HC refuses to stay ECI order cancelling party registrations

The Madras High Court has refused to grant interim relief against the Election Commission of India’s decision to cancel the registration of several political parties. The court declined to stay the order, observing that granting such relief at this stage would amount to restoring the parties’ recognition before a full hearing.
The Election Commission had recently cancelled the registrations of hundreds of political parties across the country, including several from Tamil Nadu, citing failure to contest elections and non-submission of mandatory financial and compliance reports for several years.
Aggrieved by the move, some of the affected parties approached the High Court, contending that the Commission did not have the authority to cancel their registrations in such a manner. However, the court refused to intervene immediately and posted the matter for further hearing, allowing the legal challenge to continue without granting interim protection.