SHAKUNTLA DEVI Vs. STATE OF U.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is elected Chairperson of Nagar Palika Parishad, Siswan Bazar, District Maharajganj. She has challenged the notification dtd. 26/4/2022 issued by respondent no.1, the State Government, addressed to District Magistrates of 67 districts, directing them to initiate exercise for delimitation of wards in 151 Municipalities, which have been newly constituted or have undergone extension of municipal limits since the last general election. The list of such Municipalities is annexed alongwith the impugned notification. Nagar Palika Parishad, Siswan Bazar is at serial no.22. The petitioner has also prayed for a writ of mandamus restraining the respondents from initiating process for holding fresh election of Nagar Palika Parishad, Siswan Bazar, Maharajganj expected to be held by the end of the year - 2022 and from interfering in the functioning of the petitioner as Chairperson of Nagar Palika Parishad, Siswan Bazar until the expiry of the term of Nagar Palika on 31/3/2027 unless dissolved earlier.

(2.) The above reliefs have been claimed in the backdrop of following facts:

(3.) The State respondents as well as the State Election Commission U.P. have filed separate counter affidavits. In reply, the petitioner has filed separate rejoinder affidavits.