A controversial exercise

As anticipated, the DMK and its allies in Tamil Nadu have launched an attack against the Election Commission of India (ECI)’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. Their concern is that the exercise, being conducted with undue haste, could precipitate arbitrary deletions and additions of voters, particularly affecting minorities and members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. They believe that it effectively functions as a de facto National Register of Citizens.

In a petition filed before the Supreme Court, the DMK has contended that by imposing citizenship-like burdens of proof upon electors, the SIR exceeds its statutory remit and infringes upon citizens’ fundamental right to vote. Its argument centres on the proposition that the unilateral ‘imposition’ of such an unprecedented, resource-intensive, and socially disruptive process upon a State, without consultation or demonstrable administrative exigency, transgresses the federal structure of the Constitution, recognised as part of its basic structure. The party has emphasised that in bypassing statutory safeguards, the State concerned has effectively been reduced to a mere implementing agency for centrally determined, unilateral processes, thereby posing a grave risk of disenfranchising large numbers of bona fide voters. It has informed the Court that the manner in which the SIR has been directed to be conducted is found neither in the Representation of the People Act, 1950, nor in the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Ever since more than 68 lakh names were deleted from the voter lists in Bihar, triggering outrage from Opposition parties, the DMK and its allies have been apprehensive about the exercise. There were allegations that genuine voters, particularly Muslims, were removed from the rolls. The DMK and its allies view the SIR as a “ploy” to deprive legitimate voters of their right to franchise. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has emphasised the need for an authentic and transparent electoral roll, saying adequate time must be given to complete the process.

The DMK and its allies convened an all-party meeting to discuss the issue, although it was boycotted by the AIADMK and the BJP and several smaller factions. The DMK-led alliance has announced Statewide demonstrations on November 14 against the SIR, which commenced on November 4. About 68,700 booth-level officers were engaged in the enumeration, with each officer tasked to cover a vast number of households within a short period. The party has even established a help centre with a dedicated telephone number to address citizens’ concerns regarding the SIR.

Former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has dismissed these concerns, contending that since the entire exercise is being carried out by State government employees, any discrepancies would be the DMK’s responsibility. BJP State president Nainar Nagenthran echoed similar sentiments, urging his party members to remain vigilant against what he characterised as a conspiracy to remove voters from the rolls. However, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, headed by actor Vijay, has also opposed the SIR.

Voters in Tamil Nadu appear increasingly confused by the contradictory positions of the DMK and its allies on the one hand and the AIADMK and its partners on the other.

Mr. Stalin has cautioned that the details sought by the ECI in the enumeration form may leave even the more discerning sections of the electorate bewildered, potentially resulting in deletions on the pretext of non-compliance with procedural requirements. To underscore his point, he recalled the clarification provided by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) regarding the requirement to affix a new photograph to the form. While the CEO stated that this was optional, it remains unclear whether Electoral Registration Officers across the State will adopt a consistent approach to the matter. The abbreviated time frame of 30 days to complete the exercise will, according to the DMK and its allies, be disastrous.

The DMK and its allies also believe that the inclusion of lakhs of migrant workers from Hindi-speaking States would alter the demographic composition of the voters’ list and favour only the BJP and its allies. They believe the inclusion is an indirect strategy employed by the BJP to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu. The DMK-led alliance now pins its hopes on the Supreme Court.