Tamil Nadu CM's counsel challenges ECI's decision to skip five assembly byelections

Senior counsel G. Masilamani argued before Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan that the Election Commission's refusal to hold bypolls in Tiruchi East, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai and Karur constituencies raises serious constitutional concerns. The counsel questioned how the ECI could effectively render legal proceedings against the absence of byelections infructuous by declining to conduct them. The submissions underscored the government's view that the commission's decision undermines democratic processes in the state. The five constituencies have remained vacant, prompting the legal challenge seeking to compel the ECI to schedule bypolls. The matter assumes significance as it touches upon the constitutional obligation to fill vacant Assembly seats within a stipulated timeframe. The high court bench is expected to examine the ECI's reasoning and the government's contentions in subsequent hearings.