JUDGMENT :

The petitioners in all these writ petitions are the members of Edathala Grama Panchayat based on an election held in the year 2010. They were ordered to be disqualified by a common order of the Kerala State Election Commission dated 27.1.2016. This order is arising from different petitions filed by one A.A.Mayin, the second respondent in all these writ petitions. The petitioners herein were ordered to be disqualified for contesting as candidates in an election to any local authorities for a period of six years from the date of the order, i.e. 27.1.2016.

2. Since common question on facts and law is involved, that too arising out of a common order, it is appropriate to dispose these cases by a common judgment. The exhibits referred to in this judgment are the exhibits referred to by the Election Commission in the common order.

3. The petitioners and A.A.Mayin were elected to the Grama Panchayat in the election contested with the party symbol of Congress. Indian National Congress (INC) was part of a coalition called United Democratic Front (UDF). The other constituent of UDF was Muslim League. INC secured eight seats and Muslim League secured two seats; rival political party,