JUDGMENT

AHMADI, J.:— Special leave granted in all SLPS.

Mizoram acquired Statehood on February 20, 1987. At the general election held on January 21, 1989, the respondents of this batch of appeals contested the State Assembly elections as candidates of the Mizo National Front (MNF) from different constituencies. The results of the election were declared on January 23, 1989. They lost to candidates fielded by the Indian National Congress (I). The unsuccessful MNF candidates challenged the election of the Congress (1) candidates mainly on the ground that they had indulged in and were Guilty of corrupt practices. As many as fifteen such election petitions came to be filed in the Gauhati High Court on one single day, March 9, 1989. Although fifteen petitions were filed, one Congress (1) candidate had succeeded from two constituencies and one candidate belonged to the Mizo National Front (Democratic) Party. On service of notice of the filing of the election petitions, the returned candidates entered appearance and raised certain preliminary objections regarding the maintainability of each petition. On the basis thereof two preliminary issues were raised for consideration. The returned ca