States » SouthPosted at: Oct 17 2026 2:46PM


DMK MPs meet demands removal of CEC, scrapping of SIR, resolves to petition Prez for return to ballot paper voting

Chennai, Oct 17 (UNI) A meeting of DMK MPs on Saturay demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) C.Gyanesh Kumar, scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and return to ballot paper-based elections, alleging that the Election Commission’s actions have undermined public confidence in the electoral process, while pledging support to the protest by youths on CEC ouster.
The meeting chaired by party president M.K.Stalin also resolved to submit a memorandum to President Droupady Murmu by DMK MPs pressing for SIR repeal and return to the ballot system instead of EVMs.
In its first of the four resolutions, the DMK called for Kumar’s removal and an appropriate investigation into his role in implementing the SIR. The party alleged that eligible voters had been deleted from electoral rolls and recalled Stalin’s opposition to the exercise in Bihar in 2025. It also cited the all-party meeting convened by the DMK on November 2, 2025, its legal challenge and statewide protests against the revision.
The second resolution expressed support for student and youth protests demanding the scrapping of the SIR and CEC's removal, while referring to a newspaper report which had exposed CEC having taken decisions without consulting the other two Election Commissioners.
The party also condemned the reported police action against protesters in Delhi and Chennai. It recalled Stalin’s criticism of the arrests of opposition leaders, including former Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan, Mamata Banerjee and Manik Sarkar. The DMK said it would support democratic movements opposing the SIR but ruled out joint action with the Congress, accusing the party of betraying its allies.
In its third resolution, the DMK criticised the Congress and the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu, accusing them of adopting inconsistent stand on the SIR. It questioned the Congress’ stand that the process had been conducted properly in Tamil Nadu despite its objections elsewhere. The resolution also cited a newspaper report which, according to the DMK, showed that the TVK had won in constituencies where large numbers of voters had been deleted.
The DMK also questioned the TVK's silence on SIR and its alleged reluctance to demand the ouster of CEC Kumar’s removal. It accused the Congress of targeting the DMK while failing to question the TVK over its decision not to join a joint opposition case in the Supreme Court.
The fourth resolution called for the complete scrapping of the SIR and the use of pre-revision electoral rolls in future elections. The party said sufficient time and opportunities must be provided to voters during any future revision exercise.
The DMK also questioned the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs), citing alleged discrepancies between EVM results and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. It reiterated its demand that all VVPAT slips be counted and that elections return to the ballot paper system.
Later, in a social media post, Stalin said "No to SIR, which takes away voting rights ! We want the ballot system back!".
"Important decisions at the DMK parliamentary members' meeting held today. Cancel SIR completely, remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and investigate, full support for student movements fighting for democracy, bring back the ballot system as an alternative to EVM, strong condemnation of the Congress's state-by-state stance on the SIR issue and the TVK's silence", he wrote.
"To protect the people's voting rights and Indian democracy , the party's members of parliament will petition the President, pressing for the two demands of #SIR repeal and the ballot system", he added.
UNI GV 1440
Tags: #DMK MPs meet demands removal of CEC# scrapping of SIR# resolves to petition Prez for return to ballot paper voting
More News

Wet spell to continue, Low Pressure Area forms over Bay, set to intensify NE monsoon rains in TN

18 Oct 2026 | 4:38 PM

Chennai, Oct 18 (UNI) A Low Pressure Area has formed over Southwest Arabian Sea on Sunday and it would become more marked during the next 24 hrs, further intensifying the rainfall activity in Tamil Nadu, even as the Northeast monsoon has been vigorous over the State.

see more..

Vijay deputes Ministers to rain hit areas, reviews arrangements, flights disrupted

18 Oct 2026 | 4:24 PM

Chennai, Oct 18 (UNI) As extremely heavy rains pounded Chennai, suburbs and North coastal districts, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Sunday deputed Ministers to oversee relief works in rain-hit and water stagnated areas and later reviewed arrangements put in place
at the master control room with the officials, even as arrival and departure of more than 20 flights were affected as the showers were accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning.

see more..

Telangana Govt prioritising temple development and welfare: Dy CM Bhatti

18 Oct 2026 | 4:00 PM

Khammam, Oct 18 (UNI) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday said the Telangana government was prioritising temple development, public welfare and infrastructure projects across the State.

see more..

Kharge urges BJP to learn lesson from Kolkata stampede

18 Oct 2026 | 3:28 PM

Bengaluru, Oct 18 (UNI) Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday urged the BJP to learn a lesson from the stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, saying political parties should show empathy towards victims rather than politicise such tragedies.

see more..

Cong sting operation fallout to intensify after Council polls: Karnataka BJP

18 Oct 2026 | 3:17 PM

Hubballi, Oct 18 (UNI) Karnataka BJP president Vijayendra Yediyurappa on Sunday alleged that the reported sting operation had raised questions about political manoeuvring within the ruling Congress and predicted that the party's internal differences over leadership would become more pronounced after the October 23 Legislative Council elections.

see more..