Madras High Court Dismisses Plea To Extend Nomination Period For TN Assembly Elections 2026

The Madras High Court has dismissed a plea seeking directions to the Election Commision of India to extend the nomination filing period for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. It may be noted that the nomination period for the TN Assembly elections was fixed from March 30, 2026, to April 6, 2026.

The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan dismissed a petition filed by Chinna Maharaja of Tirunelveli District. The court noted that the schedule for the election was fixed by the Election Commission of India as per Section 30 of the Representation of Peoples Act and the court could not extend such time limit.

"The present writ petition seeks mandamus directing the respondent to extend the nomination filing period from 30/3/226 to 6/4/26 for the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections by considering the representation dated 23/3/26. The Election Commission of India has fixed the schedule for general elections on 15/3/26 in compliance to Section 30 of the Representation of Peoples Act. Prayer sought for extension of time for filing nominations cannot be extended in view of Section 30 of the Act. We are not inclined to entertain the petition, and the same is dismissed," the court said.

As per Section of 30 of the RP Act, as soon as the notification calling upon a constituency to elect a member or members is issued, the Election Commission shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint

(a) the last date for making nominations, which shall be the seventh day after the date of publication of the first mentioned notification or, if that day is a public holiday, the next succeeding day which is not a public holiday;

(b) the date for the scrutiny of nominations, which shall be the day immediately following the last date for making nominations or, if that day is a public holiday, the next succeeding day which is not a public holiday;

(c) the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures, which shall be the second day after the date for the scrutiny of nominations or, if that day is a public holiday, the next succeeding day which is not a public holiday;

(d) the date or dates on which a poll shall, if necessary, be taken, which or the first of which shall be a date not earlier than the fourteenth day after the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures; and

(e) the date before which the election shall be completed.

The petitioner had argued that the four days in between the nomination period were holidays (on account of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter) and there was a very short period for the candidates to file their nominations. The petitioner had thus sought to extend the nomination period.

The court, however, refused to entertain the plea, noting that it could not interfere in such matter when the time limit had already been fixed by the Election Commission of India.

Case Title: Chinna Maharaja v The Election Commission of India and another

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 150

Case No: WP 12583 of 2026