V.M. Jain, J. - This election petition has been filed by the petitioner namely Harmohinder Singh Pradhan challenging the election of respondent No. 1 Ranjeet Singh Talwandi, from Raikot Assembly Constituency, to the Punjab Legislative Assembly, for which the polling was held on 13.2.2002 and the result was declared on 24.2.2002 and also for holding respondent No. 1, Ranjeet Singh Talwandi, having committed corrupt practice, with a further prayer that the petitioner namely Harmohinder Singh Pradhan, be declared to have been duly elected from the aforesaid Raikot Assembly Constituency. The petitioner has also sought direction for holding fresh election to the Raikot Assembly Constituency, as the same had not been held in accordance with the voters list of 1999, which was revised in 2001 and then in 2002.

2. In the election petition it was alleged by the petitioner that he had contested the general election to the Punjab Legislative Assembly from Raikot Assembly Constituency, district Ludhiana. It was alleged that the Election Commission of India, had issued the election programme for election to the Punjab Legislative Assembly, according to which the last date for filing nom