MK Stalin moves Madras HC over Kolathur poll defeat, alleges VVPAT lapses
Stalin also sought a declaration that Babu’s election from Kolathur be declared void and that he be announced the winner instead.
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin has appealed to the Madras High Court over the election of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam candidate VS Babu in the Kolathur constituency for the 2026 Assembly elections. Stalin's plea alleges malfunctions in voting machines, irregularities with VVPAT machines, and seeks directions from the Election Commission of India to count 100% of VVPAT slips and verify all 286 EVMs in the constituency.
Stalin also demands that Babu's election from Kolathur be declared void and that Stalin be declared the winner instead. In the 2026 Assembly polls, Stalin won with 74,202 votes (40.32%), while Babu secured 82,997 votes (45.09%), giving TVK an 8,795-vote margin. Stalin claims the Election Commission provided SOPs for post-counting checking and verification of burnt memory/microcontroller of EVM units.
He alleges that his application to check and verify 14 EVMs was delayed until July 29, three months later. Stalin further alleges technical issues with two of the 14 EVMs and irregularities in the chain of custody for another EVM. The plea is pending a hearing in the high court.
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