1. In all these writ application, common question of law and fact arise for consideration and as such they are being disposed of by a common order.

2. The writ applications pertains to the validity of election of President of the Janpad Panchayat, Mandla. One Ravi Thakur (hereinafter referred to as the returned candidate) was declared elected as a President of Janpad Panchayat, Mandla and his election as such was challenged by one Shiv Shankar Patel (hereinafter referred to as the election petitioner) by filing an election petition under section 122 of the M.P. Panchayat Raj Act 1993 before the Collector.

Writ Petition No. 3802/94 : This writ application has been preferred by the returned candidate challenging the order dated 27.9.1994 passed by the Collector, whereby his prayer for dismissal of the election petition on the ground that the election petitioner did not deposit the security cost at the time of presentation of the election petition, has been negatived and it has been held that as the security cost was deposited within the period of limitation, the election petition does not suffer from any legal defect and consequently the Collector directed for admission of the