IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.S.GOPINATHAN TUESDAY, THE 7TH APRIL 2009 / 17TH CHAITHRA 1931 WP(C).No. 11789 of 2009(P) -------------------------- PETITIONER: --------------- SUDHEERAN.K.P., S/O.BALAN, AGED 33 YEARS, OLORI HOUSE, PATTANNOOR P.O., NALUPERIYA, MATTANNOOR, KANNUR. BY ADV. SRI.C.P.PEETHAMBARAN RESPONDENTS: --------------- 1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KANNUR. 2. THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, IRITTY, KANNUR. 3. THE C.I. OF POLICE, MATTANNOOR PALACE POLICE STATION, KANNUR. 4. THE S.I. OF POLICE, MATTANNOOR POLICE STATION, KANNUR. GOVT. PLEADER SRI. P.A. SALIM. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07/04/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: P.R. RAMAN & P.S. GOPINATHAN, JJ. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = W.P.(C) NO. 11789 OF 2009 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DATED THIS, THE 7TH DAY OF APRIL, 2009. J U D G M E N T Raman, J. Petitioner seeks for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to provide adequate police protection to him to enable him to reach the poling station at P.K.C. Higher Secondary School, Pattannur, Nayattupara from his house and also to sit as a Poling agent for the UDF Candidate for the ensuing Loksabha election, which will be held on 16.4.2009. 2. It is for the Electoral Officer who has to ensure a free and fair election. Being an independent authority, he has got all the powers to ensure the above and to give necessary directions to the Department wherever found necessary. In the absence of the Chief Electoral Officer in the party array, no effective relief can be granted to the petitioner. Hence we dismiss this writ petition; however, without prejudice to the right of the petitioner for approaching the Chief Electoral Officer for necessary relief. P.R. RAMAN, JUDGE. P.S. GOPINATHAN, JUDGE. KNC/-