IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN WEDNESDAY, THE 22ND JULY 2009 / 31ST ASHADHA 1931 WP(C).No. 20141 of 2009(K) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- SREEDHARAN NAIR, ELLAMPLACKAL HOUSE, THODANAL P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.SUNIL CYRIAC RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE RETURNING OFFICER, KOZUVANAL GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KOZUVANAL P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT. (ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, MRVP SUBDIVISION NO.1 PALA, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.) ADV. SRI. MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN, S.C. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 22/07/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. Siri Jagan, J. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W. P (C) No. 20141 of 2009 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dated this, the 22nd July, 2009. J U D G M E N T The petitioner is a candidate for the by-election to the Kozuvanal Grama Panchayat . He has filed this writ petition seeking a direction to the respondents to arrange for videographing at the election process in view of the fact that there is likelihood of irregularities in the election, reasons for which are stated in the writ petition. Learned standing counsel for the 1st respondent submits that a report has been obtained from the Collector, as per which the area is a sensitive area and consequently, the DGP has been requested to arrange for adequate police protection for conducting the election. But, he would submit that the situation does not warrant videographing of the election process. 2. I have considered the rival contentions in detail. 3. In view of the fact that it is a sensitive area and the Election Commission themselves had requested for police protection and in view of Exts.P 2 and P3 judgments, I am of opinion that it would be in the interest of transparency in the election process that the petitioner's request be granted. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to arrange for videographing of the polling in the election which is the subject matter of this writ petition scheduled to be held on 23-7-2009 at the expense of the petitioner. However, I make it clear that the expenses incurred by the petitioner in this regard shall be exempted from his election expenses for all purposes. W.P.C. No. 20141/2009 -: 2 :- Because of the urgency, the standing counsel for the 1st respondent shall communicate the gist of the judgment to the respondents by telephone. S. Siri Jagan, Judge. Tds/