The Madras High Court has requested a reply from the Election Commission of India following a public interest litigation accusing Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of employing children to sway voters during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan of the division bench heard the plea filed by advocate Vasuki, raising concerns about potential electoral misconduct by political parties. The bench questioned the legal repercussions of alleged corrupt practices by political entities, pondering whether a party could face disqualification under election laws.
The court deliberated on the involvement of children in electoral processes, with the petitioner highlighting accusations of “vote-for-money” practices and children being utilized for electoral influence. Notably, TVK President Vijay’s public acknowledgment of children post-election was cited as evidence of their participation in the campaign. The court acknowledged the gravity of the allegations and instructed the Election Commission to provide guidance and respond to the issue, indicating a need for further investigation.
The petition alleged a compromise in the integrity and fairness of the electoral process during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections due to instances of electoral bribery, undue influence, and the purported exploitation of children for political purposes. Specific mention was made of a public gathering at the YMCA Grounds in Chennai where Vijay allegedly urged children to influence their parents’ voting decisions. The plea also referenced past Election Commission directives prohibiting children’s involvement in election-related activities, campaigns, rallies, or propaganda.
