‘Gyanesh must be removed’: DMK demands CEC’s ouster, backs student protests

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has called for the immediate dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and an investigation into his actions, alleging he was responsible for the systematic removal of valid voters from electoral rolls through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The party also rallied behind student protests against the SIR and pledged to push for a return to traditional paper ballots.

At a meeting chaired by party president MK Stalin, the DMK adopted four resolutions. One demanded Kumar's removal, another showed solidarity with protesting students, a third accused the Congress and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of double standards, and the fourth resolved to petition the President of India for electoral reforms under Stalin's leadership.

Stalin had previously opposed the SIR in July 2025 following reports of extensive voter deletions in Bihar, the first state to introduce the process. He joined the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, alongside DMK deputy general secretary and parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi. Stalin later raised concerns when the Election Commission announced the SIR would be held in 12 states, including Tamil Nadu, suggesting the BJP aimed to disenfranchise voters in the state.

The DMK also criticized conducting the revision during the monsoon and festive months, citing potential harm to eligible voters. They recalled Stalin's November 15 remarks on intra-party disagreements regarding seat-sharing and candidate selections within the opposition alliance, but maintained that these issues did not justify alleged shortcomings by the Election Commission.

Public trust in the electoral process had plummeted, according to the DMK, and they demanded that the SIR be canceled and Kumar removed from his position. The party vowed to back student-led protests and accused the Congress and TVK of inconsistent stances on the issue.