JUDGMENT :

A.S. SUPEHIA, J.

1. Rule. Learned advocates appear and waive service of notice of Rule on behalf of the respective respondents.

2. The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner, who contested the election for the post of Sarpanch of Dalpura Group Gram Panchayat, Taluka Danta, reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates. The respondent–State Government issued a Notification on 29.11.2021 under the provisions of the Gujarat Panchayat Election Rules, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as “the Rules of 1994”), more particularly under Rule 9(1) and (2), notifying the election for the post of Sarpanch of Dalpura Gram Panchayat, scheduled to be held on 19.12.2021. The petitioner, as well as the respondent Nos.2 to 7, submitted their nomination forms to contest the election for the reserved seat. Accordingly, the election was conducted on 19.12.2021.

3. It is the case of the petitioner that the Election Officer committed serious irregularities in the counting and recounting of votes, which necessitated her to file an Election Petition under Section 31 of the Gujarat Panchayat Act , 1993 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act of 1993”), before the Court of the learned Principal S