Chennai: State Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik held discussions with recognized political parties in Tamil Nadu yesterday (October 29) regarding the special comprehensive revision of the electoral roll. Representatives of the participating political parties submitted their views.
A special comprehensive revision of the electoral roll was conducted last August before the Bihar Assembly elections. It was alleged that the names of approximately 6.5 million voters were removed from the electoral roll due to reasons such as missing voters and migration. Opposition parties strongly opposed this.
Before the excitement could subside, Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar recently announced that, after Bihar, a special comprehensive revision of the electoral roll would be conducted in 12 states and union territories, including Tamil Nadu. Since Tamil Nadu and Kerala have opposed this announcement, a consultation meeting was held yesterday (October 29) at the Secretariat in Chennai, chaired by Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, with recognized political parties in Tamil Nadu.
Representatives from 12 political parties, including the DMK, AIADMK, BJP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, DMDK, PMK, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Bahujan Samaj Party, Viduthalai Siruthaigal Katchi, and Naam Tamilar, participated in the consultation meeting.
Following the consultation meeting, Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik issued a statement, stating, “The Election Commission has announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in 12 states and union territories, including Tamil Nadu. Approximately 77,000 officials, from election officers in each district to polling station-level officials, will work in this special intensive revision. It will run from the last week of October 2025 to the first week of February 2026 in Tamil Nadu.”
As part of the preparations for this special revision, these officials will be trained on door-to-door counting, publication of draft voter lists, handling of claims and objections, duties and responsibilities of the concerned officials, etc., as per the Election Commission’s guidelines.
This training will be attended by 38 District Election Officers, 234 Voter Registration Officers, 624 Assistant Voter Registration Officers, 7,234 Polling Station Supervisors, 68,472 Polling Station Officers, and volunteers.
This training will be conducted by the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu. The training will be provided to District Election Officers and Voter Registration Officers of Tamil Nadu. The meeting stated that this training will familiarize the officials involved in this special revision with the process and ensure its smooth implementation across the state.
Political parties responded after the meeting
DMK
DMK Organizing Secretary R.S. Bharathi told reporters, “This survey is being conducted on an emergency basis. They are planning to carry out this work during a time when heavy rains are expected. People will not be at home during the Christmas and Pongal holidays. It seems this was done deliberately.” He said, “Since no one has accepted it wholeheartedly, the special revision of the voter list should be postponed.”
AIADMK
AIADMK Organizing Secretary Jayakumar said, “The names of deceased voters or migrant voters are not removed during every voter list revision process in Tamil Nadu. In view of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections next year, the AIADMK welcomes this special revision of the voter list aimed at ensuring accuracy and transparency in the voter list.”
During the Erode by-election, a study conducted by the AIADMK’s legal department found that 40,000 names of people who did not belong to the constituency were included in the voter list. 8,000 names of deceased voters were included in the voter list. Similarly, a study conducted in the R.K. Nagar constituency found that 44,000 names of people who did not belong to the constituency were included in the voter list.”
He said, “We presented this evidence to the court. If the special revision of the voter list is done correctly, the names of deceased voters and migrant voters will be removed correctly for each constituency and the voter list will be prepared.”
BJP
BJP State Vice President Karu Nagarajan said, “No voter’s name should be left out. The votes of deceased people should be removed. The Election Commission is asking for 12 types of documents, including bank accounts and postal accounts.”
Tamil Nadu has 64.1 million voters. Forms will be collected from them, and the Election Commission will verify them. These should be seen as reforms. The Chief Minister is opposing this, saying it should be opposed. After 21 years, the voter list in Tamil Nadu is being revised. This is welcome.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Party (VCK)
VCK Deputy General Secretary S.S. Balaji said, “Many cases are pending regarding the SIR. Investigations are underway. At this time, it is unnecessary for the Election Commission to consider implementing the SIR. This cannot be seen as an SIR. It is important to see that the Citizenship Amendment Act is being implemented in a different way. The Election Commission should leave it alone.” He said, ‘We have told that minority voters have been excluded in Bihar.’
Congress
Congress Working Committee member Thangabalu said, “The Election Commission says the SIR campaign has been very successful in Bihar. We oppose it. Why should this be done in an emergency situation when the matter is in court? Most parties are against it.
As far as the Congress Party is concerned, the Election Commission should do better. It should work honestly. It should not act beyond the truth. Fake people should not participate in the elections. Real voters should not be left out. All voters should be given their rights.”
