ADV. JOSE VARGHESE Vs. KERALA STATE ELECTION COMMISSIONER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The question raised in these matters being identical, they are disposed of by this common judgment.

(2.) The petitioners in these matters are challenging allocation of reserved seats to Ward No.2 of Kothamangalam Municipality, Ward No.11 of Ayiroor Grama Panchayat, Division No.24 of Malappuram Municipality, Ward No.13 of Paravur Block Panchayat, Ward No.18 of Sasthamcotta Grama Panchayat, Ward No.7 of Mylapra Grama Panchayat, Ward No.13 of Sree Moolanagaram Panchayat and Division No.4 of Kondotty Block Panchayat. Petitioners are persons either residing in those wards/divisions or intending to contest election to the local bodies concerned from general seats. The aforesaid wards/ divisions were reserved successively for one or other reserved categories in the elections to the local bodies held during 2010 and 2015. The said wards/divisions are reserved in the ensuing elections to the local bodies also for one or other reserved categories. According to the petitioners, having been successively reserved for two consecutive elections, the said wards/ divisions cannot be reserved for any category in the ensuing election. The petitioners, therefore, seek appropriate directions in this regard in the writ petitions.

(3.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Standing Counsel for the Election Commission.