JUDGMENT

CHANDRACHUD, CJI.:— These three Election Petitions are filed under S. 14 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act. 1952 to challenge the election of Respondent 1. Giani Zail Singh. as the President of India. The election to the office of the President of India was held on July 12. 1982. In all. 36 candidates had filed nomination papers including Shri Charan Lal Sahu who is the Petitioner in Petition No. 2 of 1982 and Shri Nem Chandra Jain who is the Petitioner in Election Petition No. 3 of 1982. The Returning Officer accepted the nomination papers of two candidates only: Giani Zail Singh and Shri H. R. Khanna. a retired Judge of this Court. The result of the election was Published in the Extraordinary Gazette of India on July 15. 1982 declaring Giani Zail Singh as the successful candidate. He took oath of office on July 25. 1982.

2. We will first take up for consideration Election Petition, 2 and 3 of 1982 which are filed respectively by Shri Charan Lal Sahu and Shri Nem Chandra Jain both of whom, incidentally are Advocates

Election Petitions Nos. 2 & 3 of 1982:-

3. In Petition No. 2 of 1982. the Petitioner asks for the following reliefs:

"(1) That the Constitut