JUDGMENT

Dated this the 13^th day of November, 2025 The writ petition is filed challenging Ext.P3 order of the State Election Commission dated 06.10.2019.

2. The short facts necessary for consideration are as follows: The petitioner was one among the members elected to the Committee of the Chittattukara Grama Panchayat in the elections held in November 2015. He was elected from Ward No.16 of the Panchayat. There are 18 wards in the Chittattukara Grama Panchayat, out of which the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) secured 8 seats each. One seat was won by an independent candidate supported by Indian National Congress, and the remaining one seat was won by an independent candidate who contested without the support of any political party.

3. After the election, the Parliamentary Party of the INC decided that the 2^nd respondent should be elected as President and will continue for initial 2½ years. Accordingly, the 2nd respondent assumed office and continued for 2½ years. Thereafter, as per the party decision, he resigned from the post on 18.04.2018, necessitating a fresh election to the post of President, which was scheduled on

16.05.2018.

4. It is stated th