not needed to merely traverse facts pleaded in the written statement; (b) a replication is not a substitute for an amendment; and (c) a new cause of action or plea inconsistent with the plea taken in original petition/plaint is not to be permitted in the replication. Grant of leave justified 22. In the instant case, the material facts alleged in the election petition, inter alia, were that while filing nomination papers the returned candidate had failed to disclose: (a) details of some of his bank accounts (i.e. six in number); (b) ownership of a motor vehicle, which stood registered in his name; (c) details of his spouse’s profession or occupation; (d) the investment made by him on the land, by way of Civil Appeal No. ____ of 2024 Page 24 of 30development, construction etc.; and (e) the details of his liability owed to the Bank. 23. In his written statement, the returned candidate (appellant herein) before giving a para-wise reply to the averments made in the election petition, made