In a significant move concerning the integrity of the electoral process, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin has formally urged President Droupadi Murmu to initiate action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The request, communicated through a letter, seeks to address the controversial deletion of 97.37 lakh voters from Tamil Nadu’s electoral rolls during the 2025 Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Mr. Stalin has requested that the President refer the matter to both Houses of Parliament. He argued that when other Election Commissioners have reportedly claimed that certain decisions were reached without their consultation—labeling them as "unauthorised and illegal"—it signals a critical need for institutional oversight to protect the sanctity of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The DMK leader contended that the mass deletion of electors in Tamil Nadu and other states was carried out on a scale that significantly skewed election results in various constituencies. According to his memorandum, these actions had the effect of weakening one political party while providing an unfair advantage to another. Mr. Stalin emphasized that the ECI, having built a sterling global reputation over seven decades, holds that standing as a trust for the people of India rather than as a privilege for any individual office-bearer.
To facilitate this process, Mr. Stalin suggested that the President seek information from the Prime Minister under Article 78 of the Constitution and advise the Union government to support a parliamentary inquiry. Furthermore, he urged the President to intervene to ensure that Mr. Kumar is barred from exercising the powers of the Commission while the proposed parliamentary process remains underway.
Beyond the inquiry into the Commissioner’s conduct, the memorandum includes specific demands regarding the future of the state’s electoral rolls. Mr. Stalin has urged the President to advise the ECI against utilizing the electoral rolls prepared in 2026 for upcoming elections and by-elections in Tamil Nadu. Instead, he has called for the final rolls generated during the SIR to be set aside, advocating for the restoration of the pre-SIR electoral registers in accordance with the law.
The Chief Minister further demanded that the 2025 Special Intensive Revision be cancelled in its entirety across all states where it was conducted. He stressed that any future revisions must strictly adhere to the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. He argued that the process must be transparent, providing sufficient time for revisions and ensuring that every elector is granted individual notice and a proper opportunity for a hearing before their name is removed.
The plea from the Tamil Nadu administration highlights growing tensions between state leadership and the national election body regarding the administration of voter registration. As the matter rests with the President, the focus remains on whether the government will initiate a parliamentary review into the ECI's recent administrative actions and the potential impact on democratic representation.
Comments