BATHINA BABY JYOTSNA Vs. GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ appeal is directed against the order dated 30-8-2001, passed by a learned single Judge of this Court, dismissing the writ petition being WP No.17977 of 2001, filed by the appellant, on the question of maintainability.

(2.) Heard the learned Counsel for the appellant, the learned Additional Advocate-General for the State and the learned Standing Counsel for the Election Commission.

(3.) The appellant submits that certain irregularities were committed in the conduct of elections to the office of Sarpanch. Chandurthi Gram Panchayat, GoIIaprole Mandal, East Godavari District, and that she made a representation to the Election Officer requesting him to recount the votes. The Election Officer, who agreed for recounting of the votes, in fact recounted only the invalid votes, and passed an order stating that she received 87 invalid votes from the Supervisors, and after thorough verification, four votes were decided as valid, and as such, the invalid votes are 83 only. The appellant, thereupon, made a representation dated 18-8-2001 to the District Collector, reiterating the alleged irregularities. On the very same day, the District Collector passed an order, which reads: