Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Madras High Court Extends Stay on Five Tamil Nadu Bypolls
The Madras High Court has temporarily stopped election officials from announcing five Assembly bypolls in Tamil Nadu.
The pause will continue until September 8.
The five seats include Trichy East, which Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay vacated after winning two constituencies.
Election cases about the results of these seats are still being considered by the court.
The Election Commission said it would wait until those cases are decided.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government’s side wanted the pause removed, but the court refused.
Separately, MK Stalin challenged the result of the Kolathur election.
He says voting machines and vote-verification records may have had problems and wants a recount.
The Madras High Court extended its stay on notifying bypolls in five Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies until September 8.
The constituencies are Trichy East, Viralimalai, Perundurai, Ambasamudram and Karur.
The Election Commission of India said it would not announce the bypolls before pending election petitions are decided.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government’s side sought an early hearing and asked the court to vacate the stay, but the plea was rejected.
Former Chief Minister MK Stalin separately challenged TVK candidate VS Babu’s victory in Kolathur, alleging electronic voting machine and VVPAT irregularities.
- Who
- The Madras High Court, the Election Commission of India, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government’s side, and petitioners challenging the election results.
- What
- The court extended its interim stay on notifying bypolls in five Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies until September 8.
- When
- The stay was extended until September 8, following the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
- Where
- The Madras High Court and the constituencies of Trichy East, Viralimalai, Perundurai, Ambasamudram and Karur in Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Election petitions challenging victories in the five constituencies remain pending before the court.
Court and Election Commission Position
Government and Election Challengers
Whether the bypolls should be notified now
Court and Election Commission Position
The Election Commission said it would not announce the bypolls until the pending election petitions concerning the five constituencies are decided, and the court continued the stay.
Government and Election Challengers
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government’s side sought an early hearing and requested that the interim stay be vacated.
Challenge to the Kolathur result
Court and Election Commission Position
VS Babu’s victory remains the reported election result, and Babu attributed it to Vijay’s leadership and voters’ desire for change.
Government and Election Challengers
MK Stalin alleged electronic voting machine and VVPAT irregularities, seeking a recount and asking the court to declare Babu’s election void and recognise Stalin as the winner.
- Stay deadline
- September 8
- Affected constituencies
- Trichy East, Viralimalai, Perundurai, Ambasamudram and Karur
- Election authority
- Election Commission of India
- Trichy East vacancy
- C Joseph Vijay vacated the seat after retaining Perambur, having won both constituencies.
- Kolathur challenge
- MK Stalin challenged VS Babu’s victory and sought a recount and declaration that Babu’s election was void.
- Kolathur margin
- VS Babu defeated MK Stalin by 8,795 votes, according to the article.