( 1 ) IN all these four aforementioned writ petitions, since similar questions are involved, with the consent of the parties, they are taken up together and are being disposed of by a common judgment and order.

( 2 ) THE short controversy involved in these petitions is whether the Election Commission is entitled to prescribe alternative mode of identification for the electors apart from that provided under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. Rule 28 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 reads as under: "28. Identity cards for electors in notified constituencies- (1) The Election Commission may, with a view to preventing impersonation of electors and facilitating their identification at the time of poll, by notification in the Official Gazette of the State, direct that the provision of this rule shall apply to (any such constituency or part thereof) as may be specified in the notification:" (2) The registration officer for such notified constituency shall, as soon as may be, after the issue of the notification under sub-rule (1) arrange for the issue to every elector of an identity card prepared in accordance with the pr