RAM AUTAR Vs. KR SATYABIR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS election petition has been filed by an elector Sri Ram Autar. He seeks to challenge the election of the returned Candidate Kunwar Satyabir from 22 Bijnor Assembly Constituency held in June 1977. The election has been challenged on the ground that the result of the election in so far as it concerns the returned candidate has been materially affected by a non-compliance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Conduct of Election Rules and the Provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. In other words, he seeks the election of the respondent to be declared void under S. 100 (1) (d) (iv) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (hereinafter referred to as the Act).

(2.) THE petitioner' s case very briefly stated is as follows : That the Respondent who had filed his nomination seeking the symbol of the Janta Party, had not been able to file a notice in writing signed by the President of the Janta Party by 3 p. m. on the 21st May, 1977 which was the last date for the withdrawal of the candidatures and he was allotted the symbol of a horse and a rider. Sri Kranti Kumar who had also filed his nomination as a candidate for the Janta Party had been able to do so and was allotted the official symbol of the Janta Party by the returning officer after the time for the withdrawal was over. THE returning officer having allotted the symbols to the contesting candidates could not alter the same thereafter. Subsequently, however, the symbol of Kunwar Satyabir was interchanged with that of Shri Kranti Kumar. THE respondent was allotted the official symbol of the Janta Party namely " Haldhar within wheel." This could not be done. This act was in breach of the provisions of Section 38 and Rules 5 and 10 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 read with Paragraphs 8 and 13 (b) of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. THE result of the election had been materially affected inasmuch as if this had not been done Kranti Kumar would have contested as the official candidate of the Janta Party. He would have lost the election as his public image was not good. THE Congress candidate would have won the election. Kunwar Satyabir would not have won the election as an independent candidate. Since Kunwar Satyabir had not filed the authorisation by the President of the Janta Party by 3 P. M. on 21st May, 1977 the returning officer could not recognise Kunwar Satyabir as the candidate set up by the Janta Party and the provisions of Paragraph 18 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 does not empower the Election Commission to permit a political party to change its symbol after the last date of withdrawal of the candidatures. Under Paragraph 13 (b) of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 Kunwar Satyabir could not have been recognised as the official candidate of the Janta Party. Farther the Election Commission of India had no power to issue any direction or instructions to the Chief Electoral Officer after the last date of withdrawal was over and the returning officer had no jurisdiction or power to modify or alter the list of contesting candidates after 3 P.M. on 21st May, 1977. On these grounds the petitioner sought a declaration that the election of the returned candidate Kunwar Satyabir had been materially affected and it be declared void.

(3.) THERE is no dispute between the parties that the questions involved in this election petition are principally questions of law. The questions are whether the symbols once allotted by the returning officer could be changed subsequently and whether the Election Commission had any power to issue any direction to the returning officer after the last date of the withdrawal of the candidates. Before I take up these questions it would be necessary to set down the relevant facts which are not disputed.