Chennai, Oct 2026 : Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs on Saturday demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, complete cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to ballot paper voting instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The demands were among four resolutions adopted at a meeting of the DMK parliamentary group chaired by party president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Murasoli Maran Meeting Hall in Anna Arivalayam, the party’s headquarters in Chennai. The meeting began at 11 am, according to a party statement.
The parliamentary group also resolved to submit a petition to the President of India, seeking corrective measures to address what the party described as electoral irregularities. The proposed representation will raise the DMK’s concerns over voter roll revision and the existing voting system.
In its first resolution, the meeting called for Gyanesh Kumar’s removal from the post of Chief Election Commissioner. The demand reflected the party’s criticism of the electoral administration and its opposition to the SIR exercise.
However, the party statement did not specify individual instances of alleged electoral irregularities or provide detailed grounds for seeking the CEC’s removal. It also did not disclose when the proposed petition would be submitted to the President.
The second resolution expressed the DMK’s support for protests organised by student organisations. The statement did not identify the groups involved, specify their demands or provide details about the demonstrations.
In its third resolution, the party condemned the Congress and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), accusing both of adopting double standards. The statement did not elaborate on the specific actions or statements that prompted the criticism.
The fourth resolution centred on the party’s plan to approach the President over its electoral concerns. The DMK reiterated its demand for the complete withdrawal of the SIR exercise and the replacement of EVM-based voting with ballot papers.
The resolutions collectively outlined the DMK parliamentary group’s position on electoral processes, student protests and its criticism of the Congress and TVK.
The meeting placed electoral reforms at the centre of the party’s agenda, combining its demand for changes to voter list revision and voting procedures with a call for action against the head of the Election Commission of India. The proposed presidential petition is expected to serve as the formal channel through which the party presents its concerns and demands.
