The Madras High Court in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to explain its inaction regarding a complaint from former DMK minister K R Periyakaruppan, who lost the 2026 assembly election by just one vote to TVK candidate Srinivasa Sethupathi. Periyakaruppan claims that a postal ballot from Tirupattur in Sivaganga district was mistakenly sent to the wrong district and subsequently rejected by the returning officer. During a special court sitting, Justices L Victoria Gowri and N Senthilkumar questioned the ECI's assertion that it had completed its electoral duties, emphasizing the significance of the disputed ballot in determining the election outcome. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing Periyakaruppan, argued that the postal ballot's return could have altered the election results. However, opposing counsel argued that the matter should be addressed through an election petition rather than a writ petition, asserting that the election declaration is final. The court has requested a report from the ECI regarding the complaint by Monday.