IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC WEDNESDAY, THE 26TH AUGUST 2009 / 4TH BHADRA 1931 WP(C).No. 24662 of 2009(C) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- MATHEW JOSEPH,S/O.K.M.JOSEPH,AGED 42 YRS PRESIDENT,PALLIPURAM VILLAGE SERVICE,CO.OP.BANK LTD,NO.335,PALLIPPURAM.P.O,CHERTHALA. BY ADV. SRI.K.JAJU BABU SMT.M.U.VIJAYALAKSHMI SRI.BRIJESH MOHAN SRI.T.R.SADEESAN SRI.A.HAROON RASHEED RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE RETURNING OFFICER,PALLIPPURAM VILLAGE SERVICE CO.OP.BANK LTD.,NO.335,PALLIPURAM .PO,CHERTHALA,UNIT INSPECTOR OF CO-OP.SOCIETIES, PALLIPPURAM UNIT,OFFICE OF THE ASST.REGISTRAR OF CO-OP.SOCIETIES(GENERAL),CHERTHALA. 2. THE ELECTORAL OFFICER PALLIPURAM VILLAGE SERVICE CO.OP.BANK LTD,NO.335,PALLIPURAM P.O,CHERTHALA./ASST.REGISTRAR OF CO-OP.SOCIETIES (GENERAL),CHERTHALA CIRCLE,CHERTHALA,CHERTHALA. 3. PALLIPURAM VILLAGE SERVICE,CO.OP.BANK LTD.,NO.335,PALLIPPURAM.P.O,CHERTHALA.REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. GOVT. PLEADER SRI. K.C. SANTHOSHKUMAR THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 26/08/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC,J. --------------------- W.P.(C).No.24662 OF 2009 ------------------------ Dated this the 26th day of August, 2009. JUDGMENT The first prayer in this writ petition is as under. “Issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the respondents 1 and 2 to arrange for video graphing of the events at the polling stations and verify the identity of the voters with reference to the photographs on the identity card and those in the Form 6B register, in the election scheduled on 6.9.2009 pursuant to Ext.P1. “ 2. Petitioner is presently the President of the 3rd respondent Bank. It is stated that election to the Board of Directors of the 3rd respondent is scheduled to be held on 6.9.2009 as per Ext.P1 notice published by the Election Commission. Petitioner apprehends disturbances in the election and attempt for bogus voting. Therefore, he made a request to the Returning Officer to arrange for video graphing of the events at the polling station and also to verify the identity of the voters with reference to the WP(c).No.24662/09 2 photographs in the ID card and Form 6B register. 3. Having regard to the nature of the apprehension expressed by the petitioner and also taking into account the fact that similar orders have been passed in writ petitions filed by the similarly situated persons, one of which is Ext.P3, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions. 4. The first respondent shall arrange video graphing of the events at the venue of voting, at the cost of the petitioner and under the directions of the first respondent. It is directed that original of the video graph/CD shall be retained by the first respondent and copy thereof shall be issued to the petitioner. It is further directed that, in case identity of any particular voter is disputed, the identity of the voter concerned shall be verified by the first respondent, by comparing his photograph in the ID card with the photograph in Form 6-B register. WP(c).No.24662/09 3 Petitioner to produce a copy of the judgment before the Ist respondent for compliance. (ANTONY DOMINIC) JUDGE vi/ WP(c).No.24662/09 4