K.SURENDRAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned State Attorney, learned Standing Counsel for the Chief Election Commission, and the learned ASGI for the 6 th respondent i.e. Union of India, and perused the pleadings and documents on record. The following are the reliefs sought for by the petitioner;

(2.) The writ petitioner is the election agent of the candidate at Kannur constituency of the United Democratic Front. The petitioner apprehends that unless and until sufficient precautionary measures are taken, there is likelihood of interference with the free and fair poll that is to take place within the Kannur constituency on 23.04.2019. A detailed statement is filed for and on behalf of the second and fourth respondents that is the Election Commission of India and paragraphs 4 and 6 is relevant to the context which read as follows;

(3.) So also it is submitted that with respect to the issue of identity card issued by the Co-operative banks is taken before the Election Commission of India which is pending consideration. It is also pointed out that during the last Assembly and Parliamentary elections, the identity cards issued by the Co-operative Banks were not permitted to use as an alternative to the electoral photo identity card. Taking into account the aforesaid submissions made across the bar by the respective counsel, I am of the considered view that the writ petition can be disposed of in the light of the statement made by the second and fourth respondents that all precautionary measures are taken in order to ensure free and fair poll within the constituency.