The Madras High Court on Friday, 29 May 2026, orally observed that the use of children in election campaigns was “bad” while hearing a public interest litigation alleging corrupt electoral practices by political parties, including the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), during the recently concluded 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, as reported in LiveLaw.
The PIL alleges corrupt practices by the TVK, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) during the Assembly polls. Following the election, the TVK formed the government, with actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay being sworn in as Chief Minister.
A division bench comprising Justices GR Swaminathan and V Lakshminarayanan was hearing the matter. The court had issued notice last week to the TVK, DMK and AIADMK. On Friday, a similar plea seeking comparable relief was also placed before the bench.
The hearing was adjourned after Senior Advocate S. Muralidhar, appearing for the TVK, and Advocate Niranjan Rajagopal, standing counsel for the Election Commission of India (ECI), sought time to file their counters.
During the proceedings, the bench orally remarked that involving children in election campaigns was inappropriate. Justice Swaminathan recounted a personal experience from polling day.
“This is bad right. Use of children…I’ll tell you something. When I was going to vote, my grandchild was saying, ‘ Thaatha, you have to vote for Vijay only’,” the court orally said.
Arguing for the TVK, Muralidhar contended that the petition had been filed entirely on the basis of media reports. He submitted that the case raised questions regarding the powers of the Election Commission to intervene after the conclusion of elections for alleged violations that occurred when the Model Code of Conduct was in force.
He further submitted that the case would require examination of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct as well as the definition of “undue influence” under the Representation of the People Act. Muralidhar argued that there was presently no provision for disqualifying a political party, but only for deregistering one, and that the court would have to consider whether deregistration could arise in the circumstances of the case.
Senior Advocate NR Elango, appearing for the DMK, argued that if the petitioners were alleging corrupt electoral practices, they ought to have impleaded the concerned returned candidates as parties to the proceedings.
The PIL was filed by advocate L. Vasuki, who alleged that various illegal activities took place during the Assembly elections, including electoral bribery, cash-for-votes schemes, undue influence on voters, and the use of minor children for electoral propaganda and indirect voter influence.
According to the petition, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, who is also the president of the TVK, had during the campaign called upon children to emotionally influence or pressure their parents to vote for the party. The petitioner argued that such conduct raised serious concerns regarding undue influence under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act.
The plea also referred to allegations of money distribution and cash-for-votes practices in multiple constituencies. It alleged that despite complaints being widely circulated, the Election Commission had failed to take action.
The petitioner contended that the alleged inaction of the Election Commission undermined the conduct of free and fair elections, thereby violating Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and impacting the basic structure doctrine.
Vasuki has sought a court-monitored, time-bound and independent inquiry into the allegations of corrupt electoral practices allegedly committed by the three major political parties during the election campaign.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
