Archive · 12 Sep 2026
PIL Seeks Election Security From Resigned Bypoll Candidates
A lawyer has asked the Madras High Court to consider a new election rule.
The rule would require lawmakers who resign and then want to run again to pay a security deposit.
This deposit would help recover the cost of holding a new election.
The lawyer wants the Election Commission of India to set the amount for each constituency.
Proof of payment would have to be included with the candidate’s nomination papers.
Without that proof, the nomination could be rejected.
The petition also asks the court to stop two scheduled bypolls in Maduranthakam and Dharapuram.
The case is expected to be heard soon.
A PIL in the Madras High Court seeks an “Election Expenditure Security” from MLAs who resigned and may contest resulting bypolls.
The proposed security would cover the cost of bye-elections caused by the resignations.
Advocate K Suthan asked the Election Commission of India to make the deposit mandatory before nomination papers are filed.
Failure to provide an official receipt or challan would lead to rejection of the nomination at scrutiny.
The petition also seeks to restrain bypolls in Maduranthakam and Dharapuram, scheduled for October 6.
- Who
- Advocate K Suthan filed the PIL against the Election Commission of India concerning resigned MLAs who may contest bypolls.
- What
- The petition seeks an Election Expenditure Security and related rules to recover the cost of bye-elections caused by voluntary resignations.
- When
- The report was dated September 12; bypolls in Maduranthakam and Dharapuram were scheduled for October 6, and the PIL was likely to be heard early.
- Where
- The petition was filed in the Madras High Court and concerns constituencies including Maduranthakam and Dharapuram.
- Why
- The petitioner seeks financial accountability from elected representatives who resign prematurely and create vacancies requiring bye-elections.
- Petitioner
- Advocate K Suthan
- Court
- Madras High Court
- Election authority
- Election Commission of India
- Proposed measure
- Election Expenditure Security
- Scheduled bypolls
- Maduranthakam and Dharapuram on October 6
- Nomination condition sought
- An official receipt or challan proving payment would be required with nomination papers
- MLAs named
- S Jayakumar, K Maragatham Kumaravel, P Sathyabama, Esakki Subbaya, C Vijaya Bhaskar and M R Vijayabhaskar