JUDGMENT :

1. The instant election petition has been filed on behalf of Birendra Mandal (election petitioner) in terms of provisions of Section 80 (A)(2) and Section 81 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 challenging the election of the sole respondent Irfan Ansari, who has been declared elected from 09, Jamtara Assembly Constituency as a member of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly for which the election was held on 20.12.2014 and result was declared on 23.12.2014.

2. Election petition was filed on 29.01.2015 and on 01.05.2015, the election petition was admitted for hearing and notices were issued to sole respondent and requisites were directed to be filed under registered cover and rule was made returnable on 26.06.2015.

3. On 18.12.2015, sole respondent appeared through his counsel and time was given to file written statement.

4. The case of the election petitioner in his plaint is as follows:-

(i) That in view of the notification issued by the Election Commission of India for holding General Assembly Election for the constitution of Jharkhand State Legislative Assembly, for holding election in 09, Jamtara Assembly Constituency different dates were also notified as given below.