majority supported a resolution condemning the Election Commission’s decision. He pointed out that even parties traditionally in opposition to the DMK, including the AIADMK, have publicly expressed reservations. Stalin remarked that AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami was not willing to openly challenge the directive because of expected pressure linked to the BJP.
Criticising the central leadership, Stalin said the BJP was attempting to use electoral mechanisms in Tamil Nadu after failing to secure similar outcomes elsewhere. He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent campaign speeches and argued that the remarks targeted Tamil Nadu unfairly. Stalin asserted that such statements were divisive and challenged the Prime Minister to repeat them while visiting the state.
The DMK now seeks judicial intervention to pause the revision and ensure that established electoral procedures are followed. The Supreme Court’s decision will determine whether the Election Commission must modify or halt the process before elections take place.
