JUDGMENT :

The petitioner, who is a member of the 2nd respondent Vechoochira Grama Panchayat, elected from Ward No.7, in the election held in November, 2015, has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Ext.P3 order dated 09.04.2019 of the 3rd respondent Kerala State Election Commission in O.P.No.47 of 2017, a petition filed by the 1st respondent herein under sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Kerala Local Authorities (Prohibition of Defection) Act, 1999 for declaring that the petitioner herein, who was arrayed as the respondent in that original petition, committed defection and hence disqualified to continue as member of Vechoochira Grama Panchayat; and for declaring him as disqualified to contest as candidate in any election to the local authorities for a period of six years.

2. On 26.04.2019, when this writ petition came up for admission, this Court admitted the matter on file and issued notice to respondents 1 and 2 by speed post. The learned Standing Counsel for State Election Commission entered appearance for the 3rd respondent.

3. On 26.04.2019, this Court granted an interim order, whereby the petitioner is p