Vijender Jain, C.J:- (Oral) By this writ petition, the petitioner prays for the issuance of a writ, directing the Election Commission of India, to conduct elections in Beas Assembly Constituency of the State of Punjab, prior to 27.2.2007, the date fixed for declaration of results.

2. The short point, that has been agitated in this petition, and has been argued by counsel for the parties is vital to the conduct of free and fair elections. In a democracy, elections and their purity are essential to sustain democratic institutions. Article 324 of the Constitution of India clothes the Election Commission of India with powers to conduct free and fair elections. The Hon’ble Supreme, Court from N.P. Ponnuswami V. Returning Officer, Namakkal Constituency, 1952 SCR 218 and Mohinder Singh Gill V. Chief Election Commissioner,1978(1) SCC 405 and till today has upheld the primacy of the Election Commission regarding conduct of elections. The controversy in the present case is whether this Court in the exercise of jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, can direct the Election Commission, to prepone the election to a date, prior to the date, fixed for announcement of