JUDGMENT

Petitioner is a nominated candidate for election to the post of Chairperson in the Area Development Society (ADS), in the 54th Division of the Corporation of Cochin. The election was scheduled on 22.01.2018. The election event was controlled by an election officer deputed from the Corporation of Cochin, and the election is conducted as per Ext.P1 election norms. As per the norms, a lady will preside the election event, and 7 delegates are to be nominated to the apex body viz., CDS, by way of nomination/election by secret ballot, if required, or the circumstances warrant. According to the petitioner, the election was smoothly conducted in which the petitioner is nominated as the Chairperson of the ADS, and the 4th respondent is elected as the Vice Chairperson of the ADS. Five other members are also nominated to represent the ADS of the 54th Division to participate in the CDS election which was scheduled on 25.01.2018.

2. However, subsequent to the election, on the very next day, 4th respondent filed a complaint, alleging election malpractices in the ADS election by the Election Officer/Returning Officer. As per the election norms, a complaint is to be submitted to the Distric