K.K. Lahoti, J.

This petition is directed against the order dated 29-6-2006 by the S.D.O. Lanji District Balaghat in Election Petition No. 7A/89/04-05 by which the Election Tribunal has dismissed the election petition filed by the Petitioner. This order has been assailed by the Petitioner on following grounds:

i) That the election Petitioner challenged the election of Respondent No. 1 by filing an election petition u/s 122 of M.P. Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam, 1993 in which serious allegations were made including irregularities during counting and rejection of prayer of the Petitioner for re-counting.

ii) Respondents though opposed the election petition but the Tribunal without following procedure envisaged under Rule 11 of M.P. Panchayat (Election Petition Corrupt Practices and Disqualification for Membership) Rules, 1995 (hereinafter referred to as Rules) has dismissed the election petition merely on the preliminary objection without framing issues and recording evidence.

iii) That in the case serious questions were involved and without extending an opportunity to the Petitioner to produce evidence in support of his contention the Election Tribunal erred in dismissing the election pe