Madras High Court extends stay on by-election to five constituencies till August 24
The Madras High Court has extended its stay on by-elections for five Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies until August 24. The court is awaiting counter-affidavits from the Election Commission and the Legislative Assembly Secretary regarding pending election petitions.
Why it matters
The ruling addresses the legal complexity of holding by-elections while previous election results are still being challenged in court, preventing potential legislative anomalies.
The Madras High Court on Friday (July 30, 2026) extended till August 24, 2026 an interim order passed by it on July 10, 2026 restraining the Election Commission of India (ECI) from notifying byelections to Tiruchi East, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai, and Karur Assembly constituencies.
Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan extended the interim order since the case, in which it was passed, could not be taken up for hearing on Friday and the Election Commission of India as well as the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretary were yet to file their counter affidavits.
The interim injunction was ordered by the court following a writ petition filed by K. Venkatachalapathy of Tirunelveli through his counsel V.R. Shanmuganathan. The petitioner told the court the by-elections were necessitated because of the resignation of the elected members.
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