Kerala Congress (M) Candidate Moves High Court Challenging Advocate Sajeev Joseph's Election Win In Kannur
K. Salma Jennath
3 Aug 2026 2:25 PM IST
Kerala Congress (M) candidate Advocate Mathew Kunnappally has moved an election petition before the High Court, challenging the victory of Advocate Sajeev Joseph in Kannur district's Irikkur Constitutency in the 2026 Legislative Assembly Elections.
Indian National Congress' Sajeev Joseph had won the election with a vote of 90,895 while Kunnappally was the runner up with 48,469 votes. Four other candidates had also participated in the constituency.
The election is challenged on the ground of defective nomination papers.
When the matter came up today before Justice Easwaran S., time was granted to verify certain defects noted by the Registry. The case is posted to Wednesday (August 5) for further consideration.
Kunnappally has sought for the declaration of Joseph's election as void. He has also sought for himself to be declared as duly elected since he had obtained the largest number of valid votes among the contesting candidates, who were validly nominated.
The petition is moved by Senior Advocate T. Krishnanunni, Advocates Vinod Ravindranath, Meena A., Mini M.R., Anish Antony Anathazhath, Thareeq Anver K., Nivedhitha Prem V., Ananthakrishnan A. Kartha, Mariya Joseph, Ameera Jojo and Stephen V. Thomas.
Case No: Election Petition Filing No. 1 of 2026
Case Title: Adv. Mathew Kunnappally v. Adv. Sajeev Joseph and Ors.
