The Election Commision Of India v. R. Sridhar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 14.11.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN in ELP.No.1 of 2025

1. The Election Commission of India, Nirvachansadam, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110 001.

2. The Returning Officer, District Election Officer and District Collector, Collectorate, GST Road, Chengalpattu-603 001.

... Applicants vs.

1. R.Sridhar

2. T.R.Balu ... Respondents Prayer:- Original Application filed under Order XIV Rule 8 of the Original Side Rules and Rule 3 of the Madras High Court Election Petition Rules, 1967 read with Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code, to permit the applicants to release the M3 Electronic Voting Machines used for the Elections from No.05, Sriperumpudur Parliamentary Constituency in the General Election for the Lok Sabha held on Page No.1 of 4

19.04.2024, challenged in the main Election Petition No.01 of 2025 and use it for further elections.

For Applicants : Mr.Niranjan Rajagopalan for M/s.G.R.Associates For R1 : Mr.P.V.Paul Kanagaraj For R2 : M/s.P.Wilson Associates

ORDER

This petition has been filed to permit the applicants to release the M3 Electronic Voting Machines used for the Elections from No.05, Sriperumpudur Parliamentary Constituency in the General Election for the Lok Sabha held on 19.04.2024, challenged in the main Election Petition No.01 of 2025 and use it for further elections. 2.

Despite giving opportunity, the respondents in this application have not filed any counter affidavit. 3.

Considering the fact that M3 Electronic Voting Machines cannot be kept endlessly as they are required for conduct of upcoming elections in other States and the next Assembly election to the Page No.2 of 4

State of Tamil Nadu and also the fact that the petitioner in the main Election Petition has not sought to preserve the M3 Electronic Voting Machines and that the respondents herein also have not raised any objection by way of filing counter affidavit, this Court is satisfied with the reasons stated in the present application. 4.

Accordingly, this Original Application is allowed as prayed for.

14.11.2025 Index : Yes / No : Yes / No bala To

1. The Election Commission of India, Nirvachansadam, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110 001.

2. The Returning Officer, District Election Officer and District Collector, Collectorate, GST Road, Chengalpattu-603 001.

Page No.3 of 4

P.VELMURUGAN , J.

bala in ELP.No.1 of 2025 14.11.2025 Page No.4 of 4