NationalSaturday, 11 July 2026·The Hindu - Tamil Nadu
Madras High Court and Section 151A: TN byelections in five constituencies stayed till July 31, 2026
On July 10, 2026, the Madras High Court restrained the ECI from notifying byelections in five Tamil Nadu constituencies until July 31.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On July 10, 2026, the Madras High Court restrained the Election Commission of India from notifying byelections to Tiruchi East, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai and Karur Assembly constituencies until July 31, 2026.
Key specifics
- The interim order covered 5 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
- The court relied on election petitions filed against the victories of the returned candidates.
- Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 was cited in the PIL.
- The PIL petitioner was K. Venkatachalapathy of Tirunelveli.
- The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan.
Exam lens
Question type: Polity and election law, Section 151A, Representation of the People Act, 1951, byelection timing, election petitions. TNPSC may ask when a vacancy is treated as a “clear vacancy” and which court restrained the ECI in July 2026.