Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. In a strong statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Stalin denounced the exercise as a “dangerous attempt to engineer outcomes, not reform the system.”
“Any threat to our democracy will be met with firm resistance,” Stalin declared, warning the EC to “not play with fire.” He alleged that the Centre, fearing electoral defeat in Bihar, was attempting to “stop people from voting altogether.”
“Delhi knows the Bihar electorate that once voted for it will now vote it out,” he added. “Tamil Nadu will fight this injustice with every democratic weapon at our disposal.”
Opposition Mounts Against ECI’s Voter Drive
Stalin’s remarks come ahead of a pivotal Supreme Court hearing, where the Election Commission’s decision to initiate the sweeping voter verification process has been challenged by opposition parties and civil society groups.
In an affidavit to the court, the EC justified the exercise, claiming constitutional authority to verify voter citizenship—particularly targeting individuals born between July 1987 and December 2004. According to the EC, this verification is crucial to ensure that only Indian citizens are enrolled in the electoral rolls.
However, the Commission’s criteria have drawn sharp criticism. Key documents such as Aadhaar, ration cards, and even EPIC (voter ID) cards issued before January 2025 have been excluded from the acceptable list. Instead, the EC has demanded parental citizenship proof, a move perceived as excessively burdensome, especially for poor and minority communities.
Political Firestorm over Timing and Intent
The opposition has questioned both the timing and intent of the Special Intensive Revision. With state elections looming, critics argue that the move is designed to mass disenfranchise voters, particularly in vulnerable regions like Bihar.
Moreover, procedural confusion has intensified public anxiety. Initially, officials asked for citizenship documents during door-to-door surveys, but later changed the requirement to a separate, in-person verification process—leaving thousands of citizens scrambling to meet tight deadlines.
Reports from the ground reveal that many people submitted forms without documentation, unaware of the later requirement. Now, they risk being excluded unless they produce valid documents in person.
Legal Concerns: A ‘Parallel Mechanism’?
Legal experts have flagged the exercise as operating in a constitutional grey area. While only the Union government holds the authority to grant or cancel citizenship, the EC claims it can verify citizenship for electoral registration purposes. Critics argue that this sets up a parallel and unaccountable mechanism, potentially opening the door to misuse.
The requirement to prove citizenship—particularly by a specific age group—has further intensified concerns that millions may be excluded from voting rolls.
BJP Backs EC, Slams Opposition
The BJP, meanwhile, has staunchly defended the voter verification exercise. The party asserts that the move ensures electoral integrity by allowing only genuine citizens to vote. Dismissing criticism as fear-mongering, BJP leaders claim that the opposition is using the issue for political gain.
“The EC is merely plugging gaps to strengthen the system. Ensuring that only legitimate citizens vote is in the national interest,” said a senior BJP spokesperson.
The BJP has emphasized that the revision process is lawful and aims to remove anomalies from the voter list, ensuring free and fair elections.
A Battle Over Democracy
This controversy over the Voter Verification Controversy in Bihar has now turned into a major political flashpoint. While the EC claims it is acting under constitutional mandate, the opposition sees it as a politically motivated purge of the voter base.
With the Supreme Court set to take up the matter soon, the outcome could have significant implications—not just for Bihar, but for India’s electoral integrity at large.
As the debate intensifies, one thing is clear: the fight over voter rights and citizenship documentation has become a litmus test for the strength of Indian democracy.
