THANGADURAI Vs. COMMISSIONER CO

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to videograph the entire process of election i.e., filing of nomination, scrutinizing of nomination, polling and counting to be conducted in the 4th respondent society.

(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that as per notification, the filing of nomination forms is fixed today i.e. on 09.04.2018 from 10.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m. in the building of the fourth respondent society and the scrutiny of the nomination forms is also going to be made on 10.04.2018 from 11.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m. He would further submit that the publication of eligible candidates will be on 10.04.2018 at 05.00 p.m. and the withdrawal of nomination will be on 11.04.2018 from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and the publication of final list of contesting candidates will be on 11.04.2018 itself at 05.00 p.m. and in case of any contest, the polling will be held on 16.04.2018 from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and counting of votes and declaration of results are scheduled on 17.04.2018 from 10.00 a.m. onwards.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that although the notification mentions the dates and events, in reality, the respondents did not publish the eligible voters' list on 28.03.2018 as per the notification, due to which the members are put into dark without knowing whether they have vote or not. It is further submitted that since the third respondent did not follow the procedure, it creates a suspicion in the minds of the members over the conduct of election and therefore, it is necessary to videograph the entire process of election i.e., filing of nomination, scrutinisation, polling and counting. The petitioner has also made a representation on 04.04.2018 to the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Election Commissioner with the following prayers: