BHAGWATI, J. :- Yesterday, on the conclusion of the arguments, we passed an order allowing the petition and making the rule absolute by issuing a writ of certiorari quashing and setting aside the order of the first respondent dated 12th January 1967. We now proceed to state our reasons for making the order.

2. The Petitioner is the erstwhile Ruler of the quondam State of Wadhwan. Though according to the petitioner, he was ordinarily resident in Wadhwan, his name did not appear in the electoral roll for the Wadhwan Assembly Constituency and he, therefore, made an application to the Electoral Registration Officer for inclusion of his name in the electoral roll of the Wadhwan Assembly Constituency under S. 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The application was on a printed form which was supplied by the Electoral Registration Officer on a request being made in that behalf and it was supported by one Trambaklal Mohanlal Dave, who was an elector on the electoral roll of the Wadhwan Assembly Constituency. The application was made on 15th December 1966 and on 17th December 1966 the Electoral Registration Officer directed that one copy of the application be posted in