Archive · 4 Nov 2025
Tamil Nadu Parties to Challenge Electoral Roll Revision in Supreme Court
Many political leaders in Tamil Nadu met together because they are worried about a special way the Election Commission is updating voter lists.
They think this process, called SIR, is being done too quickly and could cause many people to lose their right to vote.
Some leaders even said it's like trying to do a hidden national census of citizens.
They have decided to ask the highest court, the Supreme Court, to stop this process.
They also plan to tell everyone in the state about their concerns.
One politician, actor Vijay, and his party were not at this meeting.
His party also thinks the process is bad, but they criticized the main leaders for not doing something similar in their state's assembly.
They also pointed out that a similar process in another state, Bihar, led to many names being removed from the voter list.
The Election Commission plans to publish the final list by February 2026.
49 political parties in Tamil Nadu, led by CM M.K. Stalin, resolved to approach the Supreme Court against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Parties allege the SIR is being hastily implemented to disenfranchise voters and amounts to an indirect NRC, aiming to 'murder democracy'.
CM Stalin expressed thanks to the participating parties and urged those absent to discuss the SIR and take initiatives to protect democracy.
Actor Vijay's party, TVK, while opposing the SIR, criticized the ruling DMK for not passing a similar resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The ECI will conduct the SIR in 12 States and Union Territories, with the final voter list to be published by February 7, 2026.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and 49 political parties.
- What
- Resolved to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging it is designed to disenfranchise voters and 'murder democracy'.
- When
- Sunday (meeting); ECI's SIR final list publication by February 7, 2026.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, India and 11 other States/Union Territories.
- Why
- The parties believe the SIR is being hastily implemented with the intent to snatch away voting rights, comparing it to an indirect NRC. They were dissatisfied that the ECI did not agree to their demand for the revision to be conducted after the 2026 general elections.
DMK-led Alliance & Other Parties' Stance
Actor Vijay's TVK Party's Stance
Action on SIR and Timing
DMK-led Alliance & Other Parties' Stance
Resolved to approach the Supreme Court to halt the SIR, demanding it be conducted after the 2026 general elections with adequate time and no issues. They believe the ECI should not proceed with SIR until the court issues its final order.
Actor Vijay's TVK Party's Stance
Opposes the SIR exercise and highlighted that a similar process in Bihar led to the removal of lakhs of voters, including minorities. Criticized the DMK for not passing a resolution against SIR in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, unlike the Kerala government.
Allegations against ECI and Process
DMK-led Alliance & Other Parties' Stance
Alleges the SIR is being hastily implemented with the intent to snatch voting rights and is an indirect NRC, aiming to 'murder democracy'. Accused absent parties of being in the BJP alliance.
Actor Vijay's TVK Party's Stance
Warned about the hidden motives of the SIR, referencing the Bihar situation where opposition parties alleged targeted deletions. Noted that a case regarding the SIR is already pending in the Supreme Court.
Participation in Meetings
DMK-led Alliance & Other Parties' Stance
Criticized parties like TVK for not attending the all-party meeting, suggesting they do not want to antagonize the BJP.
Actor Vijay's TVK Party's Stance
Did not attend the all-party meeting convened by Stalin but issued a statement condemning the SIR. Expressed confusion on why the DMK has not passed an assembly resolution against SIR.
- Event
- All-party meeting convened by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to discuss the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
- Date of Meeting
- Sunday
- Attending Parties
- 49 political parties, including DMK, CPI(M), and others aligned with the Chief Minister.
- Absent Parties
- AIADMK, BJP, and TVK (Actor Vijay's party) did not attend.
- Resolution Concerns
- The SIR is alleged to be a hastily implemented exercise with the intent to disenfranchise voters, amounting to an indirect NRC, and to 'murder democracy'.
- Proposed Action
- Resolve to approach the Supreme Court to halt the SIR process. A legal battle will be waged, and the matter will be taken to the people.
- SIR Schedule
- Second phase of SIR to be conducted in 12 States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu. Final voter list to be published on February 7, 2026.
- ECI Statement
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated the SIR is proceeding in 12 States and Union Territories, with the final list by February 7, 2026.
Sources
Count them in: SIR purpose is accuracy, not contraction of electoral rolls - Telegraph India
MK Stalin Leads All-Party Meet Against Voter Roll Revision In Tamil Nadu
‘Calculated strategy to eliminate genuine voters’: Stalin slams EC’s timing of voter roll revision
Stalin-led meeting of parties decides to approach SC against SIR in Tamil Nadu
Vijay Accuses DMK of Deceitful Drama over SIR, Says It’s a Poll Strategy
Tamil Nadu CM-led multi-party meeting to approach Supreme Court against SIR
SIR exercise like pouring carbolic acid in snake pits to expose infiltrators: Suvendu Adhikari
44 parties decide to move Supreme Court against SIR after meeting chaired by Tamil Nadu CM Stalin
TN Parties Resolve to Move SC Against SIR Before Polls
