1. The issue that arises for consideration in both these Writ Petitions is, whether the Electoral Officer has the power to remove the names of ineligible persons from the preliminary voters’ list, while considering the objections to the said list.

2. Since the issue raised is common, these Writ Petitions are considered and disposed of together. The essential facts are not in dispute.

3. The election of office bearers of the Idukki District Police Co-operative Society Ltd. No.(I) 490 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Society’ for short) is scheduled to be conducted on 17.02.2013. The term of the present Managing Committee in office expires on 03.03.2013. Therefore, the Managing Committee has decided to conduct a fresh election on 17.02.2013. Accordingly, an election notification dated 29.12.2012 has been published, which is Ext.P1 in both these Writ Petitions. In accordance with the schedule contained in Ext.P1, the preliminary voters’ list was published on 16.01.2013. The said list contained a total number of 2625 persons. The objections were called for, to the preliminary voters’ list. Objections were considered and a final voters’ list was published on 24.01.2013. Accordi