JAYALAKSHMIDEVAMMA Vs. JANARDHAN REDDY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal, under Section 116-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, against the order of the Election Tribunal, Secunderabad, setting aside the election of the appellant to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, from the Alampur Constituency.

(2.) There was a general election in January-March, 1957, to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the single member constituency of Alampur in Mahahoobnagar district. The appellant and the respondent fought the election in a straight contest. The polling took place on 25-2-1957, and en 13-3-1957, the appellant was declared duly elected, she having secured the largest number of votes. The actual number of votes secured by the contestants is not available in the record, but we hava been informed by counsel that 13,345 votes were cast for the appellant and 13,267 votes, for the respondent.

(3.) On 27-4-1957, the respondent herein filed a petition under Sections 80 to 84 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) assailing the validity of the appellants election on the following grounds :