Stalin challenges Kolathur election result

On August 24, 2026, DMK president M. K. Stalin filed an election petition in the India — Madras High Court challenging the victory of India — Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate V. S. Babu in the Kolathur Assembly constituency. Stalin, who lost by 8,795 votes, alleged serious irregularities in the post-result verification of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPATs. He sought to have Babu's election declared void and to be declared the duly elected candidate. Stalin also challenged the District Election Officer's order certifying the verification as successful, and requested a 100% count of VVPAT slips and verification of all 286 EVMs used in the constituency. The petition detailed technical malfunctions, discrepancies in vote counts, and alleged that authorities failed to provide adequate explanations. The case is pending before the India — Madras High Court.