Madras High Court Bars TVK MLA from Voting Amid Electoral Dispute
Madras High Court restrains TVK candidate who won by 1 vote from floor test
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
The Madras High Court has temporarily restrained R Seenivasa Sethupathi, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA from Tiruppattur district, Tamil Nadu, from participating in any voting in the legislative assembly due to a dispute over his narrow election victory by one vote. The court is reviewing allegations of electoral irregularities linked to postal ballots.
- 01Madras High Court issued an interim order preventing R Seenivasa Sethupathi from voting in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
- 02The decision follows a challenge from K R Periakaruppan of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), who lost the election by one vote.
- 03The court highlighted the potential constitutional implications of allowing Sethupathi to vote amidst allegations of electoral anomalies.
- 04The case involves claims that postal ballots were misdirected between constituencies, impacting the election outcome.
- 05The court clarified that the order does not invalidate Sethupathi's election but addresses immediate concerns regarding electoral integrity.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The Madras High Court has issued an interim injunction preventing R Seenivasa Sethupathi, the MLA from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) who won the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from Tiruppattur district by just one vote, from participating in any voting proceedings in the legislative assembly. This decision follows a petition from K R Periakaruppan, a leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), who lost to Sethupathi. The court expressed concerns that Sethupathi's participation could significantly affect the balance of power in the assembly, especially given the narrow margin of victory. The court is examining allegations of electoral irregularities, including claims that a postal ballot intended for the Tiruppattur constituency was misdirected to another constituency with a similar name. The court emphasized the importance of maintaining electoral integrity and the potential consequences of allowing a candidate involved in such disputes to vote. While the court's order does not declare Sethupathi's election void, it reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the need for careful scrutiny of the electoral process.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
This ruling may influence the political dynamics in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, particularly if the allegations of electoral misconduct are substantiated.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you believe electoral processes in Tamil Nadu need stricter oversight?
Connecting to poll...
More about Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
Astrologer Radhan Pandit Appointed as Special Officer to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
The Economic Times • May 12, 2026
Palaniswami's AIADMK Group Criticizes Rebel Faction Led by Shanmugam
The Hindu • May 12, 2026
AIADMK Criticizes Rebel Leaders for Aligning with Ruling Coalition in Tamil Nadu
Ndtv • May 12, 2026
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.