"Why has Assam been left out? When did SIR become a citizenship exercise?": DMK raises questions on SIR Phase-2

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 27 (ANI): DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai on Monday raised sharp questions over the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase 2 across 12 States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to ANI, Annadurai questioned the ECI's intent and transparency, citing the exclusion of Assam, the 2003 cut-off year, and the alleged disenfranchisement of voters in Bihar.
"What has the ECI learnt from its experience in Bihar and how does it implement those findings in these 12 states? Why Assam has been left out of this SIR? When did SIR become a citizenship exercise? Why is ECI trying to bring in the criteria of citizenship? Is ECI a citizenship-finding unit? If so, how many illegal immigrants were they able to find out in Bihar? There are several unanswered questions. In Bihar, 65 lakh voters have been pushed out, they were disenfranchised by the ECI because of their reluctance to accept certain documents. Why have they excluded the other documents? Ration Card, MGNREGA and others which were so long good?" the DMK leader said.
"Most important question would be, why they are taking 2003 as a cut-off year? Who will be benefitted by that? Why are there no clear guidelines for all of this? Why suddenly the ECI has woken up and is saying that we are going to do this? We have seen how ECI has colluded with the BJP and indulged in vote theft. The credibility of the EC is at an all time low," Annadurai said further.
Notably, the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu has called an all-party meeting on November 2 to discuss the SIR Phase-2.
However, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said on Monday, that separate orders for Special Intensive Revision of the voter list will be issued for Assam as the State has separate provisions under the Citizenship Act.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, CEC Kumar said that the citizenship verification in Assam, under the supervision of the Supreme Court, is about to be completed.
He said, "Under India's Citizenship Act, there are separate provisions for Assam. Under the supervision of the Supreme Court, the checking of citizenship there is about to be completed. The June 24 SIR order was for the entire country. Under such circumstances, this would not have been applicable to Assam. So, separate orders for revision will be issued for Assam."
The first phase of the SIR was conducted in Bihar in September, ahead of the Assembly elections in the State.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, CEC Kumar said the exercise will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
According to the Election Commission, printing and training will take place from October 28 to November 3, followed by an Enumeration Phase from November to December 4. The Draft Electoral Rolls will be published on December 9, followed by a claims and objection period from December 9 to January 8, 2026. The Notice Phase (for hearing and verification) will take place between December 9 and January 31, 202, with publication of Final Electoral Rolls on February 7, 2026.
"The second phase of SIR (Special Intensive Revision) is about to be carried out in 12 States and UTs," the CEC said. (ANI)