R.L.Anand, J.

1. Shri Ranjeet Singh son of Jagdev Singh resident of village and Post Office Talwandi Rai, Tehsil Raikot, District Ludhiana, has filed the present election petition under Part VI of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) challenging the election of respondent Harmohinder Singh Pradhan son of S. Kartar Singh, M.L.A. Raikot Tehsil Raikot, District Ludhiana, from Constituency No. 54, i.e. Raikot Assembly Constituency.

2. Shri Ranjeet Singh has staled in the petition that he was a candidate set up by the Sharomani Akali Dal from Constituency No. 54 i.e. Raikot Assembly Constituency in the general elections held on 7th February, 1997, and respondent Shri Harmohinder Singh Pradhan was put up as a candidate by the Indira National Congress and the respondent was declared elected. The polling took place on 7th February, 1997 and the counting took place on 9th February, 1997. The result was declared on 17th February, 1997 and the respondent was declared elected. According to the allegations of the petitioner, the respondent was disqualified from contesting the election to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Under Section 9-A of the Act as on th