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DMK MP Kanimozhi Accuses Centre of Voter Roll “Purification” Aimed at Disenfranchisement

Chennai: DMK MP Kanimozhi has strongly criticized the ongoing Summary Revision (SIR) exercise of voter rolls, accusing the central government of attempting to “purify” the electoral rolls by removing voters believed to be unfavorable to the ruling party. In an interview with The New Indian Express, Kanimozhi stated that Home Minister Amit Shah’s justification of the SIR process was a thinly veiled attempt to disenfranchise specific groups and manipulate future election outcomes.

Kanimozhi highlighted concerns over the rushed timeline for the SIR process, noting the Election Commission’s (EC) extension was insufficient, especially with monsoon season impacting administration in states like Tamil Nadu. She argued that the rushed timeline and inadequate training for Block Level Officers (BLOs) placed undue pressure on those responsible for verifying voter information, and that the 2002-2004 baseline year for required documents was unreasonable, as many people may not have such documents readily available. She emphasized the potential for “mass disenfranchisement,” raising concerns about the consequences of being excluded from voter rolls and future citizenship.

Furthermore, Kanimozhi warned about the potential for delimitation, with states risking loss of representation if significant numbers of voters are removed from the rolls. She noted reports of BLO deaths related to SIR and pressure on them. She accused the AIADMK of acting as a “B-team” for the BJP, echoing and amplifying their stance on the SIR.

Kanimozhi stated that the DMK is vigilant and actively working on the ground to ensure fairness and prevent voter disenfranchisement, learning from the Bihar elections, where such concerns were prominent. She emphasized that while DMK leaders and cadres are on the ground, the ultimate responsibility for a fair and transparent process lies with the Election Commission.

Finally, Kanimozhi reiterated the DMK’s stance on the role of governors, stating they are often used as political tools by the BJP and create obstacles for non-BJP governments. She also expressed disappointment over the rejection of Metro Rail proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai, alleging unfair application of different standards compared to other cities.

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