Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik released the draft electoral roll, revealing that nearly 97 lakh names have been deleted during the latest revision process. The announcement has triggered a political storm, with the DMK and BJP exchanging sharp allegations over the deletions.
Draft Electoral Roll Sparks Political Debate
Soon after the release, opposition parties raised concerns about the scale of deletions. The DMK alleged that the revision could disenfranchise eligible voters ahead of upcoming elections.
In response, the BJP rejected the claims and accused the DMK of politicising a routine electoral exercise. Party leaders argued that the deletions followed established rules and verification processes.
CEO Explains the Revision Process
Archana Patnaik clarified that the electoral roll update followed standard procedures, including verification of duplicate entries, deaths, and migration-related changes. She stressed that the process aims to maintain accuracy and transparency in the voter list.
Moreover, the CEO assured voters that the draft roll remains open for claims and objections, allowing eligible citizens to seek corrections or re-inclusion.
DMK and BJP Trade Accusations
While the DMK questioned the timing and intent behind the deletions, the BJP countered by stating that voter list revisions occur regularly under the Election Commission’s supervision.
As a result, the issue has intensified political tensions in the state, with both parties mobilising supporters around the controversy.
Election officials urged voters to check their names in the draft roll and submit claims if needed. Authorities emphasized that the final electoral roll will include valid corrections after due scrutiny.
Therefore, officials encouraged public participation to ensure no eligible voter is left out.
