Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK has sharply criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of colluding with the BJP to undermine fair elections by enabling “mass voter deletions” during Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. At a recent meeting chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the DMK condemned the removal of 65 lakh voters in Bihar, stressing this action defied a Supreme Court warning against large-scale deletions without due process, and branded the move “anti-democratic” and a threat to a level playing field in elections.
DMK urges Election Commission to adopt key voting reforms
The DMK further alleged that the ECI’s conduct has become increasingly politicized, especially after the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel for Election Commissioners. The party claimed the ECI is enabling BJP-led “electoral frauds” and “mocking democracy.” The DMK recalled that on July 17, five of its MPs had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking several electoral reforms:
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Restrict deletions to deceased voters
Strengthen coordination with Booth Level Officers
Publish voter roll manuals in regional languages
Ensure transparency in postal ballot counting
Accept multiple identification documents (Aadhaar, ration cards, etc.) as proof of residence and age
The party urged the ECI to verify voter rolls transparently before beginning the election process in Tamil Nadu and other states.
The DMK’s accusations come in the wider context of opposition concerns over ECI neutrality. Congress has also reiterated criticisms—specifically regarding the ECI’s demand that Rahul Gandhi submit his allegations of “vote theft” under oath, a request he’s refused, stating no reason for an affidavit is warranted. The BJP maintains the ECI is independent, rejecting opposition charges as baseless.
