Vaiko accuses Centre of using ECI to ‘uproot democracy’ through SIR

CHENNAI: MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Sunday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of acting at the behest of the Union government in implementing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in multiple states, beginning from Bihar and extending to other parts of the nation, calling it "a move that strikes at the very roots of democracy."

Speaking at the all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister MK Stalin on the issue, Vaiko said it was "deeply regrettable" that certain political parties and organisations that should have participated in the deliberations had instead chosen to criticise the initiative over the past two days. "Their absence from such an important discussion on democratic rights is irresponsible," he said.

Warning of a potential demographic imbalance, Vaiko said the revision exercise could pave the way for large-scale inclusion of 'outsiders' as voters. "There are about 3.5 lakh people from Bihar living in Chennai alone, and significant numbers in Coimbatore and Tirupur. According to the 2011 Census, 34.8 lakh people from other states reside in Tamil Nadu. This figure might have doubled over the past 14 years," he cautioned.

He alleged that the BJP was targeting Tamil Nadu by "orchestrating a mechanism" to include voters from other states in Tamil Nadu's rolls. "It is our duty and moral responsibility to prevent such attempts. The MDMK firmly opposes this move, " Vaiko added.