1.Heard.
This petition under Art.227 of the Constitution of India is preferred against order dated 26-12-2012 by which the Election Tribunal has allowed the election petition filed by respondent No. 1 declaring the election of the petitioner / returned candidate void.

2. Brief resumption of relevant facts necessary for decision of the petition are that election to the office of Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat - Chilfi was conducted on 31-1-2010 under the provisions of C.G. Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam , 1993 (for short 'Panchayat Act' ) and C.G. Panchayats (Election Petitions, Corrupt Practices and Disqualification for Membership) Rules, 1995 (for short 'Panchayat Election Petitions Rules'). In the said election, the petitioner was declared having received highest number of votes i.e. 297 amongst all the candidates including respondents. Thereafter, the petitioner was declared elected and declaration to that effect was issued in