Kolathur

Madras High Court dismissed a writ petition from former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. He challenged the 2026 Assembly election result for the Kolathur constituency. A Division Bench ruled the petition was not allowed, stating that election disputes must follow the legal process instead of being presented as writ petitions.

MK Stalin lost the seat to VS Babu of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He asked for a full recount of VVPAT slips and a technical audit of EVMs. He claimed there were problems with the checking process. He also said Election Commission delays stopped him from filing a standard election petition.

Legal rules for election challenges

The Court clarified that under Article 329(b) of the Constitution, election results can only be challenged through a formal election petition. The Bench noted that allowing these writ petitions would weaken the rules made to keep legislative election results final. The court pointed out that while checking EVMs helps build public confidence, it cannot be used as a way to remove an elected representative.

Legal trouble remains for M.K. Stalin after the loss in Kolathur. Madras High Court dismissed the plea challenging the win of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam candidate V.S. Babu.

Stalin raised questions about electronic voting machines and VVPAT units, claiming issues during the 2026 assembly election. The court ruled that the petition could not proceed. Election Commission of India argued that these challenges must follow the specific legal paths in the Representation of the People Act, 1951, instead of a writ petition.

Election outcome in Kolathur

This decision means the election result in Kolathur stays the same. For details on election processes, visit the Election Commission of India official website.

Madras High Court clarified that claims about EVM problems must be sent through an election petition instead of a writ petition. A bench led by Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan dismissed a case filed by MK Stalin about the Kolathur Assembly constituency.

Rules for challenging election results

The court noted that Article 329(b) of the Constitution prevents challenging an election result with a writ petition. Judges said allowing these petitions would hurt the legal election process. Although the court dismissed this case, it noted that the petitioner can still go to an election tribunal to ask for help.

Madras High Court reserved its verdict on a petition from DMK president M.K. Stalin. He wants to be declared the winner of the Kolathur assembly seat. The case requests a full count of VVPAT slips due to reported issues during the verification of EVM sets.

Senior counsel Kapil Sibal, acting for Stalin, said the petitioner faced delays during the verification process by Election Commission of India. These delays reportedly stopped him from filing a regular election petition. Election Commission counsel argued that such challenges must follow the standard legal process under Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Court updates

The court also allowed the withdrawal of a separate petition that challenged the Election Commission standard operating procedure for EVM verification. Judges noted the challenge focused on an old 2024 policy rather than the current 2025 version.

DMK leaders have decided to stop taking part in the verification of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the Kolathur constituency. This follows claims from party representatives that they found issues in three out of eight machines checked so far.

Legal action planned

Senior advocate N.R. Elango said the party feels the election process was unfair. They plan to ask the Madras High Court or the Supreme Court for help with the issue.

Verification of Electronic Voting Machines for Kolathur Assembly constituency is now in its third day. Inspection happens at the EVM warehouse in Chintadripet, Chennai.

This follows a petition from former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. He asked to check machines from 14 specific polling stations. Officials look at two machines each day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This work will finish in seven days.

Election results check

In the 2026 Assembly elections, M.K. Stalin ran from this seat. He lost to TVK candidate V.S. Babu by 8,795 votes. Candidate representatives are at the warehouse to watch the process.