The Madras High Court on Thursday issued notice to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging that the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, used children for electoral campaigning during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The Division Bench of Justice GR Swaminathan and Justice V Lakshminarayanan orally questioned whether a recognised political party itself could face disqualification for corrupt practices under the statutory framework of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The High Court made the observations while hearing a petition filed by Advocate Vasuki alleging violations of electoral laws and corrupt practices during the Assembly elections. The petitioner contended that TVK had involved children in election-related activities to influence voters and sought votes through emotional appeals directed at minors. Reference was made to a public meeting allegedly held at YMCA Grounds in Chennai on April 21, where Vijay was stated to have addressed children and urged them to influence the voting preferences of their parents and family members.
According to the plea, videos of children allegedly persuading parents and grandparents regarding voting choices subsequently circulated across social media, television and digital platforms, raising concerns over the use of minors in political campaigning. The petition contended that such conduct violated the ECI guidelines, which prohibited the involvement of children in election-related activities, rallies, campaigns or distribution of political material.
The plea referred to various communications and advisories issued by the Commission in 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2017, which directed political parties and election authorities to ensure that children were not used in any manner during electoral campaigns or political mobilisation exercises.
Apart from allegations against TVK, the petition also levelled accusations of corrupt practices, including cash-for-votes against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The petitioner alleged that the integrity and purity of the electoral process had been compromised due to electoral bribery, undue influence and inducement of voters in several constituencies, including Mylapore, Alangulam and Thirumangalam.
During the proceedings, a counsel pointed out that allegations of corrupt practices under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act were ordinarily adjudicated through election petitions challenging the election of returned candidates under Section 100 of the Act. Questions were also raised regarding whether statutory provisions permit the disqualification of an entire political party for alleged corrupt practices.
The petition further alleged that despite complaints, media reports, videos and other materials being available in the public domain, both the ECI and the Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer failed to conduct an effective or transparent inquiry into the allegations.
Observing that the issues raised in the PIL required examination, the High Court directed the Election Commission to obtain instructions and respond to the allegations raised in the petition.
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