Tiruvarur by-election: Madras HC questions chief election commission

The Madurai bench of Madras High Court on Wednesday questioned the chief election commission if it had any discussions with the central government before postponing the by-elections for the Tiruvarur constituency. The Court also ordered the commission to answer before January 30 regarding the same.

The Election commission had earlier stated that the by-elections for Tiruvarur constituency has been postponed. The commission stated that the decision has been taken following the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan recommendation.

Owing to Gaja cyclone relief works, the TN Chief Secretary requested the election commission not to conduct the by-elections on the proposed date. The recommendation was made after discussing with political parties, following which the elections have been called off. The election commission has also assured that the elections will not be conducted till April.

By-election to the Tiruvarur Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu was scheduled to be held on January 28. However, no decision was made for the 18 seats rendered vacant by the disqualification of MLAs owing allegiance to expelled AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran.