Chennai, Nov 2: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday accused the Election Commission of attempting to manipulate the electoral process by launching a full-scale revision of voter rolls just months before the upcoming Assembly elections.
Chairing an all-party meeting in Chennai’s Thyagaraya Nagar, Stalin described the move as a “calculated strategy to eliminate genuine voters” and undermine the democratic spirit of the state. The meeting, presided over by the Chief Minister, brought together representatives from more than 60 political parties, including DMK allies and several non-aligned groups.
However, major NDA constituents — the AIADMK, BJP, PMK, and TDP — chose to abstain from the session. In his remarks, Stalin said that while maintaining an accurate and transparent electoral roll was essential, such exercises must be conducted “at the right time and in the right manner.”
“Carrying out a complete voter roll revision just months before the elections is nothing short of a deliberate attempt to erase genuine voters,” he said. “We support fair elections, but fairness begins with intent and timing. This rushed exercise raises serious doubts about the Commission’s motives.”
The Chief Minister’s criticism followed the Election Commission’s recent announcement of a “special revision” of electoral rolls across Tamil Nadu, similar to the one being implemented in Bihar.
The DMK and its allies have strongly opposed the decision, warning that the timing could lead to large-scale deletions of legitimate voters and potential irregularities. Party representatives at the meeting echoed Stalin’s concerns and urged the state government to formally raise the matter with the Election Commission.
The meeting concluded with a joint resolution calling for transparency in the voter verification process, extensive public awareness campaigns, and vigilance to ensure that the democratic rights of every eligible voter are protected.
