( 1 ) KESHAV Jadhav, the writ petitioner, who contested as an independent candidate for the State Legislative Assembly from 214-Maharajgunj Constituency, assails the correctness of the order No. 76/ap/la/97, dated 8-2-1999 issued by the Election Commission of India, disqualifying him to be chosen as and for being a member of either House of Parliament or the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a State for a period of three years, for his failure to lodge the account of election expenses, as required under the provisions of Representation of the People Act, 1951 (for brevity the Act) in this writ petition.

( 2 ) ON receipt of report dated 18-1-1995 and 29-3-1995 from the District Election Officer, under Rule 89 (1) of the Election of Conduct Rules, 1961 (for brevity the Rules), that all the contesting candidates from 214 Maharajgunj constituency have lodged their account of election expenses except the petitioner and 9 other candidates, a notice dated 9-1-1996 was issued to the petitioner under Rule 89 (5) of the Rules, by the Election Commission calling upon the petitioner to show cause as to why he should not be disqualified under S. 10-A of the Act. I