MC Election Rules

Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (Preparation of Electoral Rolls) Rules, 1995
CONTENTS
Clauses of Rules Particulars Page No.
PART-I-
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement. .. 01

2. Definition and interpretation. .. 01
PART –II
PREPARATION, REVISION OR ADOPTION OF ELECTORAL ROLLS
2-A Electoral roll for every-ward. .. 01
2-B Electoral Registration Officer. .. 01
2-C Assistant Electoral registration officer. .. 02
2-D Registration of Electors. .. 02
2-E Preparation and revision of electoral rolls. .. 02
2-F Correction of entries in electoral roll. .. 02
2-G Inclusion of name in electoral roll. .. 03
2-H Appeal. .. 03
2-1 Jurisdiction of civil courts barred. .. 03
3. Form and language of Roll. .. 03
4. Preparation of electoral roll in parts. .. 03
5. Order of Names. .. 03
6. Information to be supplied by occupants of dwelling house. .. 03
7. Access to certain registers. .. 03
8. Publication of roll in draft. .. 04
9. Further publicity to the roll and notice. .. 04
10. Period for lodging claims and objections. .. 04
11. Form for claims and objections. .. 04
12. Manner of lodging claims and objections. .. 04
13. Procedure of designated officers. .. 04
14. Procedure of registration Officer. .. 05
15. Rejection of certain claims and objections. .. 05
16. Acceptance of claims and objections without inquiry. .. 05
17. Notice of hearing claims and objections. .. 05
(i)
18. Inquiry into claims and objections. .. 05

19. Inclusion of names inadvertently omitted. .. 05
20. Deletion of names of dead electors and of persons who cease to be or .. 06
are not ordinarily residents.
21. Final publication of roll. .. 06
22. Appeals from orders deciding claims and objections. .. 06
23. Special provision for preparation of rolls on redelimitation of wards. .. 07
24. Correction of entries and inclusion of names in electoral rolls. .. 07
25. Appeal from order under rule 24. .. 07
26. Revision of rolls. .. 07
27. Adoption of electoral rolls of parliamentary constituency. .. 08
28. Making false declarations. .. 08
PART-III
PRERSERVATION AND DISPOSAL OF ELECTORAL ROLLS
29. Custody and preservation of rolls and connected papers. .. 08

30. Inspection of electoral rolls and connected papers. .. 08
31. Disposal of electoral rolls and connected papers. .. 08
FORM 1 Letter of request. .. 09
FORM 2 Notice of publication of electoral roll in draft. .. 11
FORM 3 Claim application for inclusion of name. .. 12
FORM 4 Objections to inclusion of name. .. 13
FORM 5 Objections to particulars in an entry. .. 14
FORM 6 Application for transportation of entry in electoral roll. .. 15
FORM 7 Application for deletion of entry in electoral roll. .. 16
FORM 8 List of Claims. .. 17
FORM 9 List of Objections to Inclusion of names. .. 18
FORM 10 List of Objections to Particulars in entries. .. 19
FORM 11 Notice of hearing of a claim. 20-21
FORM 12 Name of the objector. 22-23
FORM 13 Notice of the objector. 24-25
FORM 14 Notice of hearing of an objection to particulars in an entry. 26-27
FORM 15 Notice of final publication of electoral roll. .. 28
(ii)
Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (Election of Councillors) Rules, 1995
CONTENTS
PART-I PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement. .. 01

2. Interpretation. .. 01
PART II - SUPERINTENDENCE OF ELECTIONS AND

ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY
3. Superintendence and control of election. .. 02

4. Returning Officers and Scrutinising Officers. .. 02
5. Assistant Returning Officers. .. 02
6. General duty of the Returning Officer. .. 03
7. Polling Station for Wards. .. 03
8. Presiding Officers for polling stations. .. 03
9. General duty of the Presiding Officer. .. 03
10. Duties of a Polling Officer. .. 03
10-A On deputation. .. 03
PART III - CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
CHAPTER –I
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES
11. Appointment of dates for nominations etc. .. 04
12. Public notice of election. .. 04
13. Symbols. .. 04
14. Nomination of candidates for elections. .. 05
15. Presentation of nomination paper and requirements for a valid .. 05
nomination.
16. Deposits. .. 06
17. Notice of nominations and the time and place for their scrutiny. .. 07
18. Scrutiny of nomination. .. 07
19. Withdrawal of candidature. .. 08
20. Preparation of list of contesting candidates. .. 08
21. Publication of list of contesting candidates. .. 09
(i)
CHAPTER-II
AGENTS
22. Appointment of Election Agent. .. 09

22-A Appointment of polling agent. .. 09
23. Revocation of the appointment, or death of a polling agent. .. 10
24. Candidates and agents to wear badges : functions of agents. .. 10
25. Attendance of a candidates on polling stations and performance by .. 10
him of the functions of a polling agent or counting agent.
26. Non-attendance of polling or counting agents. .. 10
CHAPTER III
GENERAL PROCEDURE AT ELECTIONS
27. Death of Candidate before poll. .. 10
28. Procedure in a contested and uncontested elections. .. 10
CHAPTER IV
THE POLL
29. Fixing time for poll. .. 11
30. Adjournment of polling emergencies. .. 11
31. Fresh poll in the case of destruction etc. of ballot boxes. .. 11
31-A Adjournment of poll or countermanding of election on the ground of .. 12
booth capturing.
32. Method of Voting. .. 13
CHAPTER V
VOTING IN WARDS
33. Definitions. .. 13
34. Design of ballot boxes. .. 13
35. Form of ballot paper. .. 13
36. Arrangements of polling stations. .. 13
37. Admission to polling station. .. 13
38. Preparation of ballot boxes for poll. .. 14
39. Facilities for women electors. .. 14
40. Identification of electors. .. 15
41. Challenging of identity. .. 15
42. Safeguard against personation. .. 15
43. Issue of ballot papers to electors. .. 16
44. Voting Procedure. .. 16
(ii)
45. Recording of votes of blind or infirm electors. .. 16

46. Spoil and returned ballot papers. .. 17
47. Tendered Votes. .. 17
47-A Voting Machines at elections. .. 17
48. Closing of poll. .. 17
49. Sealing of ballot boxes after poll. .. 18
50. Account of ballot papers. .. 18
51. Sealing of other packets. .. 18
52. Transmission of ballot boxes, etc., to the Returning Officer. .. 18
53. Procedure on adjournment of poll. .. 18
CHAPTER-VI
POSTAL BALLOT
54. Postal ballot for electors employed on duty at polling station. .. 19
55. Form of postal ballot paper. .. 19
56. Issue of postal ballot papers. .. 20
57. Recording of votes on postal ballot papers. .. 20
58. Assistance to illiterate electors. .. 20
59. Re-issue of postal ballot papers. .. 20
60. Return of postal ballot papers. .. 21
CHAPTET VII
COUNTING OF VOTES
61. Definitions.
62. Time and place for counting of votes. .. 21
63. Appointment of Counting Agents and revocation of such appointment. .. 21
64. Admission to the place fixed for countings. .. 22
65. Maintenance of secrecy of voting. .. 22
66. Scrutiny and opening of ballot boxes. .. 22
67. Scrutiny and rejecting of ballot papers. .. 23
68. Counting of votes. .. 23
69. Counting to be continuous. .. 24
70. Recommencement of counting after fresh polls. .. 24
71. Scrutiny and counting of postal ballot papers. .. 24
71-A Destruction loss etc. of ballot paper at the time of counting. .. 25
72. Recount of votes. .. 25
73. Equality of votes. .. 26
(iii)
74. Declaration of result of election. .. 26
75. Grant of certificate of election to returned candidates. .. 26
76. Election to more than one seat. .. 26
77. Custody of ballot boxes and papers relating to election. .. 27
77-A Production and Inspection of election papers. .. 27
78. Disposal of election papers. .. 27
PART-IV - DISPUTE REGARDING ELECTIONS

CHAPTER – I
INTERPRETATIONS
79. Definition. .. 27
CHAPTER II
ELECTION PETITIONS
80. Additional contents of petition. .. 28
81. Petition to be dismissed. .. 28
82. Procedure before the prescribed authority. .. 28
83. Appearance before the prescribed authority. .. 28
84. Powers of the prescribed authority. .. 28
85. Documentary evidence. .. 29
86. Secrecy of voting not to be infringed. .. 29
87. Other orders to be made by the prescribed authority. .. 29
88. Communication of order to the Election Commission and transmission .. 29
of the case.
89. Deposit of security. .. 29
90. Costs. .. 29
91. Payment of costs out of security deposit and return of such deposits. .. 30
PART V - CORRUPT PRACTICES
92. Corrupt Practices. .. 30
PART VI – MISCELLANEOUS
93. Extension of time for completion of election. .. 31
94. Staff of Government and every local and statutory authority to be .. 31
made available for election work.
95. Requisitioning of premises, vehicle etc. for election purposes. .. 31
96. Maximum election expenses. .. 32
97. Submission of return of election expenses. .. 32
(iv)
FORM 1 Public Notice of Election. .. 33
FORM 2 Nomination Paper. 34-35
FORM 3 Notice of Nomination. .. 36
FORM 4 List of validly Nominated Candidates. .. 37
FORM 5 Notice of Withdrawal. .. 38
Form 6 Notice of withdrawal of Candidature. .. 39
FORM 7 List of Contesting Candidates. .. 40
FORM 8 Appointment of Election Agent. .. 41
FORM 8-A Revocation of Appointment of Election Agent. .. 42
FORM 8-B Appointment of Polling Agent. .. 43
FORM 9 Revocation of Appointment of Polling Agent. .. 44
FORM 10 List of Challenged Votes. .. 45
FORM 10-A List of Blind and Infirm Voters. .. 46
FORM 11 List of Tendered Votes. .. 47
FORM 12 PART I – Ballot Paper Account. .. 48
FORM 13 Application for Postal Ballot. .. 49
FORM 13-A Election Duty Certificate. .. 50
FORM 14-A Declaration by Elector. 51-52
FORM 14-B Cover. .. 53
FORM 14-C Large Cover. .. 53
FORM 14-D Instructions for the Guidance of Electors. .. 54
FORM 15 Appointment of Counting Agents. 55-56
FORM 16 Revocation of appointment of Counting Agent. .. 57
FORM 17 Result Sheet. .. 58
FORM 18 Return of Election. .. 59
FORM 19 Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh - Certificate of .. 60
Election.
(v)
1
CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Notification
The 16 May, 1995
NO. 2/3/F1(2)-LG-95/5540 :- With reference to the Chandigarh Administration, Department
of Local Government, notification bearing No. UTFI (4)-94/16621, dated the 24th November, 1994 and in
exercise of the powers conferred under Section 34 read with Section 25 of the Punjab Municipal
Corporation Act, 1976 as extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal
Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994, the Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh,
is pleased to make the following rules, namely:-
RULES
Part-I
Preliminary
1. Short title and commencement : – (1) These rules may be called the Municipal
Corporation of Chandigarh (Election of Councillors) Rules, *1995.
(2) They shall come into force at once.
2. Interpretation :- (1) In these rules, unless the context *otherwise requires :-
(a) ‘Act’ means the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, as extended to the
Union Territory of Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law
(Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994.
(b) ’ballot box’ includes any box, or other receptacle used for the insertion of ballot
papers by electors ;
(c) ‘election’ means an election of a councillor ;
(d) ‘elector’ means any person entitled to vote at an election of councillor ;
(e) ’Electoral roll number’ of a person means:-

(i) the serial number of the entry in the electoral roll in respect of that
person ;
(ii) the serial number of the part of the electoral roll, in which such entry
occurs; and
(iii) the number and name of the ward of Municipal Corporation of
Chandigarh, to which the electoral roll relates.
(f) ‘form’ means a form appended to these rules and includes a translation thereof, in
Hindi or Punjabi ;
(g) ‘section’ means a section of the Act ;
(h) Any expression which is not defined in these rules shall have the same meaning
as in the Act also in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (Preparation of
Electoral Rolls) Rules, 1995.
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* Corrected vide corrigendum bearing No.2/3/FI(2)JLG-96/8350 dated 21st June, 1996
2
(2) for the purposes of these rules :-

(i) a person who is unable to write his name shall unless otherwise expressly
provided in these rules, be deemed to have signed an instrument or other paper
if:-
(a) he has placed a mark on such instrument or other paper in the presence of
the returning officer or the presiding officer or such other officer as may
be specified in this behalf by the Election Commission ;
(b) such officer on being satisfied as to his identity has attested the marks as
being the mark of that person; and
(ii) any amendment, transposition or deletion of any entry made under Section 22 of
the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and any direction for the inclusion of
a name under Section 23 of the Representation of People Act, 1950 in the
electoral roll of a constituency, after the last date of making nominations and
before the completion of an election shall be ignored.
PART II
SUPERINTENDENCE OF ELECTIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY
3. Superintendence and control of election :- The Election Commission shall supervise,

direct and control the conduct of *Elections to the Corporation.
4. Returning Officers and Scrutinising Officers :- For every ward the Election
Commission shall :-
(a) designate or nominate a returning officer who shall be an officer of Government ;
(b) appoint a scrutinising officer for the purpose of scrutinising nominations under
rule 18 :
Provided that nothing in this *rule shall prevent the Election Commission from designating or
nominating or appointing the same person to be the returning officer or the scrutinising officer, as the case
may be, for more than one ward.
5. Assistant Returning Officers :- (1) The Election Commission may appoint one or more
persons to assist any Returning Officer in the performance of his functions:
Provided that every such person shall be an officer of Government;
(2) Every assistant returning officer shall subject to the control of the Returning Officer, be
competent to perform all or any of the functions of the Returning officer:
Provided that no assistant returning officer shall perform any of the functions of the Returning
Officer, which relate to the scrutiny of a nomination, unless the Returning Officer is unavoidably
prevented from performing the said functions;
(3) Reference in these Rules to the Returning Officer shall unless the contest otherwise
requires, be deemed to include an Assistant Returning Officer performing any function, which he is
authorized to perform under sub-rule (2) above.
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* Corrected vide Corrigendum bearing No.2/3/FI(2)JLG-96/8350 dated 21st June, 1996
3
6. General duty of the returning officer :- It shall be the general duty of the returning
officer at any election to do all such acts and things as may be necessary for effectually conducting the
election in the manner provided by these rules and orders made thereunder.
7. Polling station for wards :- The Election Commission shall provide a sufficient number
of polling stations for each ward and shall publish, in such manner as he thinks fit, a list showing the
polling stations so provided and the polling areas or groups of voters for which they have respectively
been provided.
8. Presiding officers for polling stations :- (1) The Election Commission shall appoint a
Presiding Officer for each polling station and such polling officer or officers, as he thinks necessary, but
he shall not appoint any person who has been employed by or on behalf of, or has been otherwise working
for, a candidate in or about the election:
Provided that if a polling officer is absent from the polling station, the presiding officer
may appoint any person who is present at the polling station other than a person who has been employed
by or on behalf of, or has been otherwise working for a candidate in or about the election, to be the
polling office during the absence of the former officer, and inform the Election Commission accordingly:
Provided further that nothing in this sub-rule shall prevent the Election Commission from
appointing the same person to be the presiding officer for more than one polling station in the same
premises.
(2) A polling officer shall, if so directed by the presiding officer, perform all or any of the
functions of a presiding officer under these rules or order made *thereunder.
(3) If the presiding officer is owing to illness or other * unavoidable cause, obliged to absent
himself * from the polling station, his * function shall be performed by such polling officer as has been
previously authorized by the Election Commission to perform such functions during any such absence.
(4) Reference in these rules to the presiding officer shall, unless the context otherwise
requires, be deemed to include any person performing any function which he is authorized to perform
under sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (3), as the case may be.
(5) The Election Commission shall pay to the presiding officers, polling officers and other
polling staff such traveling allowance as may be admissible under the rules applicable to the respective
services to which they belong.
9. General duty of the Presiding Officer :- It shall be the general duty of the presiding
officer at a polling station to keep order thereat and to see that the poll is fairly taken.
10. Duties of a Polling Officer :- It shall be the duty of the polling officer at a polling station
to assist the presiding officer for such station in the performance of his functions.
10-A On deputation :- Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer, Presiding Officer,

Polling Officer and any other officer, appointed under these rules, and any Police Officer designated as
such for the time being by the Government, for the conduct of any election, shall be deemed to be on
deputation to the Election Commission for the period commencing on and from the date of the
notification calling for such election and ending with the date of declaration of the results of such election
and accordingly such officer shall, during that period be subject to the control, superintendence and
discipline of the Election Commission.
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4
PART III
CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
CHAPTER I - NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES.
11. Appointment of dates for nominations etc :- As soon as the notification or notifications
calling upon a ward or wards to elect a Councillor or Councillors is issued under the provisions of sub-
section (3) of section 15, or sub-section (1) of section 16 of the Act, the Election Commission shall by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint :-
(a) the last date for making nominations, which shall be **7th day after the date of
publication of the first mentioned notification, or if that day *is a public holiday,
the next succeeding day which is not a public holiday.
(b) the date for the scrutiny of nominations which shall be the **next day after the
last date for making nominations or, if that day is a public holiday, the next
succeeding day which is not a public holiday;
(c) the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures, which shall be the third day after
the date for the scrutiny of nominations or, if that day is a public holiday, the
next succeeding day which is not a public holiday
(d) the date or dates on which a poll shall, if necessary, be taken, which or the first of
which shall be a date not earlier than the **fourteenth day after the last date for
the withdrawal of candidatures; and
(e) the date before which the election shall be completed
Explanation :- In this rule, ‘public holiday’ means any day which is a public holiday for the
purpose of section 25 of the Negotiable *Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881), or any day which has been
notified by the Administrator to be holiday for the government offices in the Union Territory of
Chandigarh.
12. Public notice of election :- On the issue of a notification under rule 11, the returning
officer for the ward shall give public notice of the intended election in Form 1 which shall, subject to any
*directions of the Election Commission, be published in such Local Daily Newspapers as the returning
officer thinks fit.
13. Symbols :- (1) For the purpose of the election to the Municipal Corporation of
Chandigarh, the National Parties and State Parties as are recognised for the time being by the Election
Commission of India in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, under section 29 A of the Representation of
the People Act, 1951 and the rules and procedure made thereunder, shall be recognised as such by the
Election Commission. The Election Commission shall also adopt free symbols as have been notified by
the Election Commission of India for the time being in respect of elections to Lok Sabha in the Union
Territory of Chandigarh. The Election Commission shall recognize the parties and adopt symbols subject
to the following conditions, namely:-
(a) The National Parties and the State Parties recognized by the Election
Commission of India shall be recognized under the very same name by the
Election Commission.
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** Amended vide Notification bearing No.2/3/FI(2)-96/13279 dated 8th November, 1996
5
(b) The National Parties and the State Parties *recognised by the Election
Commission of India shall use only those very symbols which are reserved for
them by the Election Commission of India and not any other symbol.
(c) The facsimiles of the symbols thus allowed shall not be different from the
facsimiles prescribed and recognized by the Election Commission of India.
(1-A) The Election Commission shall specify by notification in the Official Gazette, the
symbols that may be chosen by candidates and the restrictions to which their choice shall be subject.
(2) Where at any such election, more nomination papers than one are delivered by or on
behalf of a candidate, the declaration as to symbols, made in the nomination paper first delivered, and no
other declaration as to symbols, shall be taken into consideration under rule 20 even if that nomination
paper has been rejected.
(3) A failure to complete, or a defect in completing the declaration as to symbols in a

nomination paper shall not be deemed to be a defect of a substantial character within the meaning of
*sub-rule (4) of rule 18.
14. Nomination of candidates for elections :- Any person may be nominated as a candidate
for election to fill a seat if he is qualified to be chosen to fill that seat under the provisions of the Act.
15. Presentation of nomination paper and requirements for a valid nomination :-(1) On
or before the date appointed under clause (a) of rule 11 each candidate shall either in person or by his
proposer, between the hours of eleven o’clock in the forenoon and three o’clock in the afternoon, deliver
to the returning officer at the place specified in this behalf in the notice issued under rule 12 a nomination
paper completed in Form 2 and signed by the candidate and by an elector of the ward as proposer.
**Provided that a candidate not set up by a recognized political party, shall not be
deemed to be duly nominated for election from a ward unless the nomination paper is subscribed by ten
proposers being electors of the ward.
(2) In a ward where any seat is reserved, a candidate shall not to be deemed to be qualified to
be chosen to fill that seat unless his nomination paper contains a declaration made by him specifying the
particular Scheduled Caste or Backward Class of which he is a member.
(2-A) In a ward where any seat is reserved for women, a candidate shall not be deemed to be
chosen to *fill that seat unless her nomination paper contains a declaration made by her that she is a
woman.
(3) Where the candidate, is a person who having held any office referred to in clause (k)of
sub-section (1)of section 13 of the Act, has been dismissed and a period of four years has not elapsed
since the dismissal, such person shall not be deemed to be duly nominated as a candidate unless his
nomination paper is accompanied by a certificate issued by the Government that the disqualification has
been removed or by a certificate issued by the Election Commission to the effect that he has not been
dismissed for corruption or disloyalty to the State.
(4) On the presentation of a nomination paper, the returning officer shall satisfy himself that
the names and electoral roll numbers of the *candidate and his proposer as entered in the nomination
paper are the same as those entered in the electoral roll.
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**Amended vide Notification bearing No.2968-FII(8)-2001/7303 dated 5th September, 2001
6
Provided that the returning officer shall permit any clerical or technical error in the nomination
paper in regard to the said names or numbers to be corrected in order to bring them conformity with the
corresponding entries in the electoral roll and where necessary, direct that any clerical or printing error in
the said entries shall be overlooked.
(5) Where the candidate is an elector of a different ward, a copy of the electoral roll of that
ward or of the relevant part thereof or a certified copy of the relevant entries in such roll shall, unless it
has been filed along with the nomination paper, be produced before the scrutinizing officer at the time of
scrutiny.
(6) Nothing in this rule shall prevent any candidate from being nominated by more than one
nomination paper :
Provided that not more than four nomination papers, shall be presented by or on behalf of any
candidate or accepted by the returning officer for election in the same ward.
15.A For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that a member of the Scheduled Caste/
*Backward classes or a woman shall not be disqualified to hold a seat of not reserved for members of
those castes or woman, if he/she is otherwise qualified to hold such seat under the Constitution of India
and the Act.
16. Deposits :- (1) A Candidate shall not be deemed to be duly nominated unless he deposits
or causes to be deposited a sum of ***Six thousand rupees, or where the candidate is a member of a
Scheduled Caste, a sum of ***Three thousand rupees;
Provided that where a candidate has been nominated by more than one nomination paper for
election in the same ward, not more than one deposit shall be required of him under this sub-rule.
(2) Any sum required to be deposited under sub-rule (1) shall not be deemed to have been
deposited under that sub-rule *unless at the time of delivery of the nomination paper under sub-rule (1) of
rule 15 the candidate has either deposited or caused to be deposited that sum in cash with the returning
officer or enclosed with the nomination paper a receipt showing that the said sum has been deposited by
him or on his behalf in a Government Treasury in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
(3) If a candidate by whom or on whose behalf the deposit has been made withdraws his
candidature under rule 19 or if the nomination of any such candidate is rejected, the deposit shall be
returned to the candidate or if he dies before the commencement of the poll, to his legal representative.
(4) If a contesting candidate is not elected and the number of valid votes polled by him does
not exceed one-sixth of the total number of valid votes polled, the deposit shall be forfeited to the
Government.
(5) The deposit shall where it is not forfeited under sub-rule (4) be returned to the candidate
or if he is dead, to his legal representative, after the publication of the result of the election in the Official
Gazette.
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**Amended vide Notification bearing No.2968-FII(8)-2001/7303 dated 5th September, 2001
***Amended vide Notification bearing No.1846-FII-(8)-2015/11995 dated 16th November, 2015
7
17. Notice of nominations and the time and place for their scrutiny :- (1) The returning
officer shall, on receiving the nomination paper under sub-rule (1) of rule 15, inform the person or
persons delivering the same of the date, time and place fixed, and the scrutinising officer appointed, for
the scrutiny of nominations and shall enter on the nomination paper its serial number, and shall sign
thereon a certificate stating the date on which and the hour at which the nomination paper has been
delivered to him and shall, as soon as may be, thereafter cause to be affixed in some conspicuous place in
his office a notice in Form 3 of the nomination containing description similar to those contained in the
nomination paper, both of the candidate and of the proposer.
(2) The returning officer shall cause all the nomination papers to be delivered to the
concerned scrutinising officer in sufficient time for being dealt with under rule 18.
18. Scrutiny of nomination :- (1) On the date fixed for the scrutiny of nominations under
rule 11, the candidate and two other persons duly authorized in writing by him, but no other person, may
attend at such time and place as has been specified in the notice issued under rule 12 and before such
scrutinising officer as the Election Commission has appointed under rule 5 and the scrutinising officer
shall give them all reasonable facilities for examining the nomination papers of all candidates which have
been delivered within the time and the manner laid down in rule 15.
(2) The scrutinising officer shall then examine the nomination papers and shall decide all
objections which may be made to any nomination, and may either on such objection or on his own
motion, after such summary inquiry, if any, as he thinks necessary, reject any nomination papers on any
of the following grounds :-
(a) that on the date fixed for the scrutiny of nominations the candidate either is not
qualified or is disqualified for being chosen as a councillor under the Act ; or
(b) that there has been a failure to comply with any of the provision of rule 15 or rule
16 ; or
(c) that the signature of the candidate or the proposer on the nomination paper is not
genuine.
3) Nothing contained in clause (b)or clause (c)of sub-rule (2)shall be deemed to authorize
the rejection of the nomination of any candidate on the ground of any irregularity in respect of a
nomination paper, if the candidate has been duly nominated by means of another nomination paper in
respect of which no irregularity has been committed.
(4) The scrutinising officer shall not reject any nomination paper on the ground of any defect
which is not a substantial character.
(5) The scrutinising officer shall hold the scrutiny on the date appointed in this behalf under
clause (b) of rule 11 and shall not allow any adjournment of the proceedings except when such
proceedings are interrupted or obstructed by riot, open violence or by causes beyond his control:
Provided that in case an objection is raised by the scrutinising officer or is made by any other
person, the candidate concerned may be allowed time to rebut it not later than the next day but one
following the date fixed for scrutiny and the scrutinising officer shall record his decision on the date to
which the proceedings have been adjourned.
(6) The scrutinising officer shall endorse on each nomination *paper his decision accepting
or rejecting the same and, if the nomination paper is rejected, shall record in writing a brief statement of
his reasons for such rejection.
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8
(7) For the purposes of this rule, a certified copy of any entry in the electoral roll for the time
being in force of a ward shall be conclusive evidence of the fact that the person referred to in that entry is
an elector for that ward unless it is proved that he is subject to a disqualification mentioned in section 16
of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1950).
(8) Immediately after all the *nomination papers have been scrutinised and decisions
accepting or rejecting the same have been recorded, the scrutinising officer shall prepare in Form 4 a list
of validly nominated candidates, that is to say, candidates whose nominations have been found valid and
forward the same along with all the nomination papers to the returning officer who shall countersign the
list and affix it to his notice board.
19. Withdrawal of candidature :-(1) Any candidate may withdraw his candidature by a
notice in writing in Form 5 which shall be subscribed by him and delivered before three o’clock in the
afternoon on the day fixed under clause (c) of rule 11 to the returning officer
by such candidate in person or by his proposer.
(2) On receipt of such notice, the returning officer shall note thereon the date and time at
which it was delivered.
(3) No person who has given a notice of withdrawal of his candidature under sub-rule (1)
shall be allowed to cancel the notice.
(4) The returning officer shall on being satisfied as to the genuineness of a notice of
withdrawal and the identity of the person delivering it under sub-rule (1), cause the notice to be affixed in
Form 6 in some conspicuous place in his office.
20. Preparation of list of contesting candidates :-(1) Immediately after the expiry of the
period within which candidature may be withdrawn under sub-rule (1) of Rule 19, the returning officer
shall prepare in Form 7 a list of the contesting candidates, that is to say, candidates who were included in
the list of validly nominated candidates, and who have not withdrawn their candidature within the said
period.
(2) The said list shall contain the names in alphabetical order and the addresses of the
contesting candidates as given in the nomination papers. The alphabetical order, shall be determined with
reference to the surnames of the candidates having surnames and the names proper of other candidates.
(3) where a poll becomes necessary, the returning officer shall consider the choice of
symbols expressed by the contesting candidates in their nomination papers and shall, subject to any
general or special direction issued in this behalf, by the Election Commission :-
(a) allot a different symbol to each contesting candidate in conformity, as far as

practicable with his choice ; and
(b) if more contesting candidates than one have, indicated their preference for the
same symbol, decide by lot to which of such candidates the symbol will be
allotted.
(4) The allotment by the returning officer of any symbol to a candidate shall be final except
where it is inconsistent with any directions issued by the Election Commission in this behalf, in which
case the Election Commission may revise the allotment in such manner as he thinks fit.
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(5) Every candidate or his polling agent shall forthwith be informed of the symbol allotted to
the candidate and be supplied with a specimen thereof by the returning officer.
21. Publication of list of contesting candidates :- (1) The returning officer, shall,
immediately after its preparation, cause a copy of the list of contesting candidates to be affixed in some
conspicuous place in his office and shall also supply a copy thereof to each of the contesting candidates or
his election agent.
(2) If a poll becomes necessary under rule 28, the returning officer shall publish the list of
contesting candidates in the Official Gazette.
CHAPTER II - AGENTS
22. Appointment of Election Agent :-

(1) A candidate at an election may appoint any one person other than himself to be
his election agent; and such appointment shall be made on Form 8 ;
(2) When any such appointment is made, notice of such appointment shall be given
by forwarding in duplicate Form 8 duly filled to the returning officer, who shall
return one copy thereof to the election agent after affixing thereon his seal and
signature in token of his approval of the appointment ;
(3) Any person, who is for the time being, disqualified for being chosen as and for
being a councillor or an elder man under section 13 of the Act, shall so long as
the disqualification subsists, also be disqualified for being *an election agent at
any election ;
(4) Any revocation of the appointment of an *election agent shall be made in Form
8-A, and shall be signed by the candidates, and shall operate from the date on
which such form is lodged with the returning officer;
(5) In the event of such a revocation or of the death of the election agent whether that
event occurs before, or during the election, the candidate may appoint in the
prescribed manner another person to be his election agent and when such
appointment is made, notice of the appointment shall be given in the manner
prescribed in sub-rule (2) above to the returning officer.
22-A Appointment of polling agent :– (1) A contesting candidate may appoint one agent
and two relief agents to act as polling agents of such candidate at each polling station and every such
appointment shall be made in Form 8B and shall be made over to the poling agent for production at the
polling station.
(2) No polling agent shall be admitted into the polling station unless he has delivered to the
presiding officer the instrument of his appointment under sub-rule (1) after duly completing and signing
before the presiding officer the declaration contained therein.
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23. Revocation of the appointment, or death of a polling agent :- Any revocation of the
appointment of a polling agent shall be signed by the candidate in Form 9 and shall operate from the date
and time on which it is lodged with the presiding officer and in the event of such a revocation or of the
death of a polling agent before the close of the poll, the candidate may appoint another polling agent at
any time before the poll is closed and shall forthwith give a notice of such appointment to the presiding
officer in the manner specified in rule 22-A.
24. Candidates and agents to wear badges : functions of agents : - (1) The candidates and
polling agents to be admitted inside the polling stations will be supplied by the Election Commission on
payment of such amount as he may fix distinguishing badges which shall be *exhibited on shirt, blouse
etc. for the purpose of identification. No candidate or polling agent shall be *allowed to enter the polling
stations unless he wears the official badge.
(2) A polling agent may perform such functions in connection with the poll as are authorized
by these rules to be performed by a polling agent.
25. Attendance of a candidates on polling stations and performance by him of the

functions of a polling agent or counting agent :- (1) At every election where a poll is taken, each
contesting candidate at such election shall subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1) of rule 24 have a right
to be present at any polling station provided under rule 7 for the taking of the poll.
(2) A contesting candidate may himself do any act or thing which any polling agent or
counting agent of such candidate, if appointed, would have been authorized by these rules to do or may
assist any polling agent or the counting agent of such candidate in doing any such act or thing.
26. Non-attendance of polling or counting agents :- Where any act or thing is required or
authorized by these *rules to be done in the *presence of the polling or counting agents the non-
attendance of any such agent or agents at the time and place appointed for the purpose shall, not if the act
or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.
CHAPTER III - GENERAL PROCEDURE AT ELECTIONS
27. Death of Candidate before poll :- If a contesting candidate dies and a report of his death
is received before the commencement of the poll, the returning officer shall, upon being satisfied of the
fact of the death of the candidate, countermand the poll and report the fact to the Election Commission
and *all proceedings with reference to the election shall be commenced a new in all respect as if for a
new election :
Provided that no further nomination shall be necessary in the case of a person who was a
contesting candidate at the time of the countermanding of the poll.
Provided further that no person who *has given a notice of withdrawal of his candidature under rule 19
before the countermanding of the poll shall be ineligible for being nominated as a candidate for the
election after such countermanding.
28. Procedure in a contested and uncountested elections :- (1) If the number of contesting
candidates is more than one, a poll shall be taken.
(2) If there is only one contesting candidate, the returning officer shall forthwith declare him
to be duly elected to fill the seat.
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(3) Where a ward has failed to elect a person to fill the seat allotted to it, the
Administrator shall by notification in the Official Gazette under sub-section (3) of section 15, again call
upon that ward to elect a person, if he is satisfied that on being called upon again there will be no such
failure on the part of the ward.
CHAPTER IV -- THE POLL
29. Fixing time for poll : – The Election Commission shall fix the hours during which the
poll will be taken and the hours so fixed shall be published by notification in the Official Gazette and in
such local daily newspapers, and wide publicity to this be given *in the manner the Election Commission
thinks fit:
Provided that the total period allotted on any one day for polling at an election in a ward
shall not be less than eight hours.
30. Adjournment of polling emergencies : – (1) If at an election the proceedings at any

*polling station are interrupted or obstructed by riot or open violence, or if at an election it is not possible
to take the poll at any polling station on account of any natural calamity or any other sufficient causes, the
presiding officer for such polling station shall announce an adjournment of the poll to a date to be notified
later, and forthwith inform the returning officer concerned and the Election Commission.
(2) Whenever a poll is adjourned under sub-rule (1), the returning officer shall immediately
report the circumstances to the Election Commission and shall, as soon as may be, with the previous
approval of the Election Commission appoint the day on which the poll shall recommence, and fix the
polling station at which and the hours during which the poll will be taken and shall not count the votes
cast at such election until, such adjourned poll shall have been completed.
(3) In every such case as aforesaid the returning officer shall notify in the Official Gazette
the date, place and hours of polling fixed under sub-rule (2).
31. Fresh poll in the case of destruction etc. of ballot boxes :- (1) If at any election:-
(a) any ballot box used at a polling station is unlawfully taken out of the custody of
the presiding officer or is accidentally or intentionally destroyed or lost, or is
*damaged or tempered with to such an extent that the result of the poll at that
polling station can not be ascertained, or
(b) any such error or irregularly in procedure as is likely to vitiate the poll is
committed at a polling station.
the returning officer shall forthwith report the matter to the Election Commission.
(2) There upon the Election Commission shall, after taking all material circumstances into
account either :-
(a) declare the poll at that polling station to be void, appoint a day and fix the hours
for taking a fresh poll at that polling station and notify the day so appointed and
the hours so fixed in such manner as he may deem fit, or
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(b) If satisfied that the result of a fresh poll at that polling station or place will not, in
any way, affect the result of the election or that the error or irregularity in
procedure is not material issue such directions to the returning officer as he may
deem proper for the further conduct and completion of the election.
(3) The provision of these rules shall apply to every such fresh poll as they apply to the
original poll.
31-A Adjournment of poll or countermanding of election on the ground of booth

capturing : – (i) If at any election :-
(a) booth capturing has taken place at a polling station or at a place fixed for the poll
(hereinafter in this rule referred to as a place) in such a manner that the result of
the poll at that place can not be ascertained; or
(b) booth capturing has taken place in any place for counting of votes in such a
manner that the result of the counting at that place can not be ascertained :
The Returning Officer shall forthwith report the matter to the Election Commission
(2) The Election Commission shall, on the receipt of a report from the Returning Officer
under sub-rule (1) and after taking a material circumstances into account, either : –
(a) declare that the poll at that place shall be void and appoint a day, and fix the
hours for taking fresh poll at that place and notify the date so appointed and
hours so fixed in such manner as it may deem fit ; or
(b) If satisfied that in view of the large number of places involved in booth
capturing, the result of the election is likely to be affected, or that booth capturing
had affected counting of votes in such a manner as to affect the result of the
election ; countermand the election in that ward.
Explanation :- For the purpose of this rule “booth capturing” includes, among other things, all or
any of the following activities, namely :-
(a) seizure of a polling station or a place fixed for the poll by any person or persons
or making polling authorities surrender the ballot papers or voting machines and
doing of any other act which affects the orderly conduct of elections :
(b) taking possession of a polling station or a place fixed for the poll by any person
or persons and allowing only his or their own supporters to exercise their right to
vote and prevent others from voting ;
(c) threatening any elector and preventing him from going to the polling station or a
place fixed for the poll to cast his vote;
(d) seizure of a place for counting of votes by any person or persons, making the
concerned authorities to surrender the ballot papers or voting machines and the
doing of anything which affects the orderly counting of votes ;
(e) doing by any person in the service of Government, of all or any of the aforesaid
activities, or aiding or conniving at, any such activity in furtherance of prospect
of the election of candidate.
32. Method of Voting :– (1) At every election, where a poll is taken, votes shall be given by
ballot and no votes shall be received by proxy.
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(2) Save as hereinafter provided, all electors voting at an election shall do so in person at the
polling station provided for them under rule 7.
(3) No elector shall vote in more than one ward and if an elector votes in more than one
ward, the votes in all such wards shall be void.
(4) No elector shall vote in the same ward more than once notwithstanding that his name
may have been registered in the electoral roll for that ward more than once and if he does so vote, all his
votes in that ward shall be void.
CHAPTER V – VOTING IN WARDS
33. Definitions :– In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires :
(a) “candidate” means a contesting candidate :
(b) “Polling agent” in relation to a polling station means a polling agent of a

candidate duly appointed under rule 22-A for the polling station and includes a
candidate when present at the polling station.
34. Design of ballot boxes :– Every ballot box shall be of such design as may be approved
by the Election Commission.
35. Form of ballot paper :– (1) Every ballot paper shall be in such form and the particulars
therein shall be printed in such language or languages as the Election Commission may direct.
(2) The names of the candidates shall be arranged on the ballot paper in the same order in
which they appear in the list of contesting candidates.
(3) If two or more candidates bear the same name, they shall be distinguished by the
addition of their occupation, residence or in some other manner.
36. Arrangements of polling stations :– (1) Outside each polling station there shall be
displayed prominently :-
(a) a notice specifying the polling area the electors of which are entitled to vote at
the polling station and when the polling area has more than one polling station,
the particulars of the elector so entitled; and
(b) a copy of the list of contesting candidates.
(2) At each polling station, there shall be set up two or more compartments in which
electors can record their votes screened from observation.
(3) The Election Commission shall provide at each polling station sufficient number
of ballot boxes, copies of the relevant part of the electoral roll, the ballot papers, instruments for stamping
the distinguishing mark on ballot papers and articles necessary for electors to mark the ballot papers.
37. Admission to polling station :– The presiding officer shall regulate the number of
electors to be *admitted at any one time inside the polling station and shall exclude therefrom all persons
other than :-
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(a) Polling Officers;
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(b) candidates and subject to the provisions of rule 22A one polling agent of each
candidate ;
( c) person authorized by Election Commission ;
(d) public servants on duty in connection with the election ;
(e) a child in arms accompanying an elector ;
(f) a person accompanying a blind or infirm elector who cannot *move without help
; and
(g) such other person as the returning or the presiding officer may employ under sub
rule (2) of rule 39 or sub-rule (1) of rule 40.
38. Preparation of ballot boxes for poll :– (1) *Where a paper seal is used for securing a
ballot box, the presiding officer shall affix his own signature on the paper seal and obtain thereon the
signatures of such of the polling agents present as are desirous of affixing the same.
(2) The presiding officer shall thereafter fix the paper seal so signed in the space meant
*therefor in the ballot box and shall then secure and seal the box in such manner that the slit for the
insertion of ballot paper therein to remain open.
(3) The seals used for securing a ballot box shall be affixed in such manner that after the box
has been closed it is not possible to open it without breaking the seals.
(4) Where it is not necessary to use paper seals for securing the ballot boxes, the presiding
officer shall secure and seal the ballot box in such manner that the slit for insertion of ballot papers
remains open and shall allow the polling agents present to affix, if they so desire, their seals.
(5) Every ballot box used at a polling station shall bear label both inside and outside,
*marked with:-
(a) the serial number, if any, and name of the ward;
(b) the serial number and name of the polling station ;
(c) the serial number of the ballot box (to be filled in at the end of the poll on the
label outside the ballot box only); and
(d) the date of poll.
(6) Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the presiding officer shall
demonstrate to the polling agents and other persons present that the ballot box is empty and bears the
labels referred to in sub-rule (5).
(7) The ballot box shall then be closed, sealed and secured and placed in full view of the
presiding officer and the polling agents.
39. Facilities for women electors :– (1 ) Where a polling station is for both men and women
electors, the presiding officer may direct that they shall be admitted into the polling station alternately in
separate batches.
(2) The returning officer or the presiding officer may appoint a woman to serve as an
attendant at any polling station to assist woman electors and also to assist the presiding officer generally
in taking the poll in respect of women electors, and in particular to help in searching any women elector
in case it becomes necessary.
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40. Identification of electors :– (1) The presiding officer may employ at the polling station
such persons as he thinks fit to help in the identification of the electors, or to assist him otherwise in
taking the poll.
(2) As each elector enters the polling station, the Presiding Officer or the polling
officer authorized by him in this behalf check the elector’s name and other particular with the relevant
entries in the electoral roll and then call out the serial number, name and other particulars of the elector.
(3) In deciding the right of a person to obtain a ballot paper, the presiding officer or
the polling officer as the case may be, shall overlook merely clerical or printing errors in any entry in the
electoral roll, if he is satisfied that such person is identical with the elector to whom such entry relates.
41. Challenging of identity :– (1) Any polling agent may challenge the identity of a person
claiming to be a particular elector by first depositing a sum of two rupees in cash with the presiding
officer for each such challenge.
(2) On such deposit being made, the presiding officer shall :–
(a) warn the person challenged of the penalty for personation ;
(b) read the relevant entry in the electoral roll in full and ask him whether he is the
person referred to in that entry.
(c) enter his name and address into the list of challenged votes in Form 10 ; and
(d) require him to affix his signature in the said list ;
(3) The presiding officer shall thereafter hold a summary inquiry into the challenge and may
for that purpose :-
(a) require the challenger to adduce evidence in proof of the challenge and the
person challenged to adduce evidence in proof of his identity ;
(b) put to the person challenged any questions necessary for the purpose of
establishing his identity and require him to answer them on oath ; and
(c) administer an oath to the person challenged and any other person offering to give
evidence.
(4) If, after the enquiry, the presiding officer considers that the challenge has not been
established, he shall allow the person challenged to vote; and if he consider that the challenge has been
established, he shall debar the person challenged from voting.
(5) If the presiding officer is of the opinion that the challenge is frivolous or has not been
made in good faith, he shall direct that the deposit made under sub-rule (1) *be forefeited to the
Government; and in any other case, he shall return it to the challenger at the conclusion of the inquiry.
42. Safeguard against personation :– (1) Every elector, about whom identity the presiding
officer or the polling officer; as the case may be, is satisfied, shall allow his left fore-finger to be
inspected by the presiding officer or polling officer, and an indelible ink mark to be put on it.
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(2) If any elector refuses to allow his left fore-finger to be inspected or marked in accordance
with sub-rule (1) or has already such a mark on his left fore-finger or does any act with a view to
removing the ink mark, he shall not be supplied with any ballot paper or allowed to vote.
(3) Where a poll is taken simultaneously in a parliamentary constituency and a ward, an

elector whose left fore-finger has been marked with indelible ink at one such election not withstanding
any thing contained in sub-rules (1) and (2) be supplied with a ballot paper for the other election.
(4) Any reference in this rule to the left fore-finger of an elector shall , where the elector has
his left fore-finger missing be construed as a reference to any other finger of his left hand and shall, in the
case where all the fingers of his left hand are missing, be construed as a reference to the fore-finger or any
other finger of his right hand and shall in the case where all his fingers of both the hands are missing be
construed as a reference to such extremity of his left or right arm as he possesses.
43. Issue of ballot papers to electors :- (1) Every ballot paper shall before issue to an
elector be stamped with such distinguishing mark as the Election Commission may direct.
(2) At the time of issuing a ballot paper to an elector, the polling officer shall record the
serial number thereof against the entry relating to the elector in the copy of the electoral roll set apart for
the purpose.
(3) Save as provided in sub-rule (2), no person in the polling station shall note down the
serial numbers of the ballot papers issued to particular electors.
44. Voting Procedure :– (1) The elector on receiving the ballot paper shall forthwith:-
(a) proceed to one of the voting compartments ;
(b) there make a mark on the ballot paper with the instrument supplied for the
purpose on or near the symbol of the candidate for whom he intends to vote;
(c) fold the ballot papers so as to conceal his vote;
(d) if required, show to the presiding officer the distinguishing mark on the ballot
paper ;
(e) insert the folded ballot paper into the ballot box; and
(f) quit the polling station.
(2) Every elector shall vote without undue delay.
(3) No elector shall be allowed to enter a voting compartment when another elector in
inside it.
45. Recording of votes of blind or infirm electors :- (1) If the presiding officer is satisfied
that owing to blindness or other physical infirmity an elector is unable to recognise the symbols on the
ballot paper or to make a mark thereon without assistance, the presiding officer shall permit the elector to
take with him a companion of not less than eighteen years of age to the voting compartment for recording
the vote on the ballot paper on his behalf *and in accordance with his wishes, and if necessary, for folding
the ballot paper so as to conceal the vote and inserting it into the ballot box.
Provided that no person shall be permitted to act as the companion of more than one elector at
any polling station on the same day :
Provided further that, before any person is permitted to act as companion of an elector on any day
under this rule, the person shall be required to declare that he will keep secret the vote recorded by him on
behalf of the elector and that he has not already acted as the companions of any other elector at any
polling station on that day.
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(2) The presiding officer shall keep a record in Form 10-A of all cases under this rule.
46. Spoil and returned ballot papers :- (1) An elector who has inadvertently dealt with his
ballot papers in such manner that it cannot be conveniently used as a ballot paper may, on returning it to
the presiding officer and on satisfying him of the inadvertence, be given another ballot paper and the
ballot papers so returned shall be marked * “Spoilt, cancelled” by the presiding officer.
(2) If an elector after obtaining a ballot paper decides not to use it, he shall return it to the
presiding officer, and the ballot paper so, returned shall be marked as “Returned Cancelled” by the
presiding officer.
(3) All ballot papers cancelled under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) shall be *kept in a separate
packet.
47. Tendered Votes :- (1) If a person representing himself to be a particular elector applies
for a ballot paper after another person has already voted as such elector, he shall on satisfactory answering
such questions relating to his identity, as the presiding officer may, ask, be entitled subject to the polling
provisions of this rule to mark a ballot paper (hereafter in these rules referred to as a ‘tendered ballot
paper’) in the same manner as any other elector.
(2) Every such person shall, before being supplied with a tendered ballot paper, sign his
name against the entry relating to him in a list in Form 11.
(3) A tendered ballot paper shall be the same as the other ballot papers used at the polling
except that it shall be;
(a) serially the last in the bundle of ballot papers issued for use at the polling station;
and
(b) endorsed on the back with the words “tendered ballot paper” by the presiding
officer in his own hand and signed by him.
(4) The elector, after making a tendered ballot paper in the voting compartment and folding
it, shall instead of putting it into ballot box, give it to the presiding officer, who shall place it in a cover
specially kept for the purpose.
47-A Voting Machines at elections :- Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, the
giving and recording of votes by voting machines shall be in such a manner, as the Election Commission
may, having regard to the circumstances of each case, specify.
Explanation :- For the purposes of this rule “Voting machines” means any machine or apparatus,
whether operated electronically or otherwise, used for giving or recording of votes and any reference to a
ballot box or ballot paper in the Act or the rules made thereunder, shall, save as otherwise provided, be
construed as including a reference to such voting machine wherever such voting machine is used at any
election.
48. Closing of poll :-(1) The presiding officer shall close a polling station at the hour fixed in
that behalf under rule 29 and shall not admit there to any elector after that hour;
Provided that all electors present within the polling station before it is closed shall be entitled to
cast their votes.
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(2) Any question that may arise, as to whether an elector shall, for the *proviso to sub-rule
(1), be deemed to be present within the polling station before it is closed, shall be decided by the
presiding officer whose decision shall be final.
49. Sealing of ballot boxes after poll :- (1) As soon as practicable after the closing of the
poll, the presiding officer shall close the slit of the ballot box, and where the box does not contain any
mechanical device for closing the slit, he shall seal up the slit and also allow any polling agent present to
affix his seal.
(2) The ballot box shall, thereafter, be sealed and secured.
(3) Where it becomes necessary to use a second ballot box by reason of the first ballot box
getting full, the first box shall be closed, sealed and secured as provided in sub-rules(1) and (2) before
another ballot box is put into use.
50. Account of ballot papers :- The presiding officer shall at the close of the poll prepare a
ballot paper account in Form 12 and enclose it in a separate cover with the words “Ballot Paper Account”
*subscribed thereon.
51. Sealing of other packets :- The presiding officer shall then make into separate packets:-
(a) the marked copy of electoral roll;
(b) the unused ballot papers;
(c) the cancelled ballot papers;
(d) the cover containing the tendered ballot papers and the list in Form 11;
(e) the list of challenged votes; and
(f) any other papers directed by the Election Commission to be kept in a sealed
packet.
(2) Each such packed shall be sealed with the seals of the presiding officer and of those
polling agents present who may desire to affix their seals thereon.
52. Transmission of ballot boxes, etc., to the returning officer-(1) The presiding officer
shall then deliver or cause to be delivered to the returning officer at such place as the returning officer
may direct:-
(a) the ballot boxes referred to in rule 49;

(b) the ballot paper account;
(c) the sealed packets referred to in rule 51; and
(d) all other papers used at the poll.
(2) The returning officer shall make adequate arrangements for the safe transport of all ballot
boxes, packets and other papers and for their safe custody until the commencement of the counting of
votes.
53. Procedure on adjournment of poll :- (1) If the poll at any polling station is adjourned
under rule 30, the provisions of rules 49 to 52 shall, as far as practicable, apply as if the poll was closed at
the hour fixed in that behalf under rule 29.
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(2) When as adjourned poll is recommended under sub-rule (2) of rule 30, the electors who
have already voted at the poll so adjourned shall not be allowed to vote again.
(3) The returning officer shall provide the presiding officer of the polling station at which
such adjourned poll is held with the sealed packet containing the marked copy of the electoral roll and a
new ballot box.
(4) The presiding officer shall open the sealed packet in the presence of such candidates or
their polling agents as may be present and use the marked copy of the electoral roll for recording the
Serial Nos. of ballot paper issued to electors at the adjourned poll.
(5) The provisions of rules 33 to 52 shall apply in relation to the conduct of an adjourned poll
as they apply in relation to the poll before it was so adjourned.
CHAPTER VI -- POSTAL BALLOT
54. Postal ballot for electors employed on duty at polling station :- (1) **A Presiding
Officer, a Polling Officer, Service voters, special voters and their wives, or any other public servant who
is an elector in a ward and is by reason of his being on election duty unable to vote at the polling station
where he is entitled to do so, may, on application, be allowed to record his vote in that ward by postal
ballot.
(2) Every such application shall be made in Form 13 and shall be sent to the returning officer
so as to reach him at least seven days or such shorter period as the returning officer may allow before the
date of poll.
(3) If the returning officer is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to vote by postal ballot
under sub-rule (1) he shall issue a ballot paper to him.
(4) These provisions shall not apply to any person who produces at the polling station an
election duty certificate in Form 13-A and asks for the issue of a ballot paper to him although the polling
station is different from the one where he is entitled to vote.
(5) On production of such certificate the presiding officer shall:-
(a) obtain thereon the signatures of the person producing it;

(b) have the person’s name and electoral roll number as mentioned in the certificate
entered at the end of the marked copy of electoral roll; and
(c) issue to him a ballot paper and permit him to vote, in the same manner as for an
elector entitled to vote at that polling station.
55. Form of postal ballot paper :- (1) A postal ballot paper shall be in such form and shall
be in such language or languages, in whole or in part, as the Election Commission may direct.
(2) The names of the candidates shall be arranged in the order in which they appear in the list
of contesting candidates.
(3) If two or more candidates bear the same name, they shall be distinguished by the addition
of their occupation or residence or in some other manner.
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** Substituted vide Notification bearing No.2/3/FI(2)LG-96/8354 dated 21st June, 1996
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56. Issue of postal ballot papers :- (1) The returning officer shall, as soon as practicable,
deliver or cause to be delivered personally a postal ballot paper to each elector entitled to vote by postal
ballot and *shall at the same time:-
(a) record in such manner as he think fit the serial number of each ballot paper
against the entry relating to that elector in the copy of the electoral roll set apart
for the purpose, thereinafter referred to as the marked copy of the electoral roll ;
and
(b) ensure that the elector is not allowed to vote at a polling station.
(2) Alongwith the ballot paper, the returning officer shall sent to the elector:-
(a) a declaration in Form 14-A.

(b) a cover in Form 14-B.
(c) a large cover addressed to the returning officer in Form 14-C; and
(d) instructions for the guidance of the elector.
(3) Every officer under whose care or through whom a postal ballot paper is sent shall ensure
that the same is delivered to the addressee without delay.
(4) After ballot paper have been issued to all the electors entitled to vote, by postal ballot the
returning officer shall seal up in a packet the marked copy of the electoral roll used in connection with the
issue of postal ballot papers and record on the packet a brief description of its contents, the name of the
ward and the date on which it is sealed.
(5) No election shall be invalidated by reason that an elector has not received his ballot
paper, provided that a ballot paper has been issued to him in accordance with these rules.
57. Recording of votes on postal ballot papers :- (1) An elector who has received a postal
ballot paper and desires to vote shall record his vote on the ballot paper in accordance with the directions
contained in Part I of Form 14-D; and then enclose it in the cover in Form 14-B.
(2) The elector shall sign the declaration in Form 14-A in the presence of, and have the
signature attested by, a stipendiary magistrate or a Gazetted Officer to whom he is personally known or to
*whose satisfaction he has been identified.
58. Assistance to illiterate electors :- (1) If an *elector is unable through illiteracy,

blindness or other physical infirmity to record his vote on a *postal ballot paper and sign the declaration
in Form 14-A, he shall take the ballot paper together with the declaration and the cover received by him to
an officer referred to in sub-rule (2) of rule 57 and request such officer to record his vote and sign his
declaration on his behalf.
(2) Such officer shall thereupon mark the ballot paper in accordance with the wishes of the
elector in his presence and sign the declaration on behalf of the elector and complete the certificate
contained in Form 14-A.
59. Re-issue of postal *ballot papers :- (1) When a postal ballot paper and other papers sent
under rule 56 are for any reasons returned undelivered, the returning officer may re-issue them by post
under certificate or posting or deliver them or cause them to be delivered to the elector personally on a
request being made by him.
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(2) If any elector has inadvertently dealt with his ballot paper or any of *other paper sent to
him under rule 56 in such a manner that they cannot conveniently be used, a second set of the papers shall
be issued to him after *he has returned the spoilt papers and satisfied the returning officer of the
inadvertence.
(3) The returning officer shall cancel the spoilt papers so returned and keep them in a
separate packet after noting thereon the serial numbers of all such cancelled ballot papers.
60. Return of postal ballot papers :- (1) After an elector has recorded his vote and made his
declaration under rule 57 or rule 58, he shall *return the postal ballot paper and declaration to the
returning officer of the ward in which the elector is entitled to vote, in accordance with the instructions
communicated to him in Form 14-D so as to reach the returning officer before 10.00 a.m. on the date or
the last of the dates fixed for the counting.
(2) If any cover containing a postal paper is received by the returning officer after the expiry
of the time fixed in sub-rule (1), he shall note thereon the data and time of its receipt and shall keep all
such covers together in a separate packet.
(3) The returning officer shall *keep in safe custody until the commencement of the counting
of votes all covers containing postal ballot papers received by him.
CHAPTET VII -- COUNTING OF VOTES
61. Definitions :- In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:-

(a) “candidate” means a contesting candidate;
(b) “Counting agent” means a counting agent duly appointed under rule 63 and
includes a candidate when present at the counting.
62. Time and place for counting of votes :- Where a poll is taken, votes shall be counted
by, or under the supervision or direction of, the returning officer and each candidate and his counting
agent shall have a right to be present at the time of counting.
(2) The returning officer shall at least one week before the date, or the first of the dates fixed
for the poll, appoint the place for places, where the counting of votes will be done and the date and time at
which the counting will commence and shall give notice of the same in writing to each candidate or his
election agent :
Provided that if for any reasons the returning officer finds it necessary so to do, he may alter the
date, time and place or places so fixed or any of them, after giving notice of the same in writing to each
candidate or his election agent.
63. Appointment of counting agents and revocation of such appointment :- (1) The
number of counting agents that a candidate may appoint shall, subject to such general or special direction
as the Election Commission may issue in this behalf, not exceed sixteen at the place or each of the place
fixed for counting under rule 62.
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(2) Every such appointment shall be made in Form 15 in duplicate, one copy of which shall
be forwarded to the returning officer while the other copy shall be made over to the counting agent for
production before the returning officer before 6 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the date fixed for
counting under rule 62.
(3) No counting agent shall be admitted into the place fixed for counting unless he has
delivered to the returning officer the second copy of his appointment under sub-rule (2) after duly
completing and signing the declaration contained therein and receiving from the returning officer an
authority for entry into the place fixed for counting.
(4) Any revocation of the appointment of a counting agent shall be signed by the candidate in
Form 16 and shall operate from the date on which it is lodged with the returning officer and in the event
of such a revocation or of the death of a counting agent before the commencement of the counting of
votes, the candidates may appoint another counting agent in accordance with the sub-rule (2) at any time
before the counting of votes is commenced and shall forthwith give notice * thereof to the returning
officer.
64. Admission to the place fixed for countings :- (1) The returning officer shall exclude
from the place fixed for counting of votes all persons except :-
(a) such persons as he may appoint to assist him in the counting ;

(b) candidates and their counting agent ;
(c) persons authorized by the Election Commission; and
(d) public servants on duty in connection with the election.
(2) No person who has been employed by or on behalf of, or has been otherwise working for,
a candidate in or about the election shall be appointed under clause (a) of sub rule (1).
(3) The returning officer shall decide which counting agent or *agents shall watch the
counting at any particular counting table or group of counting tables.
(4) Any person who during the counting of votes misconducts himself or fails to obey the
lawful directions of the returning officer *may be removed from the place where the votes are being
counted by the returning officer or by police officer on duty or by any person authorised in this behalf by
the returning officer.
65. Maintenance of secrecy of voting :– The returning officer shall, before he commences
the counting, read out the provisions of section 26 to such person as may be present.
66. Scrutiny and opening of ballot boxes :– (1) The returning officer may have the ballot
boxes used at more than one polling station opened and their *contents counted simultaneously.
(2) Before any ballot box is opened at a counting table, the counting agents present at the
table shall be allowed to inspect the paper seal or such other seal as might have been affixed thereon and
to satisfy themselves that it is intact.
(3) The returning officer shall satisfy himself that none of the ballot boxes has in fact been
tampered with.
(4) If the returning officer is satisfied that any ballot box has in fact been tampered with he
shall not count the ballot papers contained in that box and shall follow the procedure laid down in rule 31
in respect of that polling station.
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67. Scrutiny and rejecting of ballot papers :– (1) The ballot papers taken out of each
ballot box shall be arranged in convenient bundles and scrutinised.
(2) The returning officer shall reject a ballot papers:-

(a) if it bears any mark or writing by which the elector can be identified ; or
(b) If no vote is recorded thereon ; or
(c) If votes are given on it in favour of more than one candidate ; or
(d) If the mark indicating the vote thereon is placed in such manner as to make it
doubtful to which candidate the vote has been given ; or
(e) if it is a spurious ballot paper ; or
(f) if it is so damaged or mutilated that its identity as a genuine ballot paper cannot
be established ; or
(g) if it bears a serial number, or is of a design , different from the serial numbers or,
as the case may be design of the ballot papers authorised for use at the particular
polling station ; or
(h) if it does not bear the mark which it would have borne under the provision of
sub-rule (1) of rule 43:
Provided that where the returning officer is satisfied that any such defect as is mentioned in
clause (g) or *clause (h) has been caused by any mistake or failure on the part of a presiding officer or
polling officer, the ballot papers shall not be rejected merely on the ground of such defect:
Provided further that a ballot paper shall not be rejected merely on the ground that the mark
including the vote is indistinct or made more than once, if the intention is that the vote shall be *for a
particular candidate clearly appears from the way the paper is marked.
(3) Before rejecting any ballot paper under sub-rule (2), the returning officer shall allow each
counting agent present a reasonable opportunity to inspect the ballot paper but shall not allow him to
handle it or any other ballot paper.
(4) The returning officer shall record on every ballot paper which he rejects the letter ‘R’ and
the grounds of rejection in abbreviated form either in his own hand or by means of a rubber stamp.
(5) All ballot papers rejected under this rule shall be bundled together.
68. Counting of votes.-(1) Every ballot paper which is not rejected under rule 67 shall be
counted as one valid vote :
Provided that no cover containing tendered ballot papers shall be opened and no such papers shall
be counted.
(2) After the counting of all ballot papers contained in all the ballot *boxes used at a polling
station has been completed, the returning officer shall make the entries in a result sheet in Form 17 and
announce the particulars.
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(3) The valid ballot papers shall thereafter be bundled together and kept along with the
bundle of rejcected ballot paper in a separate packet which shall be sealed and on which shall be recorded
the following particulars, namely:-
(a) the name of the ward;

(b) the particulars of the polling station where the ballot papers have been used; and
(c) the date of counting.
69. Counting to be continuous :- The returning officer shall, as far as practicable, proceed
continuously with the counting and shall, during any intervals when the counting has to be suspended,
keep the ballot papers, packets and all others relating to the election sealed with his own seal and the seals
of such, candidates as may desired to affix their seals and take sufficient precaution for their safe custody
during such intervals.
70. Recommencement of counting after fresh polls :- (1) If a fresh poll is held under rule
31, the returning officer shall, after completion of that poll, recommence the counting of votes on the date
and at the time and place which have been fixed by him in that behalf and of which notice has been
previously given to the candidates and their election agents.
(2) The provisions of rules 67 and 68 shall apply so far may be to such further counting.
71. Scrutiny and counting of postal ballot papers :- (1) Before the counting of ballot
papers found in ballot boxes has been completed, the returning officer shall deal with the postal ballot
papers in the manner hereinafter provided.
(2) No cover in Form 14-C received by the returning officer after the expiry of the time fixed
in that behalf shall be opened and no vote contained in any such cover shall be counted.
(3) The other covers shall be opened after another and as each cover is opened, the returning
officer shall first scrutinise the declaration in Form 14-A contained therein.
(4) If the said declaration is not found, or has not been duly signed and attested, or is
otherwise substantially defective, or if the serial number of the postal ballot paper as entered in it differs
from the serial number endorsed on the cover in Form 14-B, that cover shall not be opened, and after
making an appropriate endorsement thereon, the returning officer shall reject the postal ballot paper
therein contained.
(5) Each cover so endorsed and the declaration received with it shall be replaced in the cover
in Form 14-C and all such covers in Form 14-C shall be kept in a separate packet which shall be sealed
and on which shall be recorded the name of the ward the date of counting and a brief description of its
contents.
(6) The returning officer shall then place all the declarations in Form 14-A which he has
found to be in order in a separate packet which shall be sealed before any cover in Form 14-B is opened
and on which shall be recorded the particulars referred to in sub-rule (5).
(7) The covers in Form 14-B not already dealt with under the foregoing provisions of this
rule shall then be opened one after another and the returning officer shall scrutinise each postal ballot
paper and decide the validity of the vote recorded thereon.
(8) A postal ballot paper shall be rejected :

(a) if no vote is recorded thereon; or
(b) if votes are given on it in favour of more candidates than one; or
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(c) If it is spurious ballot paper ; or

(d) if it is so damaged or multiplated that its identity as a genuine ballot paper
cannot be established ; and
(e) if it is not returned in the cover sent along with it to the elector by the returning
officer.
(9) A vote recorded on a postal ballot paper shall be rejected if the mark indicating the vote
is placed on the ballot paper in such manner as to make it doubtful to which candidate the vote has been
given.
(10) A vote recorded on a postal ballot paper shall not be rejected merely on the grounds that
the mark indicating the vote is indistinct or made more than once if the intention that the vote shall before
a particular candidate clearly appears from the way the ballot paper is marked.
(11) The returning officer shall count all the valid votes given by postal ballot in favour of
each candidate, record the total thereof in the result sheet in Form 17 and announce the same.
(12) Thereafter all the valid postal ballot papers and all the rejected postal ballot papers shall
be separately bundled and kept together in a packet which shall be sealed and on which shall be recorded
the name of the ward, the date of counting and a brief description of its contents.
71-A. Destruction loss etc. of ballot paper at the time of counting :– (1) If at any time
before the counting of votes is completed, any ballot papers used at a polling station or at a place fixed for
the poll are unlawfully taken out of the custody of the Returning Officer or are accidentally or
intentionally destroyed or lost or are damaged or tampered with to such an extent that the result of the
poll at that polling station or place cannot be ascertained, the Returning Officer shall forthwith report the
matter to the Election Commission.
(2) The Election Commission shall, after taking all material circumstances into account,
either :-
(a) direct that the counting of votes shall be stopped or declare the poll at the polling
station or place to be void and appoint a day and fix the hours, for taking a fresh
poll at that polling station or place and notify the date so appointed and hours so
fixed in such manner, as it may deem fit; or
(b) If satisfied that the result of a fresh poll at that polling station or place will not, in
any way, affect the result of the election, issue such direction to the returning
officer, as it may deem proper for the resumption and completion of the counting
and for the further conduct and completion of the election, in relation to which
the votes have been counted.
(3) The provisions of the Act and of any rules or orders made thereunder shall apply to every
fresh poll ordered to be taken under Clause (a) of sub-rule (2), as they apply to the original poll.
72. Recount of votes :– (1) After the completion of the counting the returning officer shall
record, in the result sheet in Form 17, the total number of votes polled by each candidate and announce
the same.
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(2) After such announcement has been made, a candidate may apply in writing to the
returning officer for a recount of all or any of the ballot papers, already counted, stating the ground on
which he demands such recount.
(3) On such an application being made the returning officer, shall decide the matter and may
allow the application in whole or in part may reject it in toto if appears to him to be frivolous or
unreasonable.
(4) Every decision of the returning officer under sub-rule (3) shall be in writing and contain
the reasons therefor.
(5) If the returning officer decides under sub-rule (3) to allow an application either in whole
or in part, he shall :-
(a) count the ballot paper again in accordance with his decision ;
(b) amend the result sheet in Form 17 to the extent necessary after such recount; and
(c) announce the amendment made by him.
(6) After the total number of votes polled by each candidate has been announced under sub-
rule (1) or sub-rule (5), the returning officer shall complete and sign the result sheet in Form 17 and no
application for a recount shall be entertained thereafter :
Provided that no step under this sub-rules shall be taken on the completion of the counting until
the candidates present at the completion thereof have been given a reasonable opportunity to exercise the
right conferred by sub-rule (2).
73. Equality of votes :- If any equality of votes is found to exist between candidates and the
addition of one vote will entitle any of those candidates to be declared elected, the returning officer, shall
decide between those candidates by lot and proceed as if the candidates on whom the lot falls had
received an additional vote.
74. Declaration of result of election :– The returning officer shall subject to the provisions
of rule 73 if and so far as they apply to the particular case, declare to be elected the candidate to whom the
largest number of valid votes had been given, complete and certify the return of election in Form 18 and
send signed copies thereof to the Election Commission.
75. Grant of certificate of election to returned candidates - As soon as may be after a

candidate has been declared by the returning officer under rule 74 to be elected, the returning officer shall
grant to such candidate a certificate of election in Form 19 and obtain from the candidate an
acknowledgement *of its receipt duly signed by him and immediately send the acknowledgement to the
Election Commission.
76. Election to more than one seat :- If a person is elected to more than one seat then unless
within three days from the date of publication *of the result of election under section 17, he resigns all but
one of the seats by writing under his hand addressed to Election Commission, all the seats shall become
vacant.
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77. Custody of ballot boxes and papers relating to election :- (1) All ballot boxes used at
an election shall be kept in such custody as the Election Commission may direct.
(2) The returning officer shall forward the packets of unused ballot papers, the packets of
used ballot papers whether valid, tendered or rejected and all other *papers relating to the election to the
Election Commission who shall keep the same in safe custody.
77-A. Production and Inspection of election papers :- (1) While in the custody of the
Election Commission :-
(a) the packets of unused ballot papers ;
(b) the packets of used ballot papers whether valid, tendered or rejected ;
(c) the packets of the marked copy of the electoral rolls; and
(d) the packets of the declarations by electors and the attestation of their signatures
shall not be opened and their contents shall not be inspected by, or produced
before, any person or authority except under order of a competent court.
(2) All other papers relating to the election shall be open to public inspection subject to such
conditions and to the payment of such fee, if any, as the Election Commission may direct.
(3) Copies of the returns by the returning officer forwarded under rule 74 shall be furnished
by the Election Commission on payment of a fee of two rupees for each copy.
78. Disposal of election papers :- Subject to any direction to the contrary given by a
competent court, the packets and other papers referred to in sub-rule (2) of rule 77 shall be retained for a
period of six months from the date of publication of the result of election under section 17 and shall
thereafter be destroyed :
Provided that if an election petition is filed under section 18 of the Act, the packets and other
papers referred to in this rule shall not be destroyed unless the petition is finally dispose of.
PART-IV
DISPUTE REGARDING ELECTIONS
CHAPTER I -- INTERPRETATIONS
79. Definition :- In this part, unless the context otherwise requires:-
(a) ‘Candidate’ means as person who has been or claims to have been duly
nominated as a candidate at any election and any such person shall be deemed to
have been a candidate as from the time when, *with the election in prospect, be
began to hold himself out as a prospective candidate;
(b) ‘costs’ means all costs, charges and expenses of, or incidental to, a trial of an
election petition.
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(c) ‘electoral right’ means the right of a person to stand or not to stand, as or to
withdraw from being a candidate or to vote or refrain from voting at all election.
(d) ‘pleader’ means any person entitled to appear and plead for another in a civil
court and includes an advocate, a vakil and an attorney of a High Court.
(e) ‘prescribed authority’ means such authority as the Administrator may from time
to time by order to be published in the official *gazette prescribe.
CHAPTER II -- ELECTION PETITIONS
80. Additional contents of petition :- (1) Where the petitioner alleges any corrupt practice,
an election petition, shall, in addition to complying with the provisions of Section 18 also set forth full
particulars of that corrupt practice including as full a statement as possible of names of the parties alleged
to have committed such corrupt practice and the date and place of the ommission of each corrupt practice
and shall also be accompanied by an affidavit in the prescribed form in support of such corrupt practice
and the particulars thereof.
(2) Any schedule or annexure to the petition shall also be signed by the petitioner and
verified in the same manner as the petition.
81. Petition to be dismissed :- If the provisions of section 18 or rule 89 are not complied
with, the prescribed authority shall dismiss the petition ;
Provided that the petition shall not be dismissed without giving the petitioner an
opportunity of being heard.
82. Procedure before the prescribed authority :- (1) As soon as the prescribed authority
receives the petition, it shall serve on *each respondent a notice in such form as it thinks fit directing the
respondent to appear before the prescribed authority and answer the claim made in the petition on a day to
be specified therein.
(2) Any candidate not already a respondent shall, upon an application made by him to the
prescribed authority within fourteen days from the date fixed for the respondents to appear and subject to
the provisions of rule 89, entitled to be joined as a respondent.
83. Appearance before the prescribed authority :- Any appearance, application or act
before the prescribed authority may be made or done by the party in person or by a pleader duly
appointed to act on his behalf :
Provided that is shall be open to the prescribed authority to direct any party to appear in person
whenever the prescribed authority considers it necessary.
84. Powers of the prescribed authority :- The prescribed authority shall have the powers
which are vested in a civil court when trying a suit in respect of the following matters:-
(a) discovery and inspection ;

(b) enforcing the attendance of witnesses and requiring the deposit of their expenses;
(c) compelling the production of documents ;
(d) examining witnesses on oath ;
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(e) granting adjournments ;

(f) reception of evidence taken on affidavit; and
(g) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses.
85. Documentary evidence :- Not withstanding anything contained in any other law to the
contrary, no document shall be inadmissible in evidence at the trial of an election petition on the ground
that it is not duly stamped or registered.
86. Secrecy of voting not to be infringed :- No witness or other person shall be required to
state for whom he has voted at an election.
87. Other orders to be made by the prescribed authority :- Where any charge is made in
the petition of any corrupt practice having been committed at the election, the prescribed authority shall
also make an order at the time of making an order under section 22, indicating:-
(i) whether any corrupt practice has or has not been proved to have been committed
at the election, and the nature of that corrupt practice;
(ii) the names of all persons, who have been proved at the trial to have been guilty of
any corrupt practice; and
(iii) the total amount of costs payable and specifying the persons by whom these costs
shall be paid and the persons to whom these costs shall be paid:-
Provided that a person who is not a party to the petition, shall not be named in the order under
sub-clause (ii) unless:-
(a) he has been given notice to appear before the prescribed authority and to show
*cause why he should not be so named; and
(b) if he appears in pursuance of the notice, he has been *given an opportunity of

cross-examination any witness, who has already been examined by prescribed
authority and has given evidence against him, of calling evidence in his defence
and of being heard.
88. Communication of order to the Election Commission and transmission of the case :-
The prescribed authority shall, after announcing the order made by it under section 22 send a copy of the
order and the records of the case to the Election Commission.
89. Deposit of security :- (1) The petitioner shall enclose with the petition receipt showing
that a deposit of five hundred rupees has been made by him with the Election Commission or any officer
designated by him for the purpose as security for the costs of the petition.
(2) No person shall be entitled to be joined as a respondent unless he has given such security
for costs as the prescribed authority may direct.
90. Costs :- Costs, including pleader’s fee, shall be in the discretion of the prescribed
authority and shall be paid out of the security deposit provided for in rule 89.
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91. Payment of costs out of security deposit and return of such deposits :- (1) If in any
order as to costs under the provisions of this part there *is a direction for payment of costs by any party to
any person, such costs shall, if they have not been already paid, be paid in full, or so far as possible out
of security deposit made by such party under this part on an application made in writing in that behalf
within a period of six months from the date of the order of the prescribed *authority to the Election
Commission by the person in whose favour the costs have been awarded.
(2) If there is any balance left of any of the said security deposit after payment under sub-rule
(1) of the costs referred to in that sub-rule, such balance or where no cost have been awarded or no
application as aforesaid has been made within in the said period of six months the whole of the said
security deposit may, on an application made in that behalf in writing to the Election Commission by the
person by whom the deposit has been made, or if such person dies after making such deposit, by the legal
representative of such person be returned to the said person or to his legal representative, as the case may
be.
PART V
CORRUPT PRACTICES
92. Corrupt Practices :- In addition to the corrupt practices specified in section 25, the
following shall be deemed to be corrupt practice:-
(1) The obtaining or procuring or abetting or attempting to obtain or procure by a candidate

or his agent or by any other person with the consent of a candidate any assistance (other than the giving of
vote) for the furtherance of the prospects of that candidates election from any person:-
(a) in the service of the Corporation ; or

(b) in the service of the Government and belonging to any of the following classes;
namely:-
(i) gazetted officers ;
(ii) stipendiary judges and magistrates ;
(iii) members of the armed forces of the Union ;
(iv) members of the police force ;
(v) excise officers ;
(vi) revenue officers other than village revenue officers known as
lambardars, malaguzars or by any other name whose duty is to collect
land revenue and who are remunerated by a share of or commission on
the amount of land revenue collected by them but who do not discharge
any police functions; and
(vii) Such other class or persons in the service of the Government as may be
notified by the Government.
Explanation :- For purposes of this rule, a person shall deemed to assist in the furtherance the
prospects of a candidate’s election if he acts as a polling agent or a counting agent of that candidate.
(2) To exceed the limit of maximum election expenses fixed under Rule 96 or not
maintaining and lodging the accounts of the election expenses in the prescribed form and manner within
the prescribed time limit.
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PART VI
MISCELLANEOUS
93. Extension of time for completion of election :- It shall be competent for the Election
Commission for reasons, which he considers *sufficient, to extend the time for the completion of any
election by making necessary amendments in the notification issued by him under rule 11.
94. Staff of Government and every local and statutory authority to be made available
for election work :- Every officer of the Government and every local and statutory authority in the U.T.
of Chandigarh shall, when so requested by the Election Commission make available to him such staff as
may be necessary for the performance of any duties in connection with an election.
95. Requisitioning of premises, vehicle etc. for election purposes :- (1) If it appears to the
Election Commission that in connection with an election under these rules:-
(a) any premises are needed or likely to be needed for the purpose of being used as a
polling station or any other purpose in connection with *the election ; or
(b) Any vehicle, vessel or animal is needed or is likely to be needed for the purpose
of transport of ballot boxes, ballot papers and other election material to or from
any polling station or transport of any officer or other person performing any
duty in connection with such *election or transport of members of the police
force for maintaining order during the conduct of such election ;
The Election Commission may by order in writing addressed to the person who in his opinion is
the owner or is in possession of the property and served in the manner laid down in section 371,
requisitions such premises, or such vehicle, vessles or animals, as the case may be and may make such
further order as may appear to him to *be necessary or expedient in connection with the requisition :
Provided that no vehicle, vessel or animal *which is being lawfully used by a candidate or his
agent for any purpose connected with the election of such candidate shall be requisitioned under this rule
(2) Whenever any property is requisitioned under sub-rule (1) the period of such requisition
shall not extend beyond the period for which the property is required for any of the purpose mentioned in
that sub-rule.
(3) Where any premises have been requisitioned under sub-rule (1) the owner or the person
in possession of the premises shall deliver possession thereof to the Election Commission or to any
person authorised by him in this behalf at the time specified for the purpose in the order of requisitioning
and if any person refuses or fails to deliver possession, the Election Commission may take possession of
premises and may for that purpose use such force as may be necessary.
(4) Whenever any premises or any vehicle, vessel or animal are requisitioned under this rule,
there shall be paid to the person in actual possession of the premises immediately before the requisition or
where no person was in actual possession to the owner of the premises or as the case may be, to the owner
of the vehicle, vessel or animal, such compensation as the Election Commission deems reasonable:
Provided that where any person does not accept the amount of compensation as reasonable, the
Election Commission shall refer the matter to an arbitrator for his decision and the decision of the
arbitrator shall be final.
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32
(5) Any premises requisitioned under this rule shall be released from requisition immediately
on expiry of the period for which it was requisitioned and the possession thereof shall be delivered to the
person from whom the possession was taken or if there were no such person, to the person who in the
opinion of the Election Commission is the owner and such delivery of the possession shall be full
discharge of the Election Commission from all liabilities in respect of such delivery :
Provided that where the person to whom the possession of any premises is to be given under this
rule can not be found or has no agent or any other person to accept delivery on *his behalf, the Election
Commission shall cause a notice declaring that such premises are released from requisition to be affixed
on some conspicuous part of the premises and thereupon the premises shall cause to be subject to
requisition and be deemed to have been delivered to the person entitled to possession thereof.
(6) The Government may by order in writing direct that any powers conferred or any duty
imposed on the Election Commission by this rule shall under such conditions, if any, as may be specified
in the direction be exercised or discharged by such officer or class of officers as may be so specified.
96. Maximum election expenses :- (1) The Election Commission may, from time to time, by
a notification in the Official Gazette, fix maximum election expenses which can be incurred by the
candidate for election from one ward.
(2) Every candidate shall maintain daily diary of expenses incurred by him, which shall be
subject to the scrutiny by the Election Commission.
97. Submission of return of election expenses :- Every contesting candidate at an election

shall, within fifteen days from the date of declaration of the result of the election, submit to the Election
Commission *an account of his election expenses in such proforma as may be specified by the Election
Commission.
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33
FORM 1
PUBLIC NOTICE OF ELECTION
[See Rule 12)]
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh
Notice is hereby given that:-
(1) an election is to be held on _____________________________________;
(2) Forms of nomination paper may be obtained at the offices of the officers specified in paragraph 6
between the hours of _______________ and ____________ from___________ (date) to
______________________ (date );
(3) Nomination papers may be delivered between the hours of 11 in the morning and 3 in the
afternoon by a candidate or his proposer to any of the officers specified in paragraph (6) at his
office on any day other than public holiday and not later than the _____________ day of
____________________;
(4) the nomination papers will be taken up for scrutiny at __________________(hour) on

_____________________ (date) at ________________________ (Place);
(5) notice of withdrawal of candidates may be delivered by a candidate or his proposer or his election
agent to and any one of the officers specified in paragraph (6) of at his office before 3 in the
afternoon on _________________________;
(6) nomination papers and notices of withdrawal may be delivered to the __________________ at
his office ;
(7) in the event of the election being contested the poll will take place on __________ between the
hours of ___________________ and _________________;
Date _________________________ Returning Officer,

Place _________________________ ______________ Ward
Here insert the name and designation of the officer(s) to whom and the place at which the
nomination papers and notice of withdrawal are to be delivered.
34
35
36
FORM 3
Notice of Nomination
[See Rule 17(1)]
Election of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No.__________
Notice is hereby given that the following nominations in respect of the above election have been
received upto 3 P.M. today:-
Serial Name Name of Address Particulars Electoral Name of Electoral

Number of *father/ of caste for roll proposer roll
of candidate husband candidates number of number
nominatio belonging candidate of
n paper to proposer
Scheduled
Castes or
Backward
Class
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Place_____________________
Dated____________________
*Strike off the inappropriate alternatives.

37
FORM 4
List of Validly Nominated Candidates
[See Rule 18(8)]
Election of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No._______________
Sr.No. Name of candidate Name of *father/husband Address of candidate
1. 2. 3. 4.
Place________________ Scrutinising Officer

Countersigned
Date________________ Returning Officer
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*Strike off the inappropriate alternative.
38
FORM 5
Notice of Withdrawal
[See Rule 19(1)]
Election of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No.________________
To
The Returning Officer
I ____________________________________ a candidate; nominated at the above election do

hereby give notice that I withdraw my candidature.
Place__________________ Signature of Candidate
Date__________________
This notice was delivered to me at my office at ________ (hours) on ________________(date)

by ______________________________ (Name) the*__________________________________________
Date _________________________ Returning Officer
Receipt for Notice of Withdrawal
(to be handed over to the person delivering the notice)
The notice of withdrawal of a candidature by _____________ a candidate at the election of the

Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No. _____________ was delivered to me by*
______________________ at my office at _______________ (hours) on _____________________
(date).
Returning Officer
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*Here insert one of the following alternatives as may be appropriate :
(a) Candidate.
(b) Candidate’s proposer

39
FORM 6
Notice of withdrawal of Candidature
[See Rule 19(4)]
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No.__________
Notice is hereby given that the following *candidate/candidates at the above election
withdrew *his candidature/their candidatures today:-
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Candidate Address of candidate Remarks
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
etc.
Date______________________ Returning Officer
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40
FORM 7
List of Contesting Candidates
[See Rule 20(1)]
Election of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No.__________
Serial Name of candidate Address of candidate Party Affiliation of Symbol

No. Candidate allotted
1.
2.
3.
4.
etc.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Place_______________
Returning Officer
Date________________
41
FORM 8
Appointment of Election Agent
[See Rule 22 (2)]
Election to ________________________
To
The Returning Officer
I ______________________ of__________________ a candidate at the above election do hereby

appoint ____________ of____________ as my election agent from this day at the above election.
Place_______________ Signature of candidate
Date________________
I accept the above appointment.
I declare that I have not been disqualified for being a councillor or an elderman under Section 13
of the Act.
Place___________________
Signature of election agent
Date___________________
42
FORM 8-A
Revocation of Appointment of Election Agent
[See Rules 22 (4)]
Election to the ……………………………….
To
The Returning Officer,
I……………………………………..a candidate at the above election, hereby revoke the
appointment of……………………………..my election agent.
Place………………………..
Date ……………………….. Signature of candidate.

43
FORM 8-B
Appointment of Polling Agent
[See Rule 22-A (1)]
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No……………………
I…………………………………………….…..a candidate at the above election, do hereby

appoint…………………………….of………………………………………as a polling agent to Polling
Station No.……………………… … at………………………………..…..
Place………………………..
Date………………………... Signature of Candidate.
I agree to act as such polling agent.
Place……………………………
Date……………………………. Signature of Polling Agent.
Declaration by polling agent to be signed before Presiding Officer.
I hereby declare that at the above election I will not do anything forbidden by Section 26 of the
Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 as extended to Union Territory of Chandigarh by the Punjab
Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994 which ** I have read/has been read
over to me.
Signature of Polling Agent.

Date………………………..
Signed before me.
Date……………………….. Presiding Officer.
To be handed over to the Polling Agent for production at the polling station.
**Strike off the inappropriate alternative.
Section 26 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, as extended to Union Territory of
Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994:-
“26. Maintenance of secrecy of Voting :-
(1) Every officer or clerk, agent or other person who performs any duty in connection with the
recording or counting of votes at an election shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of
the voting and shall not (except for some purpose) authorized by or under any law communicate
to any person any information calculated to violate such secrecy.
(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or fine, or with both.”
44
FORM 9
Revocation of Appointment of Polling Agent
(See Rule 23)
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No………..…….
To
The Presiding Officer,
I…………………………………………..a candidate at the above election, hereby revoke the

appointment of……………………………………………………..my polling agent in respect of Polling
Station No………………………………………………….……………. .
Signature of candidate
Place…………………
Date………………….
45
FORM 10
List of Challenged Votes
[See Rule 41 (2) (c)]
Election of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No……………
Number and name of Polling Station………………………………
Serial Name Serial Number of Signature Address

Number of _____________________ or thumb- of the
of entry elector Part Elector’s impression person
of name in of the challenged
Roll that part person
Challenged
1 2 3 4 5 6
1.
2.
3.
4.
Name of Name Order of Signature of

Identifier, of Presiding *challenger
if any challenger Officer on receiving
refund of deposit
7 8 9 10
Date_________
Signature of Presiding Officer
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46
FORM 10-A
List of Blind and Infirm Voters
[See Rule 45 (2)]
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No ……………………
Number and name of the Polling Station………………………………………………………………….
Part No. & Full name of Full name of Address of Signature of

Serial No. elector companion companion companion
of elector
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date…………..…. Signature of Presiding Officer.

47
FORM 11
List of Tendered Votes
[See Rule 47 (2)]
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No…………………………………..…
Number and name of Polling Station……………………………………………………………………….
Part Number, Address of Serial number of Serial number Signature or thumb

Serial No. elector tendered Ballot of Ballot paper impression of
and name Paper issued to the person tendering
of elector person who has vote
already voted
1 2 3 4 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
Date………….……. Signature of Presiding Officer.

48
FORM 12
PART I – Ballot Paper Account
(See Rule 50)
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No…………………………….
Number and name of Polling Station……………………………………………………………………….
Serial Numbers Total numbers

1. Ballot papers received
2. Ballot papers not used
3. Ballot papers issued to voters
4. Ballot papers cancelled
5. Number of tendered votes cast at

the polling station
Date…………. Signature of Presiding Officer.

PART II-Result of Counting
________________________________________________________________________________
Name of candidate Number of valid votes cast
1 ……………………………………………. ___________________________________
2 ……………………………………………. ___________________________________
3 ……………………………………………. ___________________________________
4 ……………………………………………. ___________________________________
5 ……………………………………………. ___________________________________
etc……………………………………………… ___________________________________
Rejected ballot papers …………………………………….................................................................
Total No. of ballot papers found in the Ballot boxes …..………………………………………….
Date…………. Signature of the Counting Supervisor ……………….…
Signature of the Returning Officer……………………...

49
FORM 13
Application for Postal Ballot
[See Rule 54(2)]
To
…………………… Ward.
Sir,
I intend to cast my vote by post at the ensuing *election to the Municipal Corporation of
Chandigarh from …………………………………… Ward.
My name has been included at Serial No. ………………… of Part No……………. in

the electoral roll at the following address :-
…………………………………….……………………
………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………….
The ballot paper may be sent to me at the following address :
…………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………..
Yours faithfully,
Place …………………… ………………………..

Date…………………….
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50
FORM 13-A
Election Duty Certificate
[See Rule 54(4)]
Certified that ………………………………… is an elector in the Municipal Corporation of

Chandigarh his electoral roll number being ……………………….. that by reason of his being on
election duty he is unable to vote at the polling station where he is entitled to vote and that he is therefore
hereby authorised to vote at any polling station he may be on duty on the date of poll.
Place………………………. Signature ……………………………..
Date………………………… Returning Officer.

51
FORM 14-A
Declaration by Elector
[See Rule 56 (2) (a)]
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No……….………
(This side is to be used only when the elector signs the declaration himself)
I hereby declare that I am the elector to whom the postal ballot paper bearing serial
number………………….…. has been issued at the above election.
Signature of elector,
Address ………………….
Date ………………... ………………………..……
Attestation of Signature
The above has been signed in my presence by ……………………………..…(elector) who * is personally

known to me/has been identified to my satisfaction by ………………. (identifier) who is personally known to me.
Signature of identifier,
If any …………………….……
Address ………………………..
Signature of Attesting Officer
Designation ………………………
Address …………………………
Date ………………………….
(This side is to be used only when the elector cannot sign himself)
I hereby declare that I am the elector to whom the postal ballot paper bearing serial
number………………………. has been issued at the above election.
Signature of Attesting Officer,

on behalf of elector.
Address of elector………………………….
Date …………….. ………………………………………………
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.
52
Certificate
I hereby certify that-
(1) the above named elector* is personally known to me/has been identified to my satisfaction
by…………………………………………….(identifier) who is personally known to me ;
(2) I am satisfied that the elector* is illiterate/suffers from………………...... (infirmity) and is unable
to record his vote himself or sign his declaration ;
(3) I was requested by him to mark the ballot paper and to sign the above declaration on his behalf ;
and
(4) the ballot paper was marked and the declaration signed by me on his behalf, in his presence and
in accordance with his wishes.
Signature of identifier
If any…………………….
Address…………………..
Signature of Attesting Officer
Designation………………..…
Address………………………
Date……………….…………
* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

53
FORM 14-B
Cover
[See Rule 56 (2) (b)
A. NOT TO BE OPENED BEFORE COUNTING

POSTAL BALLOT PAPER
Serial number of ballot paper………………………………………..
FORM 14-C
Large Cover
[See Rule 56(2) (c)]
Service
unpaid
B. NOT TO BE OPENED BEFORE COUNTING

ELECTION- IMMEDIATE
_____________________________
POSTAL BALLOT PAPER
To
For*……………………….…………ward.

**..........................................................
..…………………………...…………
..…………………………………..
Signature of sender
……………………..
*Returning Officer to insert here the name and number of ward.

**The returning officer to mention here his full postal address.
54
FORM 14-D
Instructions for the Guidance of Electors
[See Rule 56 (2) (d)]
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from ward No.………………….........
The persons whose names are printed on the ballot paper sent herewith are candidates at the above election.
If you desire to vote, you should record your vote(s) in accordance with the directions given in the Part-I below and
then follow the Instructions detailed in part-II:-
PART-I-Directions of Electors
1. The number of Councillors to be elected is one.
2. You have only one vote.
3. You must not have for more than one candidate. If you do, your ballot paper will be rejected.
4. Record the vote by placing clearly a mark opposite the name of the candidate to whom you wish to give
that vote.
5. The mark should be so placed as to indicate clearly and beyond doubt to which candidate you are giving
your vote. If the mark is so placed as to make it doubtful to which candidate you have given the vote, that
vote will be invalid.
6. An elector shall obtain the attestation of his signature on the declaration in Form 14-A by a stipendiary
magistrate or by any gazetted officer.
PART-II –Instructions for Electors

(a) After you have recorded your vote on the ballot paper, place the ballot paper in the small cover marked ‘A’
sent herewith. Close the cover and secure it by seal or otherwise.
(b) You have then to sign the declaration in FORM 14-A also sent herewith, in the presence of a stipendiary
magistrate or any gazetted officer (See direction 6 above).Take the declaration to any officer and sign in his
presence after he has been satisfied about your identity. The officer will attest your signature and return the
declaration to you. You must not show your ballot paper to the attesting officer nor tell him how you have
voted.
(c) *If you are unable to mark the ballot paper and sign the declaration yourself in the manner indicated above
by reason of illiteracy, blindness or other infirmity, you are entitled to have your vote marked and the
declaration on your behalf by an officer mentioned in item (b).Such an officer will at your *request mark
the ballot paper in your presence and in accordance with you wishes. He will also complete the necessary
certificate in this behalf.
(d) After your declaration has been signed and your signature has been attested in accordance with item (b) or
item (c), place the declaration in Form 14-A as also the smaller cover marked ‘A’ containing the ballot
paper, in the large cover marked ‘B’. After closing the large cover send it to the returning officer by post or
by messenger. You have to give your full signature in the space provided on the cover marked ‘B’ but no
postage stamp need be affixed by you.
(e) You must ensure that the cover reaches the returning officer before 10.00 A.M. on the ……………..(date).
( ) Please note that-
(1) If you fail to get your declaration attested or certified in the manner indicated above, your ballot paper will
be rejected; and
(2) If the cover reaches the returning officer after 10.00 A.M on the…………………………….………....
(date) your vote will not be counted.
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55
FORM 15
Appointment of Counting Agents
{See rule 63(2)}
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward no…………
To
I………………………………………..a candidate at the above election, do herby appoint the following

persons as my counting agents to attend the counting of votes at……………………………………
Name of the counting Address of the counting

agent agent
1.
2.
3.
We agree to act as counting agents.
1.
2.
3.
Signature of
Counting Agents,
Place………..
Date…..…….
Declaration of Counting Agents
(To be signed before the Returning Officer)
We hereby declare that at the above election we will not do any thing forbidden by % section 26 of the
Punjab Municipal Corporation Act,1976 extended to Union Territory Of Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal
Corporation Law (Extension To Chandigarh) Act,1994, which we have read/has been read over to us.
Signature of Counting Agents

1. ………………………………
2. ………………………………
3. ………………………………
Signed before me.
Returning Officer
Date…………..
56
%Section 26 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act,1976 as extended to Union Territory of

Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act,1994.
“26. Maintenance of secrecy of voting :- (1) Every officer or clerk, agent or other person who
perform any duty in connection with the recording or counting of votes at an election shall maintain and
aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting and shall not (except for some purpose-authorised by or under
any law) communicate to any person any information calculated to violate such secrecy.
(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.”
57
FORM 16
Revocation of appointment of Counting Agent
{SEE RULE 63(4)}
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No……………..
To
The Returning officer
I…………….a candidate *at the above election hereby revoke the appointment
of……………………..my counting agent,
Signature of candidate
Place……….
Date ……….
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58
FORM 17
Result Sheet
{See Rule 68(2)}
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No………….….
Polling station Number of valid Number of Number of Total votes Remarks

votes cast in tendered for polling
favour of votes station
Serial Name ABC Valid Rejected
No. votes votes
Total No. of votes recorded at polling station
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
No. of votes recorded on postal ballot papers
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
Total votes polled
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
Returning Officer
Place……………….………
Date………………………..
59
FORM 18
Return of Election
(See Rule 74)
Ward No……………….
Sr. Name of candidate Number of valid votes polled

No.
Total number of valid votes polled……………………
Total number of rejected votes……………………..…
Total number of tendered votes……………………….
I declare that ….……………………………(name) of…………………………..…………….(address) has been duly

elected to fill the seat.
Place…………….
Returning officer
Date …………….
60
FORM 19
Certificate of Election
(See Rule 75)
I, Returning Officer for the ……….ward hereby certify that I have on the…………………….
………………………..day of ………………199 ,declared Shri……………………………………
of ……………………………….....to have been duly elected by the said ward to be Councillor and that
in token thereof I have granted to him this certificate of election.
Place……….. Returning Officer,

Date………….. For the ____________________ward.
Seal
A.R.TALWAR,
Secretary,
Finance and Local Government
Chandigarh administration.
61
1
CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Notification
The 16th May, 1995
No.2/3/F1(2)-LG-95/5539 :- With reference to the Chandigarh Administration, Department of Local

Government Notification bearing No. UTFI(4)-94/16620, dated the 24th November, 1994 and in exercise of the
powers conferred under Section 34 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 as extended to the Union
Territory of Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994, the
Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh is pleased to make the following rules, namely:-
RULES
Part-I-Preliminary
1. Short title and commencement :-(1) These rules may be called the Municipal Corporation of
Chandigarh (Preparation of Electoral Rolls) Rules,1995.
(2) They shall come into force at once.
2. Definition and interpretation :-(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires:-
(a) “Act” means the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 as extended to the Union Territory
of Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act,
1994 ;
(b) “Form” means a Form appended to these rules and in respect of any ward include a translation
thereof in a language or any of the languages in which the electoral roll for the ward is
prepared ;
(c) “Order” means an order made by the Election Commission in pursuance of the provision to
sub-rule (1) of rule 2-E of these Rules;
(d) “Qualifying date” means the date specified under rule 2-E of these Rules;
(e) “Registration Officer” means the electoral registration officer of a ward and include an
assistant electoral registration officer thereof;
(f) “Roll” means an electoral roll for a ward;
(g) “Section” means a Section of the Act; and
(h) “Ward” means a municipal ward provided by order made under Section 8 of the Act.
(2) The General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897) shall apply for the interpretation of these rules as it
applied for the interpretation of an act of parliament.
(3) Any expression, which is not *defined in the rules, shall have the same meaning as in the Act.
Part –II Preparation, Revision or Adoption of Electoral Rolls
2-A Electoral roll for every-ward :- For every ward there shall be an electoral roll, which shall be
prepared in accordance with these rules.
2-B Electoral Registration Officer :-(1) The electoral roll for each ward shall be prepared and revised
by an Electoral Registration Officer, who shall be such officer of Government as the Election Commission may, in
consultation with the Government, designate or nominate in this behalf.
(2) To assist the electoral registration officer in the discharge of these functions under sub-rule (1), the
Election Commission may employ such persons as it thinks fit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Corrected vide Corrigendum No.2/3FI(2)-LG-96/8346 dated 21.6.1996
2
2-C. Assistant Electoral Registration Officer :-(1) The Election Commission may appoint one or
more persons as assistant electoral registration officer who shall be such officer of Government to assist any
electoral registration officer in the performance of his functions.
(2) Every assistant electoral registration officer shall subject to the control of the electoral registration
officer be competent to perform all or any of the functions of the electoral registration officer.
2-D. Registration of Electors :- The persons entitled to be registered as electors in the electoral roll of
a Parliamentary constituency in Chandigarh, as relates to the area comprised within a ward, shall be entitled to be so
registered in the electoral roll of that ward and the provisions in this behalf in the Representation of the People Act,
1950 (43 of 1950) shall apply to the registration of electors in the electoral roll of a ward as they apply to the
registration of electors in the electoral roll of a constituency.
Explanation :- In this rule and in sub-rule (1) of 2-E, the expression ‘Parliamentary constituency’ has the
meaning assigned to it under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1950).
2-E. Preparation and revision of electoral rolls :-(1) The electoral roll for each ward shall be
prepared before each general election in the manner prescribed by these rules by reference to the qualifying date and
shall come into force immediately upon its final publication in accordance with these rules:
Provided that if the Election Commission is satisfied that, instead of preparing a fresh electoral
roll of a ward before general election, it would be sufficient to adopt the electoral roll of the parliamentary
constituency for the time being in force as relates to the ward, it may, by order, for reasons to be specified therein,
direct that the electoral roll of the Parliamentary constituency for the time being in force as relates to the ward
*shall, subject to these rules, be the electoral roll of the ward for the general election.
(2) The electoral roll prepared or adopted as the case may be, under sub-rule (1) shall:-
(a) unless otherwise directed by the Election Commission, for reasons to be recorded in writing, be
revised in the manner prescribed by these rules by reference to the qualifying date before each bye
election to fill a casual vacancy in a seat allotted to the ward ; and
(b) be revised in any year in the manner prescribed by these rules by reference to the qualifying date if
such revision has been directed by the Election Commission :
Provided that if the electoral roll is not revised as aforesaid, the validity or continued operation of
the said electoral roll shall not thereby be affected.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2), the Government may, at any time, for reasons to be
recorded in writing, direct a special revision of the electoral roll for any ward or part of a ward in such manner as it
may think fit :
Provided that the electoral roll for the ward as in force at the time of the issue of any such direction
shall continue to be in force until, the completion of the special revision to directed.
Explanation :- In this rule, the expression “Qualifying date” means such date as the Government may, by
order, specify in this behalf.
2-F Correction of entries in electoral roll :– If the registration officer, on an application made to him or
on his own motion, is satisfied after such inquiry as he thinks fit that any entry in the electoral roll for any ward ;
(a) is erroneous or defective in any particular ; or
(b) should be transported to another place in the roll, on the ground that the person concerned has
* changed his place of ordinary residence within such ward ; or
(c) should be deleted on the ground that the person concerned is dead or has ceased to be ordinarily
resident within such ward or is otherwise not entitled to be registered in that ward, the registration
officer shall, subject to such general or special directions, if any, as may be given by the Election
Commission in this behalf, amend, transpose or delete the entry :
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3
Provided that before taking any action on the ground specified in clause (a) or clause (b) or any
action under clause (c) on the ground that the person concerned has ceased to be ordinarily resident within such
ward or that he is otherwise not entitled to be registered in the electoral roll of such ward, the registration officer
shall give the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of the action proposed to be taken
in relation to him.
2-G Inclusion of name in electoral roll :-(1) Any person, whose name is not included in the electoral
roll of a ward, may apply to the registration officer for the inclusion of his name in that roll.
(2) The registration officer shall, if satisfied that the applicant is entitled to be registered in the
electoral roll , direct his name to be included therein:
Provided that if the applicant is registered in the electoral roll of any other ward, the registration officer
shall inform the registration officer of the other ward and that officer shall on receipt of the information, strike off
the applicant’s name from the roll.
(3) No amendment, transposition or deletion of any entry shall be made under rule 2-F and no
direction for the inclusion of a name in the electoral roll of a ward shall be given under this rule after the date of
publication of notification (s) under the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 15 or sub-section (1) of section 16 of
the Act, and before the completion of that election.
2-H Appeal :- An appeal shall lie within the time and the manner as prescribed by these rules to the
Election Commission from any order of the electoral registration officer under rule 2-F or rule 2-G.
2-1 Jurisdiction of civil courts barred :- No Civil Court shall have jurisdiction :-
(a) to entertain or adjudicate upon any question whether any person is or is not entitled to be
registered in an electoral roll for a ward ; or
(b) to question the legality if any action taken by or under the authority of an electoral
registration officer or of any decision given by the Election Commission in the electoral roll
for a ward.
3 Form and language of Roll :- The roll for each ward shall be prepared in such form and in such
language or languages as the Election Commission may direct.
4 Preparation of electoral roll in parts :-
(1) The roll for each ward shall be divided into convenient parts, which shall be numbered
consecutively.
(2) The number of names included in any part of the roll shall not ordinarily exceed 2,000.
5. Order of Names :- (1) The names of electors in each part of the roll shall be arranged, so far as
practicable, according to house numbers.
(2) The names of electors in each part of the roll shall be numbered, so far as practicable,
consecutively with a separate series of numbers beginning with number one.
6. Information to be supplied by occupants of dwelling house :- The registration officer may, for
the purpose of preparing the roll, send letters of request in Form 1 to the occupants of dwelling houses in the ward or
in any part thereof, and every person receiving any such letter shall furnish the information called for therein to the
best of his *knowledge.
7. Access to certain registers :- For the purpose of preparing any roll or deciding any claim or
objection to an entry in a roll, any registration officer and any person employed by him shall have access to any
register of births and deaths and to the admission register of any educational institution, and it shall be the duty of
every person incharge of any such register to give to the said officer or person such information and such extracts
from the said register as he may require.
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4
8. Publication of roll in draft :- As soon as the roll for a ward is ready, the registration officer shall publish it
in draft by making a copy thereof available for inspection and displaying a notice as in Form 2 ;
(a) at his office, if it is within the ward ; and

(b) at such place in the ward as may be specified by him for the purpose, if his office is
outside the ward.
9. Further publicity to the roll and notice :- The Registration Officer shall also:-
(a) make a copy of each separate part of the roll, together with a copy of notice in Form 2,
available for inspection at a specified place accessible to the public in or near the area to
which that part relates ;
(b) give such further publicity to the notice as in Form 2 as he may consider necessary ;and
(c) supply free of cost two copies of each separate part of the roll to every political party for
which a symbol has been exclusively reserved by the Election Commission for the
purposes of elections to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh.
10. Period for lodging claims and objections :-Every claim for the inclusion of a name in the roll
and every objection to an entry therein shall be lodged within a period of 30 days from the date of publication of the
roll in draft under rule 9 or such shorter period as may be fixed by the Election Commission in this behalf :
Provided that the Election Commission may, by notification in the Official Gazette, extend the period in
respect of the Ward as a whole or in respect of any part thereof..
11. Form for claims and objections :- (1) every claim shall be :-
(a) in Form 3 ; and
(b) signed by the person desiring his name to be included in the roll.
(2) Every objection to the inclusion of name in the roll shall be :-
in Form 4 ; and
(a) preferred only by a person whose name is already included in that roll.
(3) Every objection to a particular or particulars in an entry in the roll shall be :-
(a) in Form 5 ; and
(b) preferred only by the person to whom that entry relates.
12. Manner of lodging claims and objections :- Every claim or objection shall :-
(a) either be *presented to the registration officer or to such other officer as may be
designated by him in this behalf, or
(b) be sent by post to the registration officer.
13 Procedure of designated officers :- (1) Every officer designated under rule 12 shall :-
(a) maintain in duplicate a list of * claims in Form 8, a list of objection to the inclusion of
names in Form 9, and a list of objections to particulars in Form 10 : and
(b) keep exhibited one copy of each such list on a notice board in his office.
(2) Where a claim or objection is presented to him, he shall after complying with the requirements of
sub rule (1), forward it with such remarks, if any, as he considers proper to the registration officer.
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5
14. Procedure of Registration Officer :- The registration officer also shall :-

(a) maintain in duplicate the three lists in Form 8,9 and 10 entering thereon the particulars of
every claim of objection as and when it is received by him whether directly under rule 12
or on being forwarded under rule 13 ; and
(b) keep exhibited one copy of each list on a notice board in his office.
15. Rejection of certain claims and objections :- Any claim or objection which is not lodged within
the period or in the Form and manner, herein specified, shall be rejected by the registration officer.
16. Acceptance of claims and objections without inquiry :- If the registration officer is satisfied as
to the validity of any claim or objection, he may allow it without further inquiry after the expiry of one week from
the date on which it is entered in the list exhibited by him under clause (b) of rule 14 :
Provided that where, before any such claim or objection has been allowed, a demand for inquiry
has been made in writing to the registration officer by any person, it shall not be allowed without further inquiry.
17. Notice of hearing claims and objections :- (1) where a claim or objection is not disposed of
under rule 15 or rule 16, the registration officer shall:-
(a) specify in the list exhibited by him under clause (b) of rule 14, the date, time and place of
hearing of the claim or objection: and
(b) give notice of the hearing :-
(i) in the case of a claim to the claimant in Form 11 ;
(ii) in the case of an objection to the inclusion of a name to the objection in Form 12
and to the person objected in Form 13 ; and
(iii) in the case of an objection to a particular or particulars in any entry to the objector
in Form 14.
(2) A notice under this rule may be given either personally or by registered post or by affixing unto
the persons residence or last known residence within the ward.
18. Inquiry into claims and objections :- (1) The registration officer shall hold a summary inquiry
into every claim or objection, in respect of which notice has been given under rule 17, and shall record his decision
thereon.
(2) At the hearing, the claimant or as the case may be, the objector and the person objected to and any
other person who, in the opinion of the registration officer, is likely to be of assistance to him shall be entitled to
appear and be heard.
(3) The registration officer may in his discretion:-

(a) require any claimant, objector or persons objected to appear in person before him ;
(b) require that the evidence tendered by any person shall be given on oath and administer an oath
for the purpose.
19. Inclusion of names inadvertently omitted :- (1) If it appears to the registration officer that owing
to inadvertence or error during preparation, the names of any electors have been left out of the roll and that remedial
action should be taken under this rule, the registration officer shall :-
(a) prepare a list of the names and other details of such electors ;
(b) exhibit on the notice board of his office a copy of the list together with a notice as to the time
and place at which inclusion of these names in the roll will be considered and also publish the list and the notice in
such other manner as he may think fit ; and
(c) after considering any verbal or written objections that may be preferred, decide whether all or
any of the names should be included in the roll.
6
20. Deletion of names of dead electors and of persons who cease to be or are not
ordinarily residents :- If it appears to the registration officer during preparation of the roll that owing to
inadvertence or *error or otherwise, the names of dead persons or of persons cease to be, or are not ordinarily
residents in the ward have been included in the roll and that remedial action should be taken under this rule, the
registration officer shall :-
(a) prepare a list of the names and other details of such electors ;
(b) exhibit on the notice board of his office copy of the list together with a notice as to the
time and place at which the question of deletion of these names from the roll will be
considered, and also publish the list and the notice in such other manner as he may think
fit ; and
(c) after considering any verbal or written objection that may be preferred decide whether all
or any of the names should be deleted from the roll :
Provided that before taking any action under this rule in respect of any person on the ground that he has
ceased to be or is not ordinarily resident in the ward, the registration officer shall make every endeavour to give him
a reasonable opportunity to show cause why action proposed should not be taken in relation to him.
21. Final publication of roll :- (1) The registration officer shall thereafter :-
(a) prepare a list of amendments to carry out his decisions under rule 16,18,19 and 20 and to
correct any clerical or printing error or other inaccuracies subsequently discovered in the
roll; and
(b) publish the roll, together with the list of amendments by making a complete copy thereof
available for inspection and displaying a notice in Form 15 at his office.
(2) on such publication, the roll together with the list of amendments shall be the electoral
roll of the ward.
(3) Where the roll (hereinafter in this sub-rule referred to as the basic roll) together with the list of
amendments, become the electoral roll for a ward under sub-rule (2), the registration officer may, for the
convenience of all concerned, integrate subject to any general or special directions issued by the Election
Commission in this behalf, the list into the basic roll by including the names Electorals in the list together with all
* particulars relating to such elector in the relevant parts of the basic roll itself, so however that no changes shall be
made in the process of such integration in the name of any elector or in any particulars relating to any elector as
given in the list of amendments.
22. Appeals from orders deciding claims and objections :- (1) An appeal shall lie from any
decision of the registration officer under rule 18, rule 19 or rule 20 to such officer of Government as the Election
Commission may designate in this behalf (hereinafter reference to as the *appellate officer) :
Provided that an appeal shall not lie where the person desiring to appeal has not availed himself of
his right to be heard by, or to make representation to the registration officer on the matter which is the subject of
appeal.
(2) Every appeal under sub-rule (1) shall be : -
(a) in the form of a memorandum, *signed by the appellant; and
(b) presented to the appellate officer within a period of fifteen days from the date of
announcement of the decision or * sent to that officer by registered post so as to reach
him within the period.
(3) The presentation of an appeal under this rule shall not have the effect of staying or postponing any
action to be taken by the registration officer under rule 21.
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7
(4) Every decision of the appellate officer shall be final but in so far as it reverses or modifies a
decision of the registration officer, shall take effect only from the date of the decision in appeal.
(5) The registration officer shall cause such amendment to be made in the roll as may be necessary to
give effect to the decision of the appellate officer under this rule.
23. Special provision for preparation of rolls on redelimitation of wards :- (1) If any ward is
delimitated a new in accordance with law and it is necessary urgently to prepare the roll for such ward, the Election
Commission may direct that it shall be prepared :-
(a) by putting together the rolls of such of the existing ward or parts thereof as are comprised
within the new wards ; and
(b) by making appropriate alternations in the arrangements, serial numbering and headings of
the roll so complied.
(3) the roll so prepared shall be published in the manner specified in rule 21 and shall, on
such publication, be the electoral roll for the new ward.
24. Correction of entries and inclusion of names in electoral rolls :- (1) Every application under
rule 2-F or sub-rule (1) of rule 2-G shall be made in duplicate in such one of the Forms 3, 5, 6, or 7 as may be
appropriate.
(2) The registration officer shall immediately on receipt of such application, direct that one
copy thereof be posted in some conspicious place in his office together with a notice
inviting objections to such application within a period of seven days from the date of
such posting.
(3) The registration officer, shall, as soon as may be, after the expiry of the period specified
in sub-rule (2) consider the objections, if any, received by him and dispose of the
application :
Provided that when an application is rejected by the registration officer, he shall record in writing a brief
statement of his reasons for such rejection.
25. Appeal from order under rule 24 :- (1) Every appeal under rule 2-H shall be :-
(a) in the form of a memorandum signed by the *appellant ;
(b) accompanied by a copy of the order appealed from and a fee of five rupees to be :-
(i) paid by means of non-judicial stamps ; or
(ii) paid in such other manner as may be directed by the Election Commission.
(c) presented to the Election Commission within a period of fifteen days from the date of the
order appealed from or sent by registered post so as to reach him within that period.
(2) For the purpose of sub-rule (1) an appeal shall be deemed to have been presented to the Election
Commission, when the memorandum of appeal is delivered by or on behalf of the appellant to the Election
Commission himself or to any other officer appointed by him in this behalf.
26. Revision of rolls :- (1) The roll for every ward shall be revised under sub-rule (2) and sub-rule
(3) of rule 2-E either intensively, or summarily or partly intensively and partly summarily as the Election
Commission may direct.
(2) Where the roll or any part thereof is to be revised intensively, it shall be prepared afresh and rule 3
to 22 shall apply in relation to such revision as they apply in relation to first preparation of roll.
(3) When the roll or any part thereof is to be revised summarily, the registration officer shall cause to
be prepared a list of amendments to the * relevant parts of the roll on the basis of such information as may be readily
available and publish the roll together with the list of amendments in the draft : and the provisions of rule 7 to 22
shall apply in relation to such revision as they apply in relation to the first preparation of a roll :
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8
Provided that for the purpose of summary revision under this sub-rule, the registration officer
may adopt the electoral roll of the parliamentary constituency for the time being in force, as relates to a ward and
publish the roll so adopted in the draft.
(4) Where at any time between the publication in draft of the revised roll under sub-rule (2) of the roll
and list of amendment under sub-rule (3) and the final publication of the same under rule 21, any names have been
directed to be included in the roll for the time being in force under rule 2-G the registration officer shall cause the
names to be included also in the revised roll unless there is in his opinion any valid objection to such inclusion.
27. Adoption of electoral rolls of parliamentary constituency :- Notwithstanding anything
contained in these rules, it shall not be necessary to prepare afresh or revise the rolls of a ward before a general
election to the Municipal Corporation or a bye election thereto from a ward if an order under the provision to rule 2E
is made by the Election Commission directing the adoption of the electoral roll of the parliamentary constituency for
the time being inforce as relates to the ward or wards: and the roll so adopted in pursuance of the said order shall be
deemed to have been prepared afresh or revised and finally published in accordance with the provision of these
rules.
28. Making false declarations :- if any person makes in connection with:-
(a) the preparation, revision or correction of an electoral roll, or
(b) the inclusion, or exclusion of any entry in or from an electoral roll,
a statement or declaration in writing which is false and which he either knows or believes to be
false or does not believe to be true, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
PART-III
PRERSERVATION AND DISPOSAL OF ELECTORAL ROLLS
29. Custody and preservation of *rolls and connected papers :- (1) After the roll for a ward has
been finally published, the following papers shall be kept in the office of the registration officer or at such other
place as the Election Commission may by order specify until the expiration of one year after the completion of the
next intensive revision of that roll :-
(a) one complete copy of the roll ;
(b) statements submitted to the registration officer under rule 6 ;
(c) register of enumeration forms ;
(d) applications in regard to the preparation of the roll ;
(e) manuscript parts prepared by enumerating agencies and used for compiling the roll ;
(f) papers relating to claims and objections ;
(g) papers relating to appeals under rule 22 ; and
(h) applications under Rules 2-F and 2G.
(i) electoral rolls of the Parliamentary Constituency adopted under provisions of rule 2E.
(2) One complete copy of the roll for each ward duly authenticated by the registration officer shall
also be kept in such place and for such period as the Election Commission may specify, and such period shall not be
less than six years from the date of its final publication.
30. Inspection of electoral rolls and connected papers :- Every person shall have the right to inspect
the election * papers referred to in rule 29 and to get attested copies thereof on payment of such fee as may be fixed
by the Election Commission.
31. Disposal of electoral rolls and connected papers :- (1) The papers referred to in rule 29 shall on
the expiry of the period specified there in and subject to such general or special directions, if any, as may be given
by the Election Commission in this behalf, be disposed of in such manner as the Election Commission may direct.
(2) Copies of the electoral for any ward in excess of the number required for deposit under rule 29 and
for any other public purpose shall be disposed of at such time and in such * manner as the Election Commission
may direct and until such disposal shall be made available for sale to the public.
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FORM 1
(See rules 6)
9
Letter of request
Place_____________________
Date _____________________
To
The occupant of
_____________________
Sir/Madam,
The preparation of the electoral roll for the ward of the Municipal Corporation of
Chandigarh in which you are residing has been taken in hand. It will greatly facilitate my work, if you will kindly
complete the statement below after the attached instructions and hand it over to my assistant who will call for it on
or after __________________ (date).
Electoral Registration Officer of the
______________________ward
STATEMENT
Names and particulars of adult citizens ordinarily residing in the above premises.
Name of citizen Particulars Male or Age on

as to father female
or mother or
husband
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
I hereby declare that the facts mentioned above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief
and nothing has been concealed therefrom
Signature_____________________
Date _________________________
10
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Enter the names of all persons who have completed 18 years of age on or before
the_____________________ and who are ordinarily residing in the premises.
2. Only the names of those who are citizens of India should be entered.
3. Enter against Serial No. 1 in the column, the name of Head or other senior member of the family provided he
or she has the qualification mentioned in paragraph 1 and 2 above.
4 “Ordinarily residing” does not mean that a person should be actually in the house when you are filling in the
form. The persons who normally live in the house should be included even though they may be temporarily
absent, e.g., on a journey or on business or in hospital. On the other hand a guest or visitor who normally
lives elsewhere but happens to be in the house at the time should not be included.
5. All ordinarily residents of the house should be included, whether they are members of the family or not.
6. In the case of every male citizen enter in the second column the name of his father or mother proceeded by
the words “Son of”.
7. In the case of every female citizen, enter in the second column:-

(i) the name of the husband preceded by the words, “Wife of:”, if she is married ;
(ii)the name of the late husband preceded by the words “Widow of” , if she be a widow ; and
(iii) the name of the father or mother preceded by the words “daughter of “, if she be unmarried.
8. In the third column, enter the age of the citizen as accurately as possible giving only the number of complete
years and ignoring the months.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Note.-Any person who makes a statement or declaration which is false and which he either knows or believes to be
false, or does not believe to be true is punishable under rule 28 of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh
(Preparation of Electoral Rolls) * Rules, 1995 or under Indian Penal Code, 1860.
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11
FORM 2
(See rule 8)
Notice of publication of electoral roll in draft.
The Elector of the _________________________________Ward.
Notice is hereby given that the electoral roll has been prepared in accordance with the Municipal
Corporation of Chandigarh (Preparation of Electoral Rolls) Rules, 1995, with reference to
___________________________as the qualifying date and a copy thereof is available for inspection at my office
and at ____________________during office hours.
If there be any claim for the inclusion of a name in the roll or any objection to the inclusion of a name of
any objection to particulars in any entry, it should be lodged in Form 3,4 or 5 as may be appropriate.
Every such claim or objection should either be presented in my office or to______________________or

sent by post to the address given below so as to reach me not later than the ……………………….. (date).
Electoral Registration Officer,

Address)___________________
__________________________
Date_______________________
12
Form 3
[See rule II (1) and 24]
Claim application for inclusion of name
To
The Electoral Registration Officer,
______________________Ward.
Sir,
I request that my name be included in the electoral roll for the above ward in part
No._______________________________________ relating to __________________________________________
My name (In full)_________________________________________________________
My Father’s/Mother’s/Husband’s name________________________________________
Particulars of my place of residence are:-
House No. _____________________________________________________
Street No./Mohalla/Road/sector ____________________________________
Village: _______________________________________________________
Post Office: ____________________________________________________
Police Station : _________________________________________________
I hereby declare to the best of my knowledge and belief:
(i) that I am a citizen of India ;
(ii) that my age on the__________________ last was________________________ years and
__________________________months;
(iii) that I am ordinarily resident at the address given above;
(iv) that I have not applied for the inclusion of my name in the electoral roll for any other ward;
(v) that my name has been not included in the electoral roll for this or any other ward;
Or
That my name have been included in the electoral roll for the ____________Ward under the
address mentioned below and, if so, I request that the same may be excluded from that electoral roll:-
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Signature or thumb impression of

Claimant.
Place_________________________
Date___________________________
false or does not believe to be true is punishable under rule *28 of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh
(Preparation of Electoral Rolls) Rules, 1995 or Indian Penal Code, 1860.
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13
FORM 4
[See rule 11(2)]
Objections to inclusion of name
To

________________________________Wards_____________________
Sir,
I object to the inclusion of the name of ____________________________at Serial No.___________ in

part _______________of the electoral roll for the following reason(s):-
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
I hereby declare that the fact mentioned above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
My name has been included in the electoral roll for this ward as follows:-
Name (In full) __________________________________________
Father’s/Mother’s/Husband’ Name __________________________
Serial No. _____________________________________________
Part No._______________________________________________
Signature/thumb impression of
objector.
(Full postal address) ___________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
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false or does not believe to be true is punishable under Rule 28 of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh
(Preparation of Electoral Rolls) Rules, 1995 or Indian Penal Code, 1860.
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14
FORM 5
[See rule 11(3) and 24]
Objections to particulars in an entry

To

_________________________________Ward
Sir,
I submit that the entry relating to myself which appears at Serial No._____________in
part___________________________ of the Electoral roll as _________________is not correct. It should be
corrected to read as follows:-
________________________________________
_________________________________________
Signature or thumb impression of the

elector.
Place_______________________________
Date_______________________________
15
FORM 6
[See rule 24]
Application for transposition of entry in electoral roll.
To

___________________________Ward.
Sir,
I submit that the entry at Serial No._________________________in part

No.__________________________ of the electoral roll for the abovementioned ward relating to * (myself, namely)
________________________________son/wife/daughter of__________________________ should be transposed
to part No.________________________________of the roll, because I have/the said elector has changed my/his
place of ordinary residence to ______________________________which is within the same Ward.
I declare that I am an elector of this ward being enrolled at Serial No._________________in Part
No.______________________of the roll.
____________________________________
Signature/thumb impression
of applicant.
Date_____________________________
Place______________________________
(Full Postal address)________________________
*strike out the inappropriate words.
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(Preparation of Electoral Rolls) Rules, 1995 or the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
16
Form 7
(See rule 24)
Application for deletion of entry in electoral roll
To
___________________(Ward)
Sir,
I submit that the entry at Serial No. _______________ in Part No. __________ of the electoral roll for
the above mentioned ward relating to * Shri/Shrimati/Kumari ________*son/wife/daughter of ______________
requires to be deleted as the said person is * dead /is no longer ordinarily resident in this * locality/is not entitled to
be registered in the electoral roll for the following reason(s) :-
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
I hereby declare that the facts mentioned above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
I declare that I am an elector of this ward being enrolled at Serial No. _________________ in Part No.
___________________ of the roll.
Signature/thumb impression
of Objector
(Full Postal Address__________________________
Date ________________
Place________________
*Strike out the in appropriate words.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Note :- Any person makes a statement or declaration which is false and which he either knows or believes to be
(Preparation of Electoral Rolls) * * Rules, 1995 or the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
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* * Corrected vide Corrigendum No.2/3FI(2)-LG-96/8346 dated 21.6.1996
17
FORM 8
(See rule 13 and 14)
LIST OF CLAIMS
Date of Serial Name of Name of father/ Place of *Date time and

Receipt No. Claimant husband/mother Residence place of hearing
1 2 3 4 5 6
* To be filled only by the registration officer and not by an officer designated under rule 12.
18
FORM 9
LIST OF OBJECTIONS TO INCLUSION OF NAMES
Date of Serial Full name of Particulars of name Reasons in *Date, time and
receipt No objector objected to brief for place of hearing
____________________ objection
Part Serial Name in
No. No. full
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
* To be filled by the registration officer and not by an officer designated under rule 12.
19
FORM 10
LIST OF OBJECTIONS TO PARTICULARS IN ENTRIES
Date of Serial Name in full of Part No. and Nature of *Date time and
Receipt No. Elector Objecting Serial No. of entry objection place of
Hearing
1 2 3 4 5 6
*To be filled by the registration Officer and not by an officer designated under rule 12.
20
FORM 11
[See rule 17 (1) (b) (i)]
Duplicate
(Office copy)
Notice of hearing of a claim
To
(Full name and address of claimant) ----------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------
Reference: Claim No.__________
Take Notice that your claim for the inclusion of your name in the electoral roll will be heard
at________________________________ (Place) at _____________________O’clock on the __________________
day of__________________19_________. You are directed to be present at the hearing with such evidence as you
may like to adduce.
……………………….....…..
Place: ________________ Electoral Registration Officer
Date: _______________
21
FORM 11
[See rule 17 (1) (b)(i)]
Original
(To be served on
The claimant)
To
(Full name and address of claimant) ----------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------
Reference :- Claim No. ________________
Take notice that your claim for the inclusion of your name in the electoral roll will be heard at
________ (Place) at _______ O’ Clock on the _________ day of _______ 19 ______. You are directed to be
present at the hearing with such evidence as you may like to adduce.
.……………………………...
Place: ________________
Electoral Registration Officer

Date: _______________
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF NOTICE

Received notice of the date of hearing …………..
Claimant.
Date …….
Certified that the notice on the claimant has been duly served by me this ________ day of ______ 19 ____
on (Name) ___________ personally/by affixing on residence.
………………..
Place: ________________
Serving Officer
Date: _______________
N.B. – If this notice is served by post, attach the receipt here.

22
FORM 12
[See rule 17 (1) (b)(ii)]
Name of the objector

Duplicate
(Office copy)
To
(Full name and Address of Objector) ______________________________

______________________________
Reference : - Objection No. _________
Take notice that your objection to the inclusion of the name of :-
______________________________
______________________________
will be heard at ____________________(place) at ______O’ Clock on the ______ day of _______ 19___. You are
directed to be present at the hearing with such evidence as you may like to adduce.
………………………..……..
Place: ________________

Date: _______________
23
FORM 12
Name of the objector
Original
(To be served on the objector)
To
(Full name and address of Objector) (_________________

(_________________
Take notice that your objection to the inclusion of the name of :-
____________________________
____________________________
will be heard at ______ (place) at _____ O’ Clock on the ____ day of _______ 19_____. You are
……………….……………..
Place: ________________
Date: _________________
Received notice of the date of hearing

…………..
Objector
Date …….
Certified that the notice on the objector has been duly served by me this ________ day of ______
20 ____ on (Name) ___________ personally/by affixing on residence.
………………..
Place: ________________
Serving Officer
Date: _________________
N.B. – If this notice is served by post, attach the receipt there.

24
FORM 13
Duplicate
(Office copy)
To
(Full name and Address _________________________
of person objected to) _________________________
Take notice that your objection to the inclusion of the name of your name at Serial No.________ in part
___________ of the electoral roll for ________ ward filed by :-
(Full Name & Address _________________________

of objector) _________________________
will be heard at ______ (Place) at _____ O’ Clock on the ____ day of _______ 19_____. You are directed to be
present at the hearing with such evidence as you may like to adduce. The grounds of objection (in brief) are :-
a)
b)
c)
……………………………..
Place :
Date :
25
FORM 13
Original
(To be served on the person objected to) _________________________
_________________________
To
(Full name and _________________________
address of person objected to) _________________________
Take notice that your objection to the inclusion of your name at Serial No.___________ in part
__________ of the electoral roll for ___________ ward filed by:-
(Full Name & Address _________________________

of objector) _________________________
will be heard at ______ (place) at _____ O’ clock on the ____ day of _______ 19_____. You are directed to be
present at the hearing with such evidence as you may like to adduce. The grounds of objection (in brief) are :-
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
…………………………….
Place :
Date :

Date ………………….
..…………………..
Person objected to
Certified that the notice on the person, the entry relating to whose name has been objected, has been duly
served by me this ________ day of _____ on (Name) ___________ personally/by affixing on residence.
Place:
Date:
Serving Officer
N.B. – If this notice is served by post, attach the receipt.

26
FROM 14
[See rule 17 (i) (b)(iii)]

Duplicate
(Office copy)
Notice of hearing of an objection to particulars in an entry.
To
(Full name and address of objector) ……………………………………………………………

……………………………………………..……………………………………………………
Reference: - Objection No……………………………………………..………………………………….………..
Take notice that your objection to particular in the entry relating to you will be heard
at…………….O’clock on the……………….day of ……………………………..19 ………………..You are
Place: ………………..
Date: …………………

27
FORM 14
[See rule 17 (I) (b) (iii)]
Original
(To be served on
The objector)
Notice of hearing of *an objection to particulars *in an entry.
To
(Full name and address of objector)
…………………………….……….
……………………………………..
Reference: - Objection No…………..
Take notice that your objection to certain particular in the entry relating to you will be heard
at…………….(place) at …………………..O’clock on the……………….day of …………………19
………………..You are directed to be present at the hearing with such evidence as you may like to adduce.
………..…………………….
Electoral Registration
Officer.
Place: ……………….
Date………………...

……………..…………..
Objector
Date …………………
Certified that the notice on the objector has been duly served by me this ________ day of ______ 19 ____
on (name) ___________ personally/by affixing on residence.
………………..
Place: ________________
Serving Officer ………
Date: _______________
N.B. – If this notice is served by post, attach the receipt here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28
FORM 15
[See rule 21 (1)]
NOTICE OF FINAL PUBLICATION OF ELECTORAL ROLL
It is hereby notified for public information that the list of amendments to the electoral roll for
the………………………………………ward has been prepared in accordance with the Municipal Corporation of
Chandigarh (Preparation Electoral Rolls). Rules, 1995, and a copy of the said roll together with the said list of
amendments has been published and will be available for inspection at my office.
……….…………………..….
Electoral Registration Officer.
Place…………..…… (Address) ………………………
Date………….…… ………………..……………...…
A.R. TALWAR,
Secretary Finance and Local Government,
Chandigarh Administration.
29
1
STATE ELECTION COMMISSION, U.T., CHANDIGARH,

NEW DELUXE BUILDING, SECTOR-17 E, CHANDIGARH.
No: 1(E)/SEC/CHD/29/2010/476 Dated:25.12.2010
ORDER
In supersession of this Commission Order bearing No. SEC/LAW/CH./F.10/1/60/446, dated the

15th December, 2006 and No. 1(E)/SEC/CHD/29/2009/190 dated 13.07.2009 and in pursuance of the
powers conferred upon me under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution of India read with the
provisions of Section 10 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 as extended to the Union
Territory, Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994
(Act No. 45 of 1994) and provisions of rule 47A of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (Election
of Councillors) Rules, 1995, I, O.P.Kelkar, State Election Commissioner, Union Territory, Chandigarh,
hereby direct that all elections to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, to be held hereafter shall
be conducted by using Electronic Voting Machines at all the polling stations to be set up for election as
per directions and procedure laid down as under:-
DIRECTIONS
1. Definitions:- (i) “Act” means The Punjab Municipal Corporation Act,1976 as extended to
the Union Territory, Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal Corporation
Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994 (Act No. 45 of 1994).
(ii) “Candidate” means contesting candidate.
(iii) “Counting Agent” means a counting agent duly appointed under rule 63
and includes a candidate when present at the counting.
(iv) “Election Commission” means the State Election Commission of Union

Territory of Chandigarh.
(v) “EVM” means an Electronic Voting Machine as defined in rule 47-A

and in its explanation and shall also include the control unit attached
with it.
(vi) “Section” means a Section of the Act.
(vii) “Rule” means Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (Election of

Councillors) Rules, 1995.
(viii) “Clause” means a Clause of this Order.
(ix) “Ward” means a ward of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh.

2
VOTING BY ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES
(A). Design of Electronic Voting Machines:- Every electronic voting machine (hereinafter referred
to as the voting machine)shall have a control unit and a balloting unit and shall be of such
design approved by the Election Commission of India.
(B). Preparation of voting machine by the Returning Officer:- (1) The balloting unit of the
voting machine shall contain such particulars and in such language or languages as the Election
Commission may specify.
(2) The names of the candidates shall be arranged on the balloting unit in the same order in
which they appear in the list of the contesting candidates prepared under rule 20 of the
Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (Election of Councillors) Rules, 1995
(3) If two or more candidates bear the same name, they shall be distinguished by the
addition of their surname, father’s name, occupation or residence or in some other
manner.
(4) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this rule, the Returning Officer shall-
(a) fix the lable containing the names and symbols of the contesting candidates in
the balloting unit and secure that unit with his seal and the seals of such of the
contesting candidates or their election agents present as are desirous of affixing
the same;
(b) set the number of contesting candidates and close the candidate set section in the
control unit and secure it with his seal and the seals of such of the contesting
candidates or their election agents present as are desirous of affixing the same.
(C). Arrangements at the Polling Stations:-(1) Out-side each polling station there shall be
displayed prominently-
(a) a notice specifying the polling area, the electors of which are entitled to vote at
the polling station and, when the polling area has more than one polling station,
the particulars of the electors so entitled; and
(b) a copy of the list of contesting candidates.
(2) At each polling station there shall be set up one or more voting compartments in which
the electors can record their votes free from observation.
(3) The Returning Officer shall provide at each polling station such number of voting
machines so as to accommodate and exhibit required particulars of all the contesting
candidates of a ward and copies of relevant part of the electoral roll and such other
election material as may be necessary for taking the poll. In case more than one
machine are provided at a polling station, they shall be connected with each other so as
to form it a single balloting unit at that polling station.
3
(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-clause (3), the Returning Officer may, with
the previous approval of the Election Commission, provide one common voting
machine for two or more polling stations located in the same premises.
(D). Admission to Polling Station:- The Presiding Officer shall regulate the number of electors to
be admitted at any one time inside the polling station and shall exclude therefrom all persons
other than-
(a) polling officers;

(b) public servants on duty in connection with election;
(c) persons authorized by the Election Commission;
(d) candidates, their election agents and subject to the provisions of rule 22-A, one
polling agent of each candidate;
(e) a child in arms accompanying an elector;
(f) a person accompanying a blind or infirm elector who cannot move without help;
and
(g) such other persons as the Returning Officer or the Presiding Officer may employ
under sub-clause (2) of clause (G) or sub-clause (1) of clause (H).
(E). Preparation of voting machine for poll:- (1) The control unit and balloting unit of every
voting machine used at polling station shall bear a lable marked with:-
(a) the serial number, if any, and the name of the ward;
(b) the serial number and name of the polling station or stations as the case may be;
(c) the serial number of the unit; and
(d) the date of poll.
(2) Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the Presiding Officer shall
demonstrate to the Polling Agents and other persons present that no vote has already
been recorded in the voting machine and it bears the label referred to in sub-clause (4)
of clause (B).
(3) A paper seal shall be used for securing the control unit of the voting machine, and the
Presiding Officer shall affix his own signature on the paper seal and obtain thereon the
signature of such of the Polling Agents present as are desirous of affixing the same.
(4) The Presiding Officer shall thereafter fix the paper seal so signed in the space meant
therefore in the control unit of the voting machine and shall secure and seal the same.
(5) The seal used for securing the control unit shall be fixed in such manner that after the
unit has been sealed, it is not possible to press the “result button” without breaking the
seal.
(6) The control unit shall be closed and secured and placed in full view of the Presiding
Officer and the Polling Agents and the balloting unit placed in the voting compartment.
4
(F). Marked copy of electoral roll:- Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the
Presiding Officer shall also demonstrate to the Polling Agents and others present that the
marked copy of the electoral roll to be used during the poll does not contain any entry other
than that made in pursuance of clause (a) of sub-rule(1) of rule 56.
(G). Facilities for women electors:- (1) Where a polling station is for both men and women
electors, the Presiding Officer may direct that they shall be admitted into the polling station
alternately in separate batches.
(2) The Returning Officer or the Presiding Officer may appoint a woman to serve as an
attendant at any polling station to assist woman electors and also to assist the Presiding
Officer generally in taking the poll in respect of women electors, and in particular to
help frisking any woman elector in case it becomes necessary.
(H). Identification of electors:-(1) The Presiding Officer may employ at the polling station such
person as he thinks fit to help in the identification of the electors or to assist him otherwise in
taking the poll.
(2) As each elector enters the polling station, the Presiding Officer or the Polling Officer
authorized by him in this behalf shall check the elector’s name and other particulars
with the relevant entry in the electoral roll and then call out the serial number, name and
other particulars of the elector.
(3) In deciding the right of a person to cast his vote, the Presiding Officer or the Polling
Officer, as the case may be, shall overlook the clerical or printing errors in an entry in
the electoral roll if he is satisfied that such person is identical with the elector to whom
such entry relates.
(I). Facilities for public servants on election duty:-(1) The provisions of clause (H) shall not
apply to any person who produces at the polling station an election duty certificate in Form
13A and seeks permission to cast his vote at that polling station although it is different from the
one where he is entitled to vote.
(2) On production of such certificate, the Presiding Officer shall:-
(a) obtain thereon, the signature of the person producing it;

(b) have the person’s name and electoral roll number as mentioned in the certificate
entered at the end of the marked copy of the electoral roll; and
(c) permit him to cast his vote in the same manner as for an elector entitled to vote
at that polling station.
(J). Challenging of identity:- (1) Any Polling Agent may challenge the identity of a person
claiming to be a particular elector by first depositing a sum of two rupees in cash with the
Presiding Officer for each such challenge.
5
(2) On such deposit being made, the Presiding Officer shall :-
(a) warn the person challenged of the penalty for impersonation;

(b) read the relevant entry in the electoral roll in full and ask him whether he is the
person referred to in that entry;
(c) enter his name and address in the list of challenged votes in Form 10; and
(d) require him to affix his signature in the said list.
(3) The Presiding Officer shall thereafter hold a summary inquiry into the challenge and
may for that purpose :-
(a) require the challenger to adduce evidence in proof of the challenge and the
person challenged to adduce evidence in proof of his identity;
(b) put to the person challenged any questions necessary for the purpose of
establishing his identity and require him to answer them on oath; and
(c) administer an oath to the person challenged and any other person offering to
give evidence.
(4) If, after the inquiry, the Presiding Officer considers that the challenge has not been
established, he shall allow the person challenged to vote, and if he considers that the
challenge has been established, he shall debar the person challenged from voting and
shall hand him over to the Police for appropriate action under law.
(5) If the Presiding Officer is of the opinion that the challenge is frivolous or has not been
made in good faith, he shall direct that the deposit made under sub-clause(1) be
forfeited to Government and in any other case, return to the challenger at the conclusion
of the inquiry.
(K). Safeguards against personation:- (1) Every elector about whose identity the Presiding Officer
or the Polling Officer, as the case may be, is satisfied, shall allow his left forefinger to be
inspected by the Presiding Officer or Polling Officer and an indelible ink mark to be put on it.
(2) If any elector refuses to allow his left forefinger to be inspected or marked in
accordance with sub-clause (1) or has already such a mark on his left forefinger or does
any act with a view to removing the ink mark, he shall not be allowed to vote.
(3) Any reference in this rule to the left forefinger of an elector shall, in the case where the
elector has his left forefinger missing, be construed as a reference to any other finger of
his left hand, and shall, in the case where all the fingers of his left hand are missing, be
construed as a reference to the forefinger or any other finger of his right hand, and shall,
in the case where all his fingers of both the hands are missing, be construed as a
reference to such extremity of his left or right arm as he possesses.
(L). Procedure for voting by voting machines:-(1) Before permitting an elector to vote, the
Polling Officer shall :-
(a) record the electoral roll number of the elector as entered in the marked copy of
the electoral roll in a register of voters in Form 11A.
6
(b) obtain the signature or the thumb impression of the elector on the said register of
voters; and
(c) mark the name of the elector in the marked copy of the electoral roll to indicate
that he has been allowed to vote ;
Provided that no elector shall be allowed to vote unless he has put his signature or thumb
impression on the register of voters.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-clause (b) of clause (L) it shall be necessary
for any Presiding Officer or Polling Officer or any other officer to attest the thumb
impression of the elector on the register of voters.
(M). Maintenance of secrecy of voting by electors within the polling station and voting
procedures:- (1) Every elector who has been permitted to vote under clause (L) shall maintain
secrecy of voting within the polling station and for that purpose observe the voting procedure
hereinafter laid down.
(2) Immediately on being permitted to vote, the elector shall proceed to the Presiding
Officer or the Polling Officer in-charge of the control unit of the voting machine who
shall, by pressing the appropriate button on the control unit, activate the balloting unit
for recording of elector’s vote.
(3) The elector shall thereafter forthwith :-

(a) proceed to the voting compartment ;
(b) record his vote by pressing the button on the balloting unit against the name and
symbol of the candidate for whom he intends to vote ; and
(c) come out of the voting compartment and leave the polling station.
(4) Every elector shall vote without undue delay.
(5) No elector shall be allowed to enter the voting compartment when another elector
is inside it.
(6) If an elector who has been permitted to vote under clause (L) or clause (P) refuses after
warning given by the Presiding Officer to observe the procedure laid down in the said
rules, the Presiding Officer or a Polling Officer under the direction of the Presiding
Officer shall not allow such elector to vote.
(7) Where an elector is not allowed to vote under sub-clause(6), a remark to the effect that
voting procedure has been violated shall be made against the elector’s name in the
register of voters in Form 11 A by the Presiding Officer under his signatures.
(N). Recording of votes of blind or infirm electors:-(1) If the Presiding Officer is satisfied that
owing to blindness or other physical infirmities an elector is unable to recognize the symbol on
the balloting unit of the voting machine or unable to record his vote by pressing the appropriate
button thereon without assistance, the Presiding Officer shall permit the elector to take with
7
him a companion of not less than eighteen years of age to the voting compartment for recording
the vote on his behalf and in accordance with his wishes;
Provided that no person shall be permitted to act as the companion of more than one
elector at any polling station on the same day;
Provided further that before any person is permitted to act as the companion of an
elector on any day under this clause, that person shall be required to declare that he will keep
secret the vote recorded by him on behalf of the elector and that he has not already acted as the
companion of any other elector at any other polling station on that day.
(2) The Presiding Officer shall keep a record in Form 10A of all cases under this clause.
(O). Elector deciding not to vote:- If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly
entered in the register of voters in Form 11A and has put his signature or thumb impression
thereon as required under sub-clause (1) of clause (L), decides not to record his vote, a remark
to the effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 11A by the Presiding Officer and the
signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.
(P). Tendered votes:-(1) If a person representing himself to be a particular elector seeks to vote
after another person has already voted as such elector, he shall, on satisfactorily answering such
questions relating to his identity as the Presiding Officer may ask, be, instead of being allowed
to vote through the balloting unit, supplied with a tendered ballot paper which shall be of such
design, and the particulars of which shall be in such language or languages as the Election
Commission may specify.
(2) Every such elector shall, before being supplied with tendered ballot paper, write his
name against the entry relating to him in Form 11B.
(3) On receiving the ballot paper, he shall forthwith :-
(a) proceed to the voting compartment;

(b) record there his vote on the ballot paper by placing a cross mark ‘X’ with the
instrument or article supplied for the purpose on or near the symbol of the
candidate for whom he intends to vote;
(c) fold the ballot paper so as to conceal his vote;
(d) show to the Presiding Officer, if required, the distinguishing mark on the ballot
paper;
(e) give it to the Presiding Officer who shall place it in a cover specially kept for the
purpose ; and
(f) leave the polling station.
(4) If, owing to blindness or physical infirmities, such elector is unable to record his vote
without assistance, the Presiding Officer shall permit him to take with him a
companion, subject to the same condition and after following the same procedure as laid
down in clause (N) for recording the vote in accordance with his wishes.
8
(Q). Presiding Officer’s entry in the voting compartment during poll:-(1) The Presiding Officer
may, whenever he considers it necessary to do so, enter the voting compartment during poll and
take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the balloting unit is not tampered or
interfered with in any way.
(2) If the Presiding Officer has reason to suspect that an elector who has entered the voting
compartment is tampering or otherwise interfering with the balloting unit or has
remained inside the voting compartment for unduly long period, he shall enter the
voting compartment and take such steps as may be necessary to ensure the smooth and
orderly progress of the poll.
(3) Whenever the Presiding Officer enters the voting compartment under this clause, he
shall permit the Polling Agents present to accompany him if they so desire.
(R). Closing of poll:-(1) The Presiding Officer shall close the polling station at the hour fixed in
that behalf under rule 29 and shall not thereafter admit any elector into the polling station;
Provided that all electors present at the polling station before it is closed shall be allowed to
cast their votes.
(2) If any question arises whether an elector was present at the polling station before it was
closed, it shall be decided by the Presiding Officer and his decision shall be final.
(S). Account of votes recorded:- The Presiding Officer shall, at the close of the poll, prepare an
account of votes recorded in Form 11C and enclose it in a separate cover with the words
“Account of Votes Recorded” superscribed thereon.
(T). Sealing of voting machine after poll:-(1) As soon as practicable after the closing of the poll,
the Presiding Officer shall close the control unit to ensure that no further votes can be recorded
and shall detach the balloting unit from the control unit.
(2) The control unit and the balloting unit shall thereafter be sealed and secured separately
in such manner as the Election Commission may direct and the seal used for securing
them shall be so affixed that it will not be possible to open the units without breaking
the seals.
(3) The Polling Agents present at the polling station, who desire to affix their seals, shall
also be permitted to do so.
(U). Sealing of other packets:-(1) The Presiding Officer shall, then, make into separate packets;-
(a) the marked copy of the electoral roll ;
(b) the register of voters in Form 11A;
(c) the cover containing the tendered ballot papers and the list in Form 11B ;
(d) the list of challenged votes in Form 10 ;
(e) the unused ballot papers kept for issue as tendered ballot paper ; and
(f) any other papers directed by the Election Commission to be kept in a sealed
packet.
9
(2) Each such packet shall be sealed with the seal of the Presiding Officer and with the seal
either of the candidate or of his Election Agent or of his Polling Agent who may be
present at the polling station and may desire to affix his seal thereon.
(V). Transmission of voting machines, etc., to the Returning Officer:-(1) The Presiding Officer
shall then deliver or cause to be delivered to the Returning Officer, at such place as the
Returning Officer may direct-
(a) the voting machine ;

(b) the account of votes recorded in Form 11C ;
(c) the sealed packets referred to in clause U ; and
(d) all other papers used at the poll.
(2) the Returning Officer shall make adequate arrangements for the safe transport of the
voting machine, packets and other papers for the safe custody until the commencement
of the counting of votes.
(W). Procedure of adjournment of poll:-(1) If the poll at any polling station is adjourned under
rule 30, the provisions of clauses S to V shall, as far as practicable, apply as if the poll was
closed at the hour fixed in that behalf under rule 29.
(2) When an adjourned poll is recommended under rule 30, the electors who have already
voted at the poll so adjourned shall not be allowed to vote again.
(3) The Returning Officer shall provide the Presiding Officer of the polling station at which
such adjourned poll is held, with the sealed packets containing the marked copy of the
electoral roll, register of voters in Form 11A and a new voting machine or machines, as
the case may be.
(4) The Presiding Officer shall open the sealed packet in the presence of the Polling Agents
present and use the marked copy of the electoral roll for marking the names of the
electors who are allowed to vote at the adjourned poll.
(5) The provisions of clauses A to V shall apply in relation to the conduct of an adjourned
poll before it was so adjourned.
(X). Closing of voting machine in case of booth capturing:- Where the Presiding Officer is of
opinion that booth capturing is taking place at a polling station or at a place fixed for the poll,
he shall immediately close the control unit of the voting machine to ensure that no further votes
can be recorded and shall detach the balloting unit from the control unit.
(Y). Scrutiny and inspection of voting machines:-(1) The Returning Officer may have the control
units of the voting machines used at more than one polling stations taken up for scrutiny and
inspection and votes recorded in such units counted simultaneously.
(2) Before the votes recorded in any control unit of a voting machine are counted under
sub-clause (1), the candidate or his Counting Agent present at the counting table shall
10
be allowed to inspect the paper seal and such other vital seals as might have been
affixed on the unit and to satisfy themselves that the seals are intact.
(3) The Returning Officer shall satisfy himself that none of the voting machines has in fact
been tampered with.
(4) If the Returning Officer is satisfied that any voting machine has in fact been tampered
with, he shall not count the votes recorded in that machine and shall follow the
procedure laid down in Rules 30, 31, 31(A) and 70 as may be applicable in respect of
the polling station where that machine was used.
(Z). Counting of votes when E.V. Ms. are used:-(1) After the Returning Officer is satisfied that a
voting machine has in fact not been tampered with, he shall have the votes recorded therein
counted by pressing the appropriate button marked “Result” provided in the control unit
whereby the total votes polled and votes polled by each candidate shall be displayed in respect
of each such candidate on the display panel provided for the purpose in the unit.
(2) As the votes polled by each candidate are displayed on the control unit, the Returning
Officer shall have:-
(a) the number of such votes recorded separately in respect of each candidate in
part-II on Form 11C ;
(b) part-II of form 11C completed in other respects and signed by the counting
supervisor and also by the candidates or their counting agents present ; and
(c) corresponding entries made in a result sheet in Form 17 and the particulars so
entered in the result sheet announced.
(3) The Returning Officer shall store the above “data” in ‘digital form’ and preserve the
C.Ds in sealed cover after affixing his seal and keep them in safe custody.
(ZA). Sealing of voting machines:-(1) After the result of voting recorded in a control unit has been
ascertained candidate-wise and entered in Form 17 under rule 68, the Returning Officer shall
reseal the unit with his seal and the seals of such of the candidates or their election agents as are
present who may desire to affix their seals thereon so however that the result of voting recorded
in the unit is not obliterated and the unit retains the memory of such result.
(2) The control unit so sealed shall be kept in a specially prepared box on which the
Returning Officer shall record the following particulars, namely :-
(a) the name of the Ward ;

(b) the particulars of polling station or stations where the control unit has been used ;
(c) serial number of the control unit ;
(d) date of poll ; and
(e) date of counting
(ii) the provisions of rules 69, 70, 72, 74 and 75 shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to
voting by voting machines and any references in those rules to :-
11
(a) ballot paper shall be construed as including a reference to such voting machine;
(ZB). Destruction, loss, etc., of ballot papers at the time of counting:-(1) If at any time before the
counting of votes is completed, any ballot papers used at a polling station or at a place fixed for
the poll or voting machine or machines as the case may be, used at a polling station or at a
place fixed for the poll, are unlawfully taken out of the custody of the Returning Officer or are
accidentally or intentionally destroyed or lost or are damaged or tampered with, to such an
extent that the result of the poll at that polling station or place cannot be ascertained, the
Returning Officer shall forthwith report the matter to the Election Commission.
(2) Thereupon, the Election Commission shall, after taking all material circumstances into
account, either :-
(a) direct that the counting of votes shall be stopped, declare the poll at that polling
station or place to be void, appoint a day, and fix the hours, for taking a fresh
poll at that polling station or place and notify the date so appointed and hours so
fixed in such manner as it may deem fit, or
(b) if satisfied that the result of a fresh poll at that polling station or place will not,
in any way, affect the result of the election, issue such directions to the Retuning
Officer as it may deem proper for the resumption and completion of the
counting and for the further conduct and completion of the election in relation to
which the votes have been counted.
(3) The provisions of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, as extended to the
Union Territory, Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to
Chandigarh) Act, 1994 (Act No. 45 of 1994) and any rules or orders made there under
shall apply to every such fresh poll as they apply to the original poll.
(ZC). Counting of votes where machines have been used:- In relation to counting of votes at a
polling station, where voting machine has been used-
The provisions of rules 61 to 65 and in lieu of clauses (Y), (Z) & (ZA) of this order shall
respectively apply.
(ZD). Custody of ballot boxes Voting Machines and papers relating to election:-(1) All ballot
boxes and Voting Machines used at an election shall be kept in such custody as the Election
Commissioner may direct. The Returning Officer shall keep in safe custody, subject to any
general or special direction of the Election Commissioner, the packets of unused ballot papers,
the packets of used ballot papers whether valid, tendered or rejected, and all other papers
relating to the election.
(ZE). Production and Inspection of election papers:-(1) While in the custody of the Returning
Officer:-
(a) the packets of unused ballot papers;
(b) the packets of used ballot papers whether valid, tendered or rejected;
(c) the packets of the marked copy of the electoral rolls;
12
(d) the packets of the declarations by electors and the attestation of their signatures;
(e) the voting machines viz. control units and balloting units both as used at the
polling stations in a ward ; and
(f) the register of voters in Form 11A in respect of all polling stations in a ward
where voting machines have been used;
shall not be opened and their contents shall not be inspected by, or produced before, any
person or authority except under order of a competent Court/ Prescribed Authority..
(2) All other papers relating to the election shall be open to public inspection subject to
such conditions and to the payment of such fee, if any, as the Election Commissioner
may direct.
(3) copies of the returns prepared at an election by the Returning Officer under rule 74 shall
be furnished to any person by the Returning Officer on payment of a fee of Five Rupees
for each such copy. The fee so prescribed shall be paid by means of court-fee stamps.
(ZF). Disposal of election paper etc:- Subject to any direction to the contrary given by a competent
court, the packets and other papers and all data, results and other information recorded and
stored in the memory of the voting machines referred to in clause (ZF) shall be retained for a
period of six months from the date of publication of the results of election under Section 17 and
shall thereafter be destroyed or erased, as the case may be ;
Provided that if an election petition is filed before the ‘Prescribed Authority’ under
Section 18 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, as extended to the Union Territory,
Chandigarh by the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994,
the packets, other papers and all data and information stored in the voting machines referred to
in this Order shall not be destroyed or erased, as the case may be, until the petition is finally
disposed of.
Sd/-
(O.P. Kelkar)
State Election Commissioner
Endst. No. : 1(E)/SEC/CHD/29/2010/477 Dated:-25.12.2010
A copy is forwarded to the following for information and necessary action:-

1. Secretary Local Government, Chandigarh Administration.
2. Deputy Commissioner-cum- Prescribed Authority, U.T., Chandigarh.
3. All Observers.
4. All Returning Officers.
5. All Sector Officers.
Sd/
(Kuldeep Pakad)
Secretary
13
FORM 11 A
[See Clause (L), (M), (O), (U), (W) & (2E) of Order]
REGISTER OF VOTERS
ELECTION TO THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF CHANDIGARH
FROM WARD NO.________________
NO. AND NAME OF POLLING STATION……………………………………………………………
PART NO. OF ELECTORAL ROLL…………………………………………………………………...

14
Sl. No. Sl. No. of elector in the Signature/Thumb Impression of Elector Remarks
Electoral Roll
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Date:-
Signature of Presiding Officer

15
FORM 11-B
[See Rule 47 A and clause (P) of order issued there under]
LIST OF TENDERED VOTES
Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No _______________________

Name of Polling Station ___________________________________________________________
Part No. of Electoral Roll __________________________________________________________
Sr. Name of Elector Sl. No. of Sl. No. in Register Signature/

No. elector in the of voters (Form 11 A) Thumb
Electoral of the person who impression of
Roll has already voted in elector
place of elector
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Place __________________
Date __________________ Signature of Presiding Officer
16
Form 11-C
(See Rule 47 A and clause (S) & (V) of Order issued there under)
PART I – ACCOUNT OF VOTES RECORDED
Election to Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh from Ward No. __________________________
No. and Name of Polling Station ___________________________________________________
“Identification No. of Voting Machine used at the Polling Station :-
Control Units;
Balloting Units;
1. Total No. of electors assigned to the Polling Station. _________________

2. Total No. of voters as entered in the Register for
Voters (Form 11-A). _________________
3. No. of voters deciding not to record votes under Clause (O)
of the Order issued under Rule 47 A. _________________
4. No. of voters not allowed to vote under Clause (M)
of the Order issued under Rule 47 A. _________________
5. Total No. of votes recorded as per voting machine. _________________
6. Whether the total No. of votes as shown against item 5
tallies with the total No. of votes as shown against item _________________
2 minus Nos. of voters deciding not to record votes as
against item 3 minus No. of Voters as against item 4 (2-3-4)
or any discrepancy noticed.
7. No. of voters to whom tendered ballot papers were issued _________________
under Clause (P) of the Order issued under Rule 47 A.
8. No. of tendered Ballot Papers. Sr.No

From To
(a) received for use

(b) issued to electors
(c) not used and returned
9. Account of papers seals Sr.No
From To
Signature of Polling Agents
1. Serial Numbers of paper seals supplied 1. ______________________
From ___________________ To ___________________ 2. ______________________
2. Total Numbers supplied 3. ______________________

3. Number of paper seals used 4. ______________________
5. ______________________
4. Number of unused paper seals returned to Returning
6. ______________________
Officer (Deduct item 3 from item 2)
5. Serial number of damaged paper seals, if any.
Date ________________
Place ________________
Signature of Presiding officer
Polling Station No __________

MC Election Rules

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Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (Preparation of Electoral Rolls) Rules, 1995

Clauses of Rules Particulars Page No.

1. Short title and commencement. .. 01

18. Inquiry into claims and objections. .. 05

PRERSERVATION AND DISPOSAL OF ELECTORAL ROLLS

29. Custody and preservation of rolls and connected papers. .. 08

Clauses of Rules Particulars Page No.

1. Short title and commencement. .. 01

PART II - SUPERINTENDENCE OF ELECTIONS AND

3. Superintendence and control of election. .. 02

22. Appointment of Election Agent. .. 09

45. Recording of votes of blind or infirm electors. .. 16

PART-IV - DISPUTE REGARDING ELECTIONS

2. Interpretation :- (1) In these rules, unless the context *otherwise requires :-

(e) ’Electoral roll number’ of a person means:-

(g) ‘section’ means a section of the Act ;

(2) for the purposes of these rules :-

3. Superintendence and control of election :- The Election Commission shall supervise,

(a) designate or nominate a returning officer who shall be an officer of Government ;

Provided that every such person shall be an officer of Government;

10-A On deputation :- Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer, Presiding Officer,

(e) the date before which the election shall be completed

(3) A failure to complete, or a defect in completing the declaration as to symbols in a

by such candidate in person or by his proposer.

(a) allot a different symbol to each contesting candidate in conformity, as far as

22. Appointment of Election Agent :-

25. Attendance of a candidates on polling stations and performance by him of the

CHAPTER III - GENERAL PROCEDURE AT ELECTIONS

CHAPTER IV -- THE POLL

30. Adjournment of polling emergencies : – (1) If at an election the proceedings at any

31-A Adjournment of poll or countermanding of election on the ground of booth

(b) “Polling agent” in relation to a polling station means a polling agent of a

(2) On such deposit being made, the presiding officer shall :–

(a) warn the person challenged of the penalty for personation ;

(3) Where a poll is taken simultaneously in a parliamentary constituency and a ward, an

(2) The ballot box shall, thereafter, be sealed and secured.

(a) the ballot boxes referred to in rule 49;

CHAPTER VI -- POSTAL BALLOT

(5) On production of such certificate the presiding officer shall:-

(a) obtain thereon the signatures of the person producing it;

(a) a declaration in Form 14-A.

58. Assistance to illiterate electors :- (1) If an *elector is unable through illiteracy,

CHAPTET VII -- COUNTING OF VOTES

61. Definitions :- In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:-

(a) such persons as he may appoint to assist him in the counting ;

(2) The returning officer shall reject a ballot papers:-

(a) the name of the ward;

(8) A postal ballot paper shall be rejected :

(c) If it is spurious ballot paper ; or

75. Grant of certificate of election to returned candidates - As soon as may be after a

(a) the packets of unused ballot papers ;

DISPUTE REGARDING ELECTIONS

79. Definition :- In this part, unless the context otherwise requires:-

CHAPTER II -- ELECTION PETITIONS

(a) discovery and inspection ;

(e) granting adjournments ;

(b) if he appears in pursuance of the notice, he has been *given an opportunity of

(1) The obtaining or procuring or abetting or attempting to obtain or procure by a candidate

(a) in the service of the Corporation ; or

97. Submission of return of election expenses :- Every contesting candidate at an election

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ELECTION

[See Rule 12)]

Election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh

This notice was delivered to me at my office at (hours) on ________(date)

I ____ of a candidate at the above election do hereby