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

AISF demands criminal action against MVSR college management over fatal accident

18 Oct 2026 | 6:04 PM

Hyderabad, Oct 18 (UNI) The All India Students’ Federation (AISF) has demanded strict action against the management of MVSR Engineering College at Nadargul in Ranga Reddy district following the collapse of a lighting structure during a Dandiya event on Saturday.

see more..

AP: YSRCP’s demand for President’s rule only to divert public attention: TDP

18 Oct 2026 | 6:02 PM

Vijayawada, Oct 18 (UNI) Telugu Desam Party State President Palla Srinivasa Rao has termed the Opposition YSRCP’s demand for President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh a politically motivated ploy to divert public attention from pressing issues.
He said the party’s alleged attempts to trigger confrontations at the grassroots level while simultaneously projecting a breakdown of law and order in the State, exposed its double standards.

see more..

AP: Filing of nominations for ULB elections ends, 7,825 nominations filed on 2nd day

18 Oct 2026 | 5:42 PM

Vijayawada, Oct 18 (UNI) Jana Sena candidate Vangaveeti Radha Krishna, retired IPS officer AB Venkateswara Rao, Dr. Mukka Shrevani, TDP candidate Kovelamudi Lakshmi Aparna and BJP candidate Ajesh Babu were some of prominent people who filed their nominations for the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, the deadline for which endedt 3 pm today.

see more..

417 drunk driving cases booked in Hyderabad, 320 in Cyberabad during weekend drives

18 Oct 2026 | 5:42 PM

Hyderabad, Oct 18 (UNI) Hyderabad and Cyberabad Traffic Police booked a total of 737 motorists for drunk driving during special enforcement drives conducted over the weekend on October 16 and 17.

see more..

Music composer and singer Thenisai Thendral Deva laid to rest with full state honours

18 Oct 2026 | 5:17 PM

Chennai, Oct 18 (UNI) Tens and hundreds of people bade a tearful adieu as the mortal remains of veteran music composer and singer Thenisai Thendral Deva, who passed away yesterday, was laid to rest with full state honours at his native Sakkaramallur village at Arcot in Ranipet district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday evening.

see more..