MOTILAL B. NAIK, J.

( 1 ) BEFORE we decide the principal issue raised in these writ petitions, we briefly narrate the contentions raised in all these writ petitions. WP No. 2481 of 2000: this writ petition is filed by the State election Commission, represented by its secretary, Buddha Bhawan, Secunderabad. Petitioner has questioned the validity of the ordinance No. 3 of 2000 dated 5-2-2000 issued by the State of Andhra Pradesh and the consequential letter dated 10-2-2000 of the first respondent and seeks to quash the same as being untenable and repugnant to Article 243-E (3) of the constitution of India and for issuing appropriate orders.

( 2 ) ACCORDING to the petitioner, as the term of ofice of the Mandal Parishads and zilla Parishads in the State of Andhra pradesh would be expiring on 17-3-2000 and 19-3-2000 respectively, it initiated action for conduct of elections to these bodies by taking appropriate steps, viz. , addressing letters to all the District Collectors instructing them to take all such steps for smooth conduct of elections to Mandal Parishads and Zilla Parishads petitioner-Election commission also issued notification No. 738/ sec-B1/99-20 dated 7-1-2000 notifying t

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