S.Manikumar, J.

Dr.E.Muralidharan, a Consultant Environmental and Biomedical Engineer, has filed the instant writ petition for a mandamus, directing the Election Commission of India, represented by its Secretary, New Delhi, to display the contesting candidates photograph, educational qualification, profession, assets, and criminal cases in addition to the existing details displayed outside the polling stations immediately, after the finalization of qualified candidates of all parliamentary and legislative elections.

2. Supporting the prayer sought for Mr.K.Sakthivel, learned counsel for the petitioner, referred to Rule 31 of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961, which reads thus.

31. Arrangements at polling stations.

1. Outside each polling station there shall be displayed prominently

(a). A notice specifying the polling area the electors of which are entitled to vote at the polling station and, when the polling area has more than one polling station, the particulars of the electors so entitled; and

(b). A copy of the list of contesting candidates.

2. At each polling station, there shall be set up one or more voting compartments in which electors can record their votes screened from