1.These writ petitions are filed with regard to the election

conducted to the posts of Chairperson and Vice-chairperson of

the Community Development Scheme of the Kudumbashree

Project. The petitioner in W.P.(C).No.8437/2018 was a

candidate to the office of the Chairperson of the Community

Development Scheme of Kochi East, while the petitioner in

W.P.(C).No.4744/2018 was a candidate to the post of Vice

Chairperson. It is stated that the Kudumbasree is a project of

the Kerala Government under the women empowerment and

poverty eradication programme formed and enforced by the

State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM). The Community

Developmental Society (CDS for short) is to elect a

Chairperson and Vice chairperson. Exhibit P1 is the rules

framed by the Government for the conduct of election to the

said posts. The rules provide for conduct of the general body

consisting of all the elected governing committee members of

the area committees within the area of operation of the CDS.

The Governing body of the CDS elected from among the

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members of the CDS is to meet and elect the Chairperson and

Vice-chairperson of the CDS.

2.It is submitted that an election as contemplated to the post of

Chairperson and Vice-chairperson of the CDS was held on

25.01.2018. Smt.Sujatha Venugopal (the 7^th respondent) and

the petitioner in W.P.(C).No.8437 of 2018 were proposed as

candidates in the election. Twelve votes were polled in the

favour of the 7^th respondent and eleven votes in favour of the

petitioner and the 7^th respondent was declared elected.

Immediately thereafter, one delegate Smt.Sheela Sebastian

raised an objection that the 7^th respondent is a Board member

of the Edappally Service Co-operative Bank Ltd.No.328 and is

therefore disqualified. Though the 7^th respondent claimed that

she had resigned, since the claim could not be substantiated,

the election already conducted was set at nought and a fresh

election to the post of chairperson was conducted. The

petitioner in W.P.(C).No.8437 of 2018 and Smt.Zohera Ashraf

were proposed as candidates. The petitioner was declared

elected. To the post of vice-chairperson, Smt.Jancy Martin,

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petitioner in W.P.(C).No. 4744/2018 was declared elected.

Exhibit P3 is the minutes. However, before the oath taking

ceremony on 26.1.2018, the District Election Officer, the 2^nd

respondent informed that the election is kept in abeyance due

to complaint by the 7^th respondent. Exhibit P6 proceedings

was issued on 30.1.2018 cancelling the elections and directing

a fresh round of election. It is stated that the petitioner was

never put on notice or heard before Ext.P6 was issued.

Against the same Exhibit P7 appeal was preferred by the

petitioner before the District Collector. But no orders were

passed thereon. This writ petition was filed on 12.03.2018.

3. In W.P.(C).No.4744 of 2018 the petitioner, who was the

returned candidate to the post of Vice-chairperson contends

that there was no whisper of challenge as against her election

and challenges Exhibits P4 and P5 orders to the extent they

invalidate the election to the post of Vice-chairperson without

any complaint being raised and without notice to the

petitioner.

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4.A detailed counter affidavit has been placed on record in W.P.

(C).No.8437 of 2018 by the 2^nd respondent along with an

application to vacate the interim order. It is contended that in

the election conducted on 25.1.2015, the 7^th respondent was

elected as the Chairperson. It is stated that the said election

was cancelled by the Returning Officer consequent to an

objection raised by a voter. It is stated that an appeal taken by

the 7^th respondent as against the illegal step of cancellation of

election and conducting of fresh election by the returning

officer had been considered by the appellate authority and

finding that the setting aside of the election and conduct of the

fresh election by the Returning Officer