J. Chelameswar, J.

The appellant in W.A.No.1745 of 2010 is a candidate aspiring to be a Municipal Counsellor contesting the election from Ward No.24 of the Muvattupuzha Municipality. The election is scheduled to be held on 25th October, 2010. The appellant in the other appeal is an association of persons and a Registered Society under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act. The said association claims that it has membership of 750. Each of the members of the Society/Association is a Small Scale Industry carrying on the business, what is popularly known as 'flex printing' and allied works. For the purpose of their business, the members of the petitioners' association use Poly Vinyl Chloride coated fabric.

2. The grievance of both the appellants is against certain directions issued by the sole respondent herein, the Kerala State Election Commission. The respondent issued directions prohibiting the use of plastic, polythene and flex articles for election campaigning in the ongoing election process under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. Though the said order is not available on record, a press report regarding the issuance of such dire