These batch of writ petitions are filed in respect of the irregularities, illegalities, malpractices and corrupt activities occurred in the process of election conducted to elect the members of the Board for various Co-operative Societies registered under the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act, 1983, across the State.

2. The respective learned counsels, appearing on behalf of the writ petitioners, largely made complaints that the irregularities and illegalities crept in even from the initial stage of election. It is relevant to state that at the time of filing of nominations and even at the time of scrutiny and thereafter various irregularities and illegalities were identified and in some cases, the Election Officers colluded with some contesting candidates and made the election an empty formality.

3. At the outset, the allegations are mostly related to violation of the procedures prescribed under Rule 52 of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Rules and large scale irregularities, illegalities and corrupt activities.

4. The learned counsels, appearing on behalf of the writ petitioners, made a submission that in certain cases these illegalities and corrupt activities were occurred with the assistance of the Election Officers themselves. Further, it is contended that there was no election at all in the eye of law. If at all the elections are to be conducted, the authorities are bound to follow the rules and the procedures prescribed and follow the procedures in a fair and transparent manner. However, the State, being a model, has failed to follow the Rule of Law. Various instances are cited by the learned counsels, appearing on behalf of the writ petitioners and, such instances, even after submission of the representations to the State Election Commission, are kept pending without disposal. Thus, all these writ petitioners are constrained to move these batch of writ petitions, challenging the very election itself.

5. The grievances of the writ petitioners are multi-folded and those grievances are mostly in relation to the process of election and the manner in which the elections were conducted by the Election Officers. Under these circumstances, this Court is bound to consider the basic legal principles to be followed in conduct of elections.

6. Co-operative Societies are registered under the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act. The Act, being a special one, is to be followed scrupulously by the competent authorities and there cannot be any violation. The co-operative movement has been established for the benefit and welfare of the people of a particular locality. The great movement of “co-operation” has now been paralised on account of large scale irregularities and illegalities crept in the administration of these Co-operative Societies. Now the State is witnessing great loss and spirit in this co-operative movement. The co-operative movement is a national level movement which was constituted and developed by some great souls putting their hard work and by contributing their valuable services. Recently, we find drastic deterioration in developing a co-operative movement in the State as well as across the country.

7. This Court would like to know who is responsible for these kinds of deteriorations in respect of such a great movement and the Co-operative Societies. The Co-operative Societies are constituted and registered to cater the needs of the poor and needy people in the villages and urban areas. The people of the villages and urban areas are benefited from and out of these Co-operative Societies. Fair price schemes and systems are implemented by the State through these Co-operative Societies. Thus, it is the duty of the State to see that such co-operative movement is not killed and it must be developed with all means. In order to maintain the Co-operative Societies, the State has to ensure that the administration of such Societies are in tact and elections are conducted in a democratic manner. The cooperative is