Madras High Court Stays Tamil Nadu Bye-Elections Until September

The Madras High Court extended an interim stay until September 8, 2026, restraining the notification of bye-elections for five Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies: Tiruchirappalli East, Karur, Viralimalai, Perundurai, and Ambasamudram. The Election Commission of India informed the court it does not intend to hold these polls until pending election petitions challenging the original victories in those seats are decided, citing Supreme Court precedent.

Vacancies in these seats followed the resignations of several MLAs, including Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, who vacated Tiruchirappalli East after winning a second seat in Perambur. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government urged the court to expedite the hearing and vacate the stay, arguing that the constituencies currently lack representation. The legal challenge was initiated by petitioner Venkatachalapathy, who argued that holding bye-elections while original victories are contested could result in two candidates representing the same seat.

In a separate legal development, DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin filed an election petition challenging the victory of TVK candidate VS Babu in the Kolathur Assembly constituency. Stalin alleges voting machine malfunctions and VVPAT irregularities, requesting a recount and a declaration that Babu's election be voided.