Election Commission begins preparations for five Tamil Nadu Assembly bypolls following resignations
India's Election Commission has initiated preparatory measures for bypolls to five vacant Tamil Nadu Assembly seats following the resignations of four AIADMK rebel MLAs and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The vacancies occurred in May 2026 when these members crossed over to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party. The bypolls must be conducted within six months as mandated by the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu has written to District Collectors in five districts requesting details of Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, police personnel, and electoral information for the vacant Assembly segments. The five seats became vacant following resignations: Chief Minister Vijay resigned from Tiruchi East on May 10, while AIADMK rebels S. Jayakumar (Perundurai), Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam SC), P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram SC), and Esaki Subaya (Ambasamudram) resigned on May 25-26. All four rebel MLAs subsequently joined the ruling TVK party. The Election Commission is required to announce bypolls within six months of the vacancies occurring, and the CEO's communication represents the standard procedural groundwork for conducting these elections.
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- The HinduCenter
EC begins preparations for bypolls to five vacant Assembly seats in T.N.
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