Political parties reiterate their opinion on SIR at meeting chaired by CEO

By Admin

30 Oct, 2025

In a meeting chaired by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Archana Patnaik on Wednesday, representatives from recognised political parties gathered to express their views on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, recently announced by the Election Commission. The session witnessed a clear divide among Tamil Nadu’s major political players, reflecting differing perspectives on the timing and intent of the exercise.

DMK Questions the Timing

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) raised strong objections to the timing of the SIR exercise. Party leader R.S. Bharathi described the meeting as a “joke,” noting that the electoral rolls had already been frozen on October 27. While the DMK clarified it was not opposed to the revision itself, Bharathi alleged that the announcement was made in haste with “an ulterior motive,” given that elections are due in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry in a few months.

He highlighted that Tamil Nadu will face the Northeast monsoon in November and that many residents would be away during the December–January vacation, which could hinder the verification process. “Just like they stole voters in Bihar, they are trying to do it in Tamil Nadu,” Bharathi claimed, urging the Election Commission to postpone the SIR if it truly valued the views of political parties.

AIADMK Welcomes the Initiative

In contrast, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) expressed full support for the SIR. Party leader D. Jayakumar said his party welcomed the initiative but requested an extension of the timeframe. He emphasized that the SIR would help clean up the electoral rolls by removing the names of deceased voters and those who have moved out of their constituencies. Jayakumar also noted several instances where his party’s past efforts had led to similar cleanups.

When asked about attending a meeting on SIR called by DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Jayakumar said the decision would rest with the party leadership.

Congress Raises Concerns Over Urgency

The Indian National Congress, represented by K.V. Thangkabalu, reiterated its opposition to the SIR, questioning the urgency of conducting such an exercise just months before key State elections. Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s stance, Thangkabalu pointed out that an activity meant to be carried out over a year was being rushed in a few months. He also cited the monsoon season between November and January as a barrier to public participation, suggesting the exercise be postponed until after the elections.

BJP Backs the SIR as a Reform

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stood firmly in favor of the initiative. Party functionary Karu. Nagarajan hailed the SIR as a necessary reform measure, saying it would ensure genuine and updated electoral rolls free from the names of deceased or migrated voters.

“SIR has been conducted eight times in the country. This is a good opportunity for the people of Tamil Nadu,” Nagarajan said, urging public cooperation to make the process successful. He also noted that even some parties opposing the SIR were not against it in principle but merely sought more time for implementation.

Participation from Other Political Parties

Besides these major players, representatives from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India (Marxist), National People’s Party (NPP), Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), Communist Party of India (CPI), Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) also participated in the meeting and voiced their perspectives.

Conclusion

The meeting, chaired by CEO Archana Patnaik, showcased a spectrum of opinions reflecting the political complexity of electoral reforms in Tamil Nadu. While the AIADMK and BJP welcomed the SIR, parties like DMK and Congress questioned its timing and intent, suggesting a postponement to ensure fairness and public participation. The Election Commission is now expected to consider these views before finalizing the next steps in the revision process.