( 1 ) INTRODUCTION: these two writ petitions are filed seeking a Writ of Certiorari to quash the common order of the Election Tribunal-cum-Senior civil Judge, Punganur, in O. P. Nos. 12 and 14 of 2001, dated 3. 8. 2004. Hence, both the writ petitions are being disposed of by this common order. By the impugned order, the learned Election Tribunal set aside the election of the petitioner as Zilla Parishad territorial Constituency (ZPTC) Member of chowdepalle Mandal and further declared, smt. Chandravadana W/o. Venkataramana raju (second respondent in Writ Petition no. 14181 and third respondent in Writ petition No. 14461 of 2004), as duly elected candidate of ZPTC Member of Chowdepalle mandal. In this common order, the parties shall be referred to by their status in Writ petition No. 14461 of 2004.

( 2 ) IN consonance with Part IX of the constitution of India, Andhra Pradesh panchayat Raj Act, 1994 (for short, the act) envisages three-tier Panchayat Raj system. The apex tier constituted under section 177 of the Act is called, Zilla parishad. It consists of Zilla Parishad territorial Constituencies and as per section 178 of the Act every Mandal in the district shall be