the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of all elections to the
co-operative society was to be vested in a body. Article 243 ZK
(2)-required the constitution of the election authority. Under
Article 243 ZK(2), such mandate required the State Legislature to
amend the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960, to
introduce Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Election to
Committee Rules) 2014. By amendment Mah. 16 of 2013, Section
73G, Rule 56A to 56Z were deleted.
9.The Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Election to
Committee) Rules 2014 were notified to regulate the conduct of
elections to Co-operative Societies, exercising power under Sub-
section (J) and (2) of Section 165. The Rules constituted an
Election Authority to supervise and conduct the elections of Co-
operative Societies. State Co-operative Election Authority was
granted powers under Rule 3 to conduct these elections, including
the authority to appoint the District Co-operative Election Officer
and Returning Officer. The Returning Officer, appointed under Rule
12, operates under the supervision of the State Election Authority.
Rule 14 mandates the Returning Officer to perform duties in
accordance with the Rules and bye-laws. Furthermore, Rule 64
empowers the Returning Officer to declare the candidate with the
highest number of valid votes as elected and to certify such
election using form E-17. Upon receiving this declaration, the
District Co-operative Election Officer is obliged, as per Rule 64, to
announce the names of elected Committee members along with
the details provided.
