SIR 2.0 Controversy: Opposition Unity from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal Against Election Commission’s Move

---

Background of SIR 2.0

The Election Commission of India (EC) has launched the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR 2.0) — an exercise aimed at cleansing and updating the voter list. This phase covers nine states and three union territories, accounting for nearly 510 million voters, including those in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal.

---

Opposition’s Unified Resistance

Opposition-ruled states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal have united against this move, alleging that the EC’s initiative is politically motivated and represents an act of constitutional overreach.

According to these states, the timing and intent behind SIR 2.0 appear suspicious, and they claim the process could be used to manipulate voter lists ahead of the 2026 state elections.

---

Political Leaders’ Allegations

Several political leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, have accused the Election Commission and the central government of using SIR 2.0 as a political weapon to influence future elections.

Banerjee and others have warned that massive protests will erupt if even a single legitimate voter is removed from the rolls.

---

Tamil Nadu’s Legal Challenge

In Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of SIR 2.0.
The DMK contends that:

1. The initiative is a “de facto NRC” (National Register of Citizens).
2. Conducting this exercise during major holidays could lead to wrongful deletions as many citizens may not be at home when officials visit.

---

Kerala’s Standpoint

In Kerala, both the ruling Left government and the opposition have opposed the EC’s timing, citing that the process coincides with local body elections.
They demanded postponement of the exercise, but the Election Commission rejected their request.

---

Election Commission’s Response

The Election Commission has defended SIR 2.0, stating that it is a routine administrative exercise to ensure the accuracy of electoral rolls.
It further noted that 11 similar exercises have been conducted in India’s history — most of them under Congress rule.

---

Why Was Assam Left Out?

Questions have been raised as to why Assam, which also faces upcoming elections, was excluded from this phase of the SIR exercise.
Opposition leaders argue that the omission raises further doubts about the transparency and intent behind the process.

---

Enumeration Process

As part of SIR 2.0, officials are distributing a simple form to every household (as of October 27, 2025).
Any adult member can fill out the form, which seeks:

1. Basic demographic details,
2. Family and relative information, and
3. The status of parents or relatives in earlier voter rolls.

---

NTK’s Seeman Opposes SIR 2.0 Over Migrant Workers in Tamil Nadu Voter List

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman has taken a firm stand against the Election Commission of India’s SIR 2.0 exercise, specifically objecting to the inclusion of migrant workers in Tamil Nadu’s voter list.

Seeman alleges that the ECI is attempting to register migrant workers, particularly from North India, as Tamil Nadu voters without properly verifying their “ordinary residence” status.
He warns that this move could undermine the political rights of native Tamils, potentially making them, as he puts it, “refugees in our own land” by weakening their collective electoral voice.

Seeman has stated:

1. “Migrant workers are welcome to work, but they must vote only in their home states.”
2. He argues that allowing migrant workers to vote in Tamil Nadu would tilt the political balance and contribute to the “Hindi-isation” of the state, indirectly benefiting the BJP.

Seeman has vowed to launch statewide protests to demand the removal of migrant workers from the Tamil Nadu voter list, describing this as a Tamil rights and regional integrity issue.

NTK and its supporters consider the SIR 2.0 revision a direct threat to Tamil Nadu’s autonomy and demographic stability, and they have declared that they will actively oppose the EC’s process if it continues in its present form.

---

Supreme Court Hearing

The DMK’s petition challenging SIR 2.0’s legality and constitutional validity is expected to be heard soon by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the enumeration process has already begun in several Tamil Nadu cities, leading to growing political tension.

---

The Larger Political Climate

The SIR 2.0 voter list revision has triggered a major political standoff between the central Election Commission and opposition parties across multiple states.
Opposition leaders claim that the process could disenfranchise large sections of voters and disrupt the 2026 electoral process.

---

Conclusion

What began as a routine voter list update has now evolved into a national political flashpoint.
With opposition parties, state governments, and regional leaders like Seeman taking strong stands, the SIR 2.0 exercise has exposed the growing distrust between the Election Commission and state administrations, setting the stage for a major constitutional and electoral confrontation ahead of the 2026 elections.