Madras HC Restrains EC From Notifying Tamil Nadu Bypolls
In view of the High Court's order, by-elections to Madurantakam, Dharapuram, Ambasamudram, Perundurai and Viralimalai cannot be conducted until the pending election petitions are disposed of
The Madras High Court has put on hold the announcement of by-elections to five vacant Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, directing the Election Commission not to notify polls in seats where election petitions are still pending.
Tamil Nadu is awaiting by-elections in six Assembly constituencies -Tiruchirappalli East, Madurantakam, Dharapuram, Ambasamudram, Perundurai and Viralimalai. While the Tiruchirappalli East seat fell vacant when Chief Minister Vijay vacated it after winning from Perambur, the other five constituencies became vacant after AIADMK MLAs resigned from the Assembly.
In view of the High Court's order, by-elections to Madurantakam, Dharapuram, Ambasamudram, Perundurai and Viralimalai cannot be conducted until the pending election petitions are disposed of. Tiruchirappalli East is the only constituency where the by-election process remains unaffected by the ruling.
The development is being closely watched by the DMK, AIADMK and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), all of which are gearing up for the electoral contests. The order has also come as a setback for the former AIADMK legislators who resigned from their Assembly seats in the hope of seeking a fresh mandate through the by-elections.
