The election commission has canceled the bye-elections that were planned to be conducted for the Thiruvarur constituency following the death of former DMK chief Kalaignar M Karunanidhi. The bye-elections were announced to be held on January 28 by the election commission.

 However, many political parties were already opposing the move, demanding the cancellation of bye-election as the relief activities for Gaja cyclone-affected areas are still in progress. Parties like DMK, AMMK, Naam Thamizhar had already announced their candidates for the constituency and started their election campaign plans, while the ruling AIADMK had not announced their candidate and BJP had been demanding the cancellation of the bye-election. 

The Election commission of India had requested the TN election commission to submit a report on the situations and environment prevailing in the state for elections, following which the report was sent. In an unexpected turn, the election commission of India has instructed the TN election commission to stop all activities related to Thiruvarur bye-elections, and this announcement of the date and subsequent cancellation of the election has been met with angry response from various political parties.