ANUGRAH NARAIN SINGH Vs. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) This is an appeal against an order passed by the Division Bench of the Allahabad High Court on 13-11-1995 whereby municipal elections in the State of Uttar Pradesh, which were scheduled to take place from 17-11-1995 to 20-11-1995, were cancelled and/or postponed. Anugrah Narain Singh, who is a former member of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Uttar Pradesh and Mrs. Rashid Khan, a candidate for the post of Mayor, Allahabad, are the appellants herein.

(3.) No municipal election had taken place in the State of Uttar Pradesh for the last ten years. Appellant 1 moved a writ petition in the Allahabad High Court praying for a direction upon the State Government to hold elections of the Municipal Corporations by 31-5-1994. The petition succeeded. The Allahabad High Court directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to hold the elections of the Municipal Corporations by 31-7-1995. On the prayer of the Government, the time was extended till 31-11-1995 with specific direction to conclude the election by that time. On 11-10-1995 a notification was issued for holding elections for all town areas and Municipal Corporations in the State of Uttar Pradesh. 16-10-1995 to 20-10-1995 were the date within which filing of nominations had to be completed and 24-10-1995 was fixed as the last date of withdrawal. Voting was to take place in different stages in different areas of the State beginning on 17-11-1995 and concluding on 20-11-1995.