C SATHYAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) SINCE these Writ Petitions raise common issue, they are disposed of by this common Judgment. Petitioners have approached this Court in the context of the forthcoming election to the local bodies. The basic apprehension is that the election will not be conducted in a free and fair manner. Petitioners are Convenors, Chairman of Election Committee, Secretaries of different ward committee of the UDF. In one of the writ petitions there is a private party. The prayer is to provide police protection for the conduct of polling. Notice has been served in the matter.

(2.) A statement has been filed on behalf of the State Election Commission. Therein it is inter alia stated as follows:

(3.) HE would point out that under Rule 32 it is open to any polling agent to challenge the identify of person. Rule 33 also deals with safeguards against personation. HE also brought to our notice a Bench decision of this Court a public interest litigation (W.P.(C) No.1080/2010). Therein this Court also relied on the provisions of Rule 31 and repelled the contentions of the petitioner therein for interference by the Court. The Court took the view that it is a matter which should engage the attention of the legislative body. According to the learned standing counsel for the Commission, the decision to categorise the polling stations as sensitive and vulnerable is based on intelligence inputs by the Police Officers.