(1.) In this application a declaration is sought that the election of all the respondents as members of the Andhra Bar Council is null and void. The applicant was one of the candidates for the elections to the Andhra Bar Council that were held on 6/1/1955. Thirty-four members of the Bar contested the elections of whom the ten respondents were declared duly elected, the applicant securing only the 24th rank.
(2.) All the respondents filed counters denying the allegations in the letter of the applicant.
(3.) At the hearing of the application, a preliminary objection was raised that one application for setting aside the election of the respondents was maintainable and the application should, therefore, be dismissed 'in limine'. To appreciate this contention, it is necessary to set out the relevant provisions of the Andhra Bar Council Rules. Rule 21 provides :