NationalMonday, 24 August 2026·The Hindu - Tamil Nadu
ECI will not notify bypolls in 5 Tamil Nadu Assembly seats until election petitions are decided
On 24 August 2026, the Election Commission told the Madras High Court it will not notify bye-elections to five Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies until election petitions are disposed of.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On 24 August 2026, the Election Commission of India told the Madras High Court that it will not notify bye-elections to Tiruchi East, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai and Karur until the election petitions in those five constituencies are disposed of.
Key specifics
- Five Assembly constituencies are named: Tiruchi East, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai and Karur.
- The counter affidavit was filed before a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan.
- Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 was cited in the ECI’s legal stand.
- Section 151-A was inserted by Parliament in 1996 and prescribes a 6-month timeline for bye-elections after a vacancy arises.
- The writ petition was adjourned to 8 September 2026, and an interim order dated 10 July 2026 was extended.
Exam lens
Polity and election-law question, Section 84 vs Section 151-A of the RP Act, 1951, 1996 amendment, 5 constituencies, 8 September 2026 hearing — a TNPSC one-liner may ask why bye-elections can be deferred when election petitions are pending.