V.L. Bhat, C.J. -- 1. Thse appeals are filed by the State Election Commission constituted under Art. 243-K of the Constitution and section 42 of the M.P. Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam, 1994 (for short 'the Act') against the common order passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P. Nos. 2102/94, 2100/94 and 2101/94 filed by the respective first respondents in these appeals.

2. The cases arise in regard to the election for the post of one Sarpanch in each of three Panchayats, Utiyakalan, Ahmadpur and Maheshwar respectively. We will refer to the facts in L.P.A. No. 142/94 which relates to a seat reserved for ladies. Three ladies, namely, first respondent Pramilabai, fifth respondent Manoramabai and one Shakunbai, filed nominations. On the day of scrutiny of nominations namely, 3.5.1994, the nominations of Manoramabai and Shakunbai were rejected by the Returning Officer, thereby leaving only one candidate with a valid nomination. Rejection of nomination papers was effected because of alleged unauthorised over-writing in the nomination papers in regard to serial number and the ward number in the voters lists of the candidate and the proposer. 5.5.1994 was the last date fixed for withdr