Anushri v. Election Commission of India

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, styled as public interest litigation, seeks a direction to the respondents to include awareness regarding the statutory legal penalties and punishment for accepting cash or other inducements for voting as part of election awareness campaign programmes of the respondents through print media, television, social media, public hoardings and other mass media to the voters in the State of Tamil Nadu by considering the petitioner's representation dated 10.02.2026.

¶2The grievance of the petitioner is that free and fair elections form part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India and purity of the electoral process cannot be ensured unless voters are adequately educated about their legal duties and the penal consequences of electoral bribery. Acceptance of money for voting severely affects democratic values.

¶3The petitioner, appearing in person, submits that despite widespread public knowledge of massive cash disbursement by political parties during elections, no effective or sustained awareness campaign has been undertaken by the respondents to explicitly inform voters that receiving cash for voting is illegal and punishable. In this regard, on 10.02.2026, the petitioner has sent a representation to the respondents seeking to include awareness regarding the penal consequences of receiving bribe. Despite receipt of her representation no action whatsoever is taken by the respondents.

¶4We have perused the representation of the petitioner dated

10.02.2026, wherein it is stated that Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections are fast approaching in or around March, 2026 and unless immediate steps are taken to make the voters aware regarding the illegality of accepting money for votes, the elections are likely to witness large-scale electoral malpractices.

¶5The fact remains that Tamil Nadu Legislative Elections-2026 has already been conducted in May, 2026. Therefore, the request for consideration of the petitioner's relief does not arise. However, it would be open to the petitioner to approach the authorities as and when elections are announced in future. With the above observation, the writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

06.08.2026 Index : : bbr To:

1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Election Commission of India Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110 001

2.The Chief Electoral Officer Public (Elections) Department, Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009 W.P.No.30725,of,2026 THE,HON'BLE,CHIEF,JUSTICE ,,,,AND ,G.ARUL,MURUGAN,,J., bbr W.P.No.30725,of,2026 ,,,,,

06.08.2026 Page,6,of,6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06.08.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN Anushri D/o Arujunan,R 4th Nadar Street, Palayasuripalyam, Nambiyur, Erode 638 458. Petitioner-in- person Vs 1.Election Commission of India Rep. by the Additional Chief Secretary, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110 001 2.The Chief Electoral Officer Public (Elections) Department, Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009 Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to include the awareness regarding the statutory legal penalties and punishment for accepting cash or other inducements for voting, as part of the election awareness campaign programmes of the respondents through print media, television, social media, public hoardings and other mass media, to the voters in the State of Tamil Nadu, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 10.02.2026. For Petitioner: Ms.Anushri Petitioner-in-person For Respondents: Mr.Tarun Rao Kallakuru