New Delhi, September 23, 2026: DMK president M K Stalin has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling for an immediate halt to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Stalin also sought a detailed inquiry into the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Stalin Questions Election Commission’s Functioning
Stalin’s remarks followed a report in The Indian Express concerning objections reportedly raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over decisions connected with electoral rolls and the SIR exercise.
According to the report, the two commissioners had recorded objections on multiple occasions over a period of about 10 months. Stalin argued that if members of the three-member poll panel were unaware of decisions taken in the Commission’s name, the matter warranted serious scrutiny.
He said the developments raised questions about the independence and transparency of the country’s election machinery and called for those responsible for any wrongdoing to be held accountable.
What Is the SIR Exercise?
The Special Intensive Revision is an electoral-roll revision exercise being undertaken by the Election Commission. The process involves verification and updating of voter records, including identifying eligible voters and addressing entries that may no longer qualify.
Tamil Nadu’s official election administration has published SIR-related materials, including draft electoral rolls and information for voters to check their names and related electoral documents.
The exercise has become politically contentious, with opposition parties raising concerns about potential deletion of eligible voters.
Allegations Over Voter Deletions
Stalin alleged that the SIR process had been associated with irregularities and said opposition parties had previously objected to the removal of large numbers of names from electoral rolls.
He also referred to questions concerning appeals against the inclusion of voters whose names had reportedly been ordered to be added by courts. These assertions are part of Stalin’s criticism of the Election Commission and have not, by themselves, established wrongdoing by the poll panel.
Election Commission’s Response
The Election Commission has disputed the characterization of the reported disagreements as evidence of a breakdown within the institution.
According to ECI officials cited by The Daily Pioneer, decisions concerning the SIR exercise were unanimous, with the Commission maintaining that all three commissioners had approved the decisions. Officials also said differing observations during internal deliberations are part of institutional functioning and that the applicable legal framework provides for majority decision-making when commissioners differ.
This creates a significant distinction between reported internal objections and the ECI’s position that the final decisions were taken collectively.
Opposition Demands Probe and Action
Stalin’s demand comes amid wider opposition criticism of the Election Commission. The Congress has also called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation following the reports concerning objections raised by the other two Election Commissioners.
Other opposition leaders have similarly called for action against the CEC and demanded greater scrutiny of the SIR process.
For Stalin, the immediate demands are clear: stop the SIR exercise, investigate the reported decision-making issues and examine the functioning of the Election Commission. The ECI, meanwhile, maintains that the SIR-related decisions were taken unanimously and within the existing institutional framework.
