The Election Commission of India (ECI) informed the Madras High Court that it will hold off on by-elections in five Tamil Nadu Assembly seats until pending election petitions are disposed of. The seats are Tiruchi East, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai and Karur, which fell vacant after the winners resigned following the May 2026 Assembly election. Petitioners in all five also want to be declared elected. The ECI relied on Sections 84 and 151-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Supreme Court rulings. The High Court extended its interim order barring the bypoll notification until September 8, 2026.