In Brief
A cooperative society's election was challenged for non-compliance with mandatory Rule 35A(3) of the Kerala Cooperative Society Rules. Only 1,390 of 12,000 eligible voters participated, largely because the election schedule was published only in two local vernacular newspapers with limited circulation (~3,000). The Supreme Court held that adequate publication is essential for legitimate elections. Setting aside the election, it directed the State Cooperative Election Commission to conduct a fresh election with publication in widely-circulated newspapers (Malayala Manorama and Mathrubhumi) and to complete the process within six months. The previous Managing Committee was to continue temporarily as an adhoc body pending the fresh election.">
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