Petitioner and the respondent along with four others contested in the General Election to the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Thodupuzha Constituency, styled as 'No.82, Thodupuzha'. The poll took place on 12-6-1991. Petitioner contested as an independent candidate, supported by Samajwadi Janatha Party. Respondent was the candidate of Congress (I), a constituent of the United Democratic Front. Among the other candidates, one belonged to the Kerala Congress (J), one to Bharathiya Janatha Party and the other two were independents.

2. Election to the Kerala Legislative Assembly was notified as per notification published in Kerala Gazette Extraordinary, dated 19-4-1991. The date for polling was fixed as 23-5-1991. On account of the assassination of Sri. Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister, on 21-5-1991, polling was postponed to 12-6-1991. Candidates were permitted by the Election Commission to carry on propaganda work till the evening of 10-6-1991.

3. The 'ashes' of Sri. Rajiv Gandhi was collected in several urns and those urns were sent to different parts of the country to be immersed in various holy rivers. One such urn was brought to Kerala. It was taken to all the Ass