Durai Vaiko criticizes DMK over SIR system blame

MDMK leader Durai Vaiko has criticized the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for blaming the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) system for recent electoral setbacks. Speaking in Tiruchirappalli, Vaiko argued that the party should instead accept the public mandate, noting that the DMK’s performance in the Dharapuram and Maduranthakam by-elections relied heavily on votes from alliance partners, including the DMDK and various Muslim organizations.

The controversy follows a resolution by the DMK Parliamentary Party demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The DMK accuses Kumar of conducting the SIR exercise in a way that systematically disenfranchises legitimate voters and acting unilaterally against the consensus of other Election Commissioners.

As part of their proposed electoral reforms, DMK MPs intend to petition the President of India to scrap the SIR system, utilize pre-SIR electoral rolls for future elections, and replace Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with traditional paper ballots.