51

*THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS RULES, 19611
PART I

Preliminary
1. Short title and commencement.—(1) These rules may be called the Conduct of Elections Rules,

1961.

(2) They shall come into force on the 25th day of April, 1961:

Provided that these rules shall not apply to or in relation to any election called but not completed
before that date and the Representation of the People (Conduct of Elections and Election Petitions)
Rules, 1956, shall continue to apply to or in relation to any such election as if these rules had not been
made.

2.

Interpretation.—(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “Act” means the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951);

(b) “ballot box” includes any box, bag or other receptacle used for the insertion of ballot paper by
voters;

2[(ba) “counterfoil” means the counterfoil attached to a ballot paper printed under the
provisions of these rules;]

3* * * * *

(c) “election by assembly members” means an election to the Council of States by the elected members of
the Legislative Assembly of a State by the members of the electoral college of a Union territory, or an election
to the Legislative Council of a State by the members of the Legislative Assembly of that State;

(d) “elector”, in relation to an election by assembly members, means any person entitled to vote at that
election;

(e) “electoral roll”, in relation to an election by assembly members, means the list
maintained under section 152 by the returning officer for that election;

(f) “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 name of the constituency to which the electoral roll relates;

4[(g) “Form” means a Form appended to these rules and in respect of any election in a State,
includes a translation thereof in any of the languages used for official purposes of the State;

________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Rules recently amended vide Notifn. No. S.O. 272(E), dated the 27th February, 2004.

1. Published with the Ministry of Law Notifn. No. S.O. 859, dated the 15th April, 1961, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II,
   

   Section 3(ii), Page 419.
   

2. Ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971.
   

3. Ins.
   by Notifn. No. S.O. 3875, dated the 15th December, 1966 and omitted by
   Notifn. No. S.O. 1294(E), dated the 11th November, 2003.
   

4. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 3450, dated the 9th November, 1966, for cl. (g).
   

52

Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
(Statutory Rules and Order)

1[(gg) “marked copy of the electoral roll” means the copy of the electoral roll set apart for the purpose
of marking the names of electors to whom ballot papers are issued at an election;]

(h) “polling station”, in relation to an election by assembly members, means the place fixed under
section 29 for taking the poll at that election;

(i) “presiding officer” includes—
(i) any polling officer performing any of the functions of a presiding officer under sub-section (2)

or sub-section (3) of section 26; and
(ii) any returning officer while presiding over an election under sub-section (2) of section 29;

(j) “returning officer” includes any assistant returning officer performing any function he is authorised
to perform under sub-section (2) of section 22;

(k) “section” means a section of the Act.
(2) For the purposes of the Act or these rules, 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,
and

(b) such officer on being satisfied as to his identity has attested the mark as being the mark of that person.

(3) Any requirement under these rules that a notification, order, declaration, notice or list issued or made by
any authority shall be published in the Official Gazette shall, unless otherwise expressly provided in these rules, be
construed as a requirement that it shall be published in the Gazette of India if it relates to an election to, or
membership of, either House of Parliament or an electoral college, and in the Official Gazette of the State, if it relates
to an election to, or membership of, the House or either House of the State Legislature.

(4) The General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897) shall apply for the interpretation of these rules as it applies
for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.

PART II

General provisions

3. Public notice of intended election.—The public notice of an intended election referred to in section 31
shall be in Form 1 and shall, subject to any directions of the Election Commission, be published in such manner
as the returning officer thinks fit.

4. Nomination paper.—Every nomination paper presented under sub-section (1) of section 33 shall be
completed in such one of the Forms 2A to 2E as may be appropriate:

Provided that a failure to complete or defect in completing, the declaration as to symbols in a nomination
paper in Form 2A or Form 2B shall not be deemed to be a defect of a substantial character within the meaning of sub-
section (4) of section 36.

2[4A. Form of affidavit to be filed at the time of delivering nomination paper.—The candidate or his
proposer, as the case may be, shall, at the time of delivering to the returning officer the nomination paper under sub-
section (1) of section 33 of the Act, also deliver to him an affidavit sworn by the candidate before a Magistrate of the
first class or a Notary in Form 26.]
________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971, for cl.(gg).
2. Ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 935 (E), dated the 8th September, 2002.

53

Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
(Statutory Rules and Order)

5. Symbols for elections in parliamentary and assembly constituencies.–(1) The Election
Commission shall, by notification in the Gazette of India, and in the Official Gazette of each State, specify the
symbols that may be chosen by candidates at elections in parliamentary or assembly constituencies and the restrictions
to which their choice shall be subject.

(2) 1[Subject to any general or special direction issued by the Election Commission either under sub-rule
(4) or sub-rule (5) of rule 10, 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 10 even if that nomination paper has been
rejected.

6. Authentication of certificates issued by the Election Commission.—A certificate issued by the
Election Commission under 2[sub-section (2) of section 9] or under sub-section (3) of section 33 shall be signed by
the Secretary to the Election Commission and shall bear its official seal.

7. Notice of nominations.—The notice of nominations under section 35 shall be in such one of the Forms 3A to
3C as may be appropriate.

3[8. List of validly nominated candidates.—(1) The list of validly nominated candidates referred to in sub-
section (8) of section 36 shall be in Form 4.

(2) The name of every such candidate shall be shown in said list as it appears in his nomination paper:

Provided that if a candidate considers that his name is incorrectly spelt or is otherwise incorrectly shown in
his nomination paper or is different from the name by which he is popularly known, he may, at any time before the list
of contesting candidates is prepared furnish in writing to the returning officer the proper form and spelling of his name
and the returning officer shall, on being satisfied as to the genuineness of the request, make the necessary
correction or alteration in the list in Form 4 and adopt that form and spelling in the list of contesting candidates.]

9. Notice of withdrawal of candidature.—(1) A notice of withdrawal of candidature under sub-section (1) of
section 37 shall be in Form 5 and shall contain the particulars set out therein; and on receipt of such notice, the
returning officer shall note thereon the date and time at which it was delivered.

(2) The notice under sub-section (3) of section 37 shall be in Form 6.

10. Preparation of list of contesting candidates.—(1) The list of contesting candidates referred to in sub-
section (1) of section 38 shall be in Form 7A or Form 7B as may be appropriate and shall contain the particulars set
out therein and shall be prepared in such language or languages as the Election Commission may direct.

4* * * * *

(3) If the list is prepared in more languages than one, the names of candidates therein shall be arranged
alphabetically according to the script of such one of those languages as the Election Commission may direct.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971, for certain words.
2. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 1542, dated the 25th April, 1967, for certain words.
3. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 3450, dated the 9th November, 1966, for rule 8.

4. Sub-rule (2) omitted by Notifn. No. S.O. 3662, dated the 12th October, 1964.

54

Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
(Statutory Rules and Order)

(4) At an election in a parliamentary or assembly constituency, 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.

(5) 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 it thinks fit.

(6) Every candidate or his election agent shall forthwith be informed of the symbol allotted to the candidate
and be supplied with a specimen thereof by the returning officer.

1[11. Publication of list of contesting candidates and declaration of result in uncontested election.—(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 where the number of contesting candidates is equal to, or less
than, the number of seats to be filled, he shall, immediately after such affixation, declare under sub-section (2) or as
the case may be, sub-section (3) of section 53 the result of the election in such one of the Forms 21 to 21B as may be
appropriate and send signed copies of the declaration to the appropriate authority, the Election Commission and the
chief electoral officer.

(2) If a poll becomes necessary under sub-section (1) of section 53, the returning officer shall supply a copy of
the list of contesting candidates to each such candidate or his election agent, and then shall also publish the list in
the Official Gazette.]

12. Appointment of election agent.—2[(1) Any appointment of an election agent under section 40 shall be
made in Form 8 and the notice of such appointment shall be given by forwarding the same in duplicate 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.]

(2) The revocation of the appointment of an election agent under sub-section (1) of section 42 shall be made
in Form 9.

13. Appointment of polling agents.—(1) The number of polling agents that may be appointed under section
46 shall be one agent and two relief agents.

(2) Every such appointment shall be made in Form 10 and shall be made over to the polling agent for
production at the polling station or the place fixed for the poll, as the case may be.

(3) No polling agent shall be admitted into the polling station or the place fixed for the poll unless he has
delivered to the presiding officer the instrument of his appointment under sub-rule (2) after duly completing and
signing before the presiding officer the declaration contained therein.

14. Revocation of the appointment of a polling agent.—(1) The revocation of the appointment of a
polling agent under sub-section (1) of section 48 shall be made in Form 11 and lodged with the presiding officer.

(2) In the event of any such revocation the candidate or his election agent may, at any time before the poll is
closed, make a fresh appointment in the manner specified in rule 13 and the provisions of that rule shall apply to
every such agent.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 4542, dated the 20th December, 1968 (w.e.f. 1-1-1969) for rule 11.
2. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 3450, dated the 9th November, 1966, for sub-rule (1).

55

Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
(Statutory Rules and Order)

15. Publication of the hours fixed for polling.—The hours fixed for polling under section 56 shall be
published by notification in the Official Gazette.

16. Voting normally to be in person.—Save as hereinafter provided, all electors voting at an election shall
do so in person at the polling station provided for them under section 25 or, as the case may be, at the place of polling
fixed under section 29.

PART III

Postal ballot

17. Definitions.–In this Part,—
1[(a) “service voter'’ means any person specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of section 60, but does not

include “classified service voter” defined in rule 27M;]

(b) “special voter'’ means any person holding an office to which the provisions of sub-section (4) of section
20 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1950) are declared to apply or the wife of such person,
if he or she has been registered as an elector by virtue of a statement made under sub-section (5) of the said
section;

(c) “voter on election duty” means any polling agent, any polling officer, presiding officer or other public
servant, who is an elector in the constituency and is by reason of his being on election duty unable to vote as
the polling station where he is entitled to vote.

18. Persons entitled to vote by post.—The following persons shall, subject to their fulfilling the requirements
hereinafter specified, be entitled to vote by post, namely:—

(a) at an election in a parliamentary or assembly constituency—
(i) special voters;

(ii) service voters;
(iii) voters on election duty; and
(iv) electors subjected to preventive detention;

(b) at an election in a council constituency—

(i) voters on election duty;

(ii) electors subjected to preventive detention; and

(iii) electors in the whole or any specified parts, of the constituency if directed by the
Election Commission in this behalf under clause (b) of rule 68;

(c) at an election by a assembly members–
(i) electors subjected to preventive detention; and
(ii) all electors if directed by the Election Commission in this behalf under clause (a) of rule 68.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 903(E), dated the 5th August, 2003.

56

Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
(Statutory Rules and Order)

19. Intimation by special voters.—A special voter who wishes to vote by post at an election shall send an
intimation in Form 12 to the returning officer so as to reach him at least ten days before the date of poll; and on
receipt of the intimation the returning officer shall issue a postal ballot paper to him.

20. Intimation by voters on election duty.—1[(1)] A voter on election duty who wishes to vote by post at an
election shall send an application in Form 12 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; and if the returning officer is satisfied
that the applicant is a voter on election duty, he shall issue a postal ballot paper to him.

2[(2) Where such voter, being a polling officer, presiding officer or other public servant on election duty in the
constituency of which he is an elector, wishes to vote in person at an election 3[in a parliamentary or assembly
constituency] and not by post, he shall send an application in Form 12A to the returning officer so as to reach him at
least four days, or such shorter period as the returning officer may allow, before the date of poll; and if the returning
officer is satisfied that the applicant is such public servant and voter on election duty in the constituency, he shall—

(a) issue to the applicant an election duty certificate in Form 12B,
(b) mark ‘EDC’ against his name in the marked copy of the electoral roll to indicate that an election duty

certificate has been issued to him, and

(c) ensure that he is not allowed to vote at the polling station where he would otherwise have been entitled to
vote.]

21. Electors under preventive detention.—(1) The appropriate Government shall, within fifteen days of
the calling of an election, ascertain and intimate to the returning officer the names of the electors, if any,
subjected to preventive detention together with their addresses and electoral roll numbers and the particulars about
their places of detention.

(2) Any elector subjected to preventive detention may, within fifteen days of the calling of an election, send
an intimation to the returning officer that he wishes to vote by post, specifying his name, address, electoral roll
number and place of detention.

(3) The returning officer shall issue a postal ballot paper to every elector subjected to preventive detention
whose name has been intimated to him under sub-rule (1) or under sub-rule (2).

22. Form of ballot paper.—4[(1) Every postal ballot paper shall have a counterfoil attached thereto, and the
said ballot paper and the counterfoil shall be in such form, and the particulars therein shall be in such language or
languages, as the Election Commission may direct.]

(2) The names of the candidates shall be arranged 5[on the postal ballot paper] 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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Rule 20 renumbered as sub-rule (1) of that rule by Notifn. No. S.O. 3662, dated the 12th October, 1964.
2. Ins., ibid.
3. Ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 3450, dated the 9th November, 1966.

4. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971, for sub-rule (1).
5. Ins., ibid.

57

Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
(Statutory Rules and Order)

23. Issue of ballot paper.—(1) A postal ballot paper shall be sent by post under certificate of posting to the
elector together with—

(a) a declaration in Form 13A;
(b) a cover in Form 13B;
(c) a large cover addressed to the returning officer in Form 13C; and
(d) instructions for the guidance of the elector in Form 13D:

Provided that the returning officer may, in the case of a special voter or a voter on election duty, deliver the
ballot paper and Forms, or cause them to be delivered, to such voter personally.

1[(2) The returning officer shall at the same time—
(a) record on the counterfoil of the ballot paper the electoral roll number of the elector as entered in the

marked copy of the electoral roll;

(b) mark the name of the elector in the marked copy of the electoral roll to indicate that a ballot paper has
been issued to him, without however recording therein the serial number of the ballot paper issued to that
elector; and

(c) ensure that that elector is not allowed to vote at a polling station.]

(3) Before any ballot paper is issued to an elector at an election in a local authorities’ constituency or by assembly
members, the serial number of the ballot paper shall be effectively concealed in such manner as the Election
Commission may direct.

(4) Every officer under whose care or through whom a postal ballot paper is sent shall ensure its delivery to
the addressee without delay.

(5) After ballot papers have been issued to all the electors entitled to vote by post, the returning officer shall—

(a) at an election in a parliamentary or assembly constituency, 2[subject to the provisions of rule 27P,
seal up in a packet] that part of the marked copy of the electoral roll which relates to service voters and
record on the packet a brief description of its contents and the date on which it was sealed and send the
other relevant parts of the marked copy to the several presiding officers 3[or marking the names of electors
to whom ballot papers are issued at the polling stations without however recording therein the serial
numbers of the ballot papers issued to the electors]; and

(b) at any other election, seal up in a packet the marked copy of the electoral roll and record on the
packet a brief description of its contents and the date on which it is sealed.

4[(6) The returning officer shall also seal up in a separate packet the counterfoils of the ballot papers issued to
electors entitled to vote by post and record on the packet a brief description of its contents and the date on which it
was sealed.]

24. Recording of Vote.—(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 13D and then
enclose it in the cover in Form 13B.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971, for sub-rule (2).
2. Subs. by Notifn. No. 903(E), dated the 5th August, 2003, for “seal up in a packet”.
3. Subs., by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971, for certain words.

4. Ins., ibid.

58

Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
(Statutory Rules and Order)

(2) The elector shall sign the declaration in Form 13A in the presence of, and have the signature attested by, a
stipendiary magistrate or such other officer specified below, as may be appropriate, to whom he is personally known
or to whose satisfaction he has been identified—

(a) in the case of a service voter, such officer as may be appointed in this behalf by the Commanding
Officer of the unit, ship or establishment in which the voter or her husband, as the case may be, is employed
or such officer as may be appointed in this behalf by the diplomatic or consular representative of India in the
country in which such voter is resident;

(b) in the case of a special voter, an officer not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to Government;
(c) in the case of a voter on election duty, any gazetted officer 1[or the presiding officer of the polling

station at which he is on election duty];

(d) in the case of an elector under preventive detention, the Superintendent of the Jail or the
Commandant of the detention camp in which the elector is under detention; and

(e) in any other case, such officer as may be notified in this behalf by the Election Commission.

25. Assistance to illiterate or infirm voters.—(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, he shall take the ballot paper,
together with declaration and the covers received by him to an officer competent to attest his signature under sub-rule
(2) of rule 24 and request the 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, sign the declaration on his behalf and complete the appropriate certificate contained in Form 13A.

26. Re-issue of ballot paper.—(1) When a postal ballot paper and other papers sent under rule 23 are for
any reason returned undelivered, the returning officer may re-issue them by post under certificate of posting or
deliver them or cause them to be delivered to the elector personally on a request being made by him.

(2) If any elector has inadvertently dealt with the ballot paper or any of the other papers sent to him under rule
23 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 spoiled papers and satisfied the returning officer of the inadvertence.

(3) The returning officer shall cancel the spoiled papers so returned and keep them in a separate packet after
noting thereon the particulars of the election and the serial numbers of the cancelled ballot papers.

27. Return of ballot paper.—(1) After an elector has recorded his vote and made his declaration under rule
24 or rule 25, he shall return the ballot paper and declaration to the returning officer in accordance with the
instructions communicated to him in Part II of Form 13D so as to reach the returning officer before 2[the hour fixed
for the commencement of counting of votes].

(2) If any cover containing a postal ballot paper is received by the returning officer after the expiry of the time
fixed in sub-rule (1), he shall note thereon the date 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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 3450, dated the 9th November, 1966.
2. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 479A, dated the 27th January, 1971, for certain words.

59

Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
(Statutory Rules and Order)

1[PART IIIA

Procedure for voting by the notified class of electors

27A. Definitions.—In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “Assistant Returning Officer”, for the notified class of electors, means the Assistant Returning Officer

notified by the Election Commission for the purposes of this Part;
(b) “notified elector” means an elector who belongs to a class of persons notified by the Election

Commission under clause (c) of section 60 of the Act.
27B. Special provisions for voting by the notified class of electors.—Notwithstanding anything contained in

Part III, the provisions of this Part shall apply to a notified elector who wishes to vote by post at an election.

27C. Intimation by a notified elector.—A notified elector, who wishes to vote by post at an election shall send
an application in Form 12C to the Assistant Returning Officer for the notified class of electors so as to reach him at
least ten days before the date of the poll and on receipt of the intimation such Assistant Returning Officer shall issue
a postal ballot paper to him:

Provided that an application which does not furnish complete particulars as required in Form 12C may be
rejected if such Assistant Returning Officer, despite making reasonable efforts, is not in a position to ascertain the
requisite information:

Provided further that an application in Form 12C without a certificate from the authorised officer as required
under Part II of Form 12C shall be rejected.

27D. Form of ballot paper.—(1) Every postal ballot paper shall have a counterfoil attached thereto and the
said ballot paper and the counterfoil shall be in such form and the particulars therein shall be in such language or
languages as the Election Commission may direct.

(2) The names of the candidates shall be arranged on the postal ballot paper 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.

27E. Issue of ballot paper.—A postal ballot paper shall be sent by post under certificate of posting to the
notified elector together with—

(a) a declaration in Form 13A;
(b) a cover in Form 13B;
(c) a large cover addressed to the Returning Officer in Form 13C; and
(d) instructions for the guidance of the elector in Form 13E:

Provided that the Assistant Returning Officer of the notified class of electors may deliver, or cause to be delivered,
the ballot paper and the Forms to the notified elector personnel”.

(2) The Assistant Returning Officer for the notified class of electors shall at the same time—

(a) record on the counterfoil of the ballot paper the electoral roll number of the elector as entered in the
marked copy of the electoral roll;

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1.
Part IIIA ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 32(E), dated the 1st May, 1996 and
Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 92(E), dated the 27th January, 1998.

60

Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
(Statutory Rules and Order)

(b) mark the name of the elector in the marked copy of the electoral roll to indicate that a ballot paper has
been issued to him without, however, recording therein the serial number of the ballot paper issued to that
elector;

(c) ensure that the elector is not allowed to vote at a polling station.
(3) Every officer under whose care or through whom a postal ballot paper is sent shall ensure its delivery to

the addressee without delay.

(4) The Assistant Returning Officer for the notified class of electors shall ensure that ballot papers are issued to all
such electors whose intimation has been received in accordance with rule 27C and who are entitled to vote by post
before eight days from the date of poll in the constituency and shall on expiry of the said period of eight days keep
the marked copies of the electoral rolls in sealed envelopes and record on the envelopes a brief description of its
contents and the date on which it was sealed and send the sealed envelopes to the Returning Officer concerned.

(5) The Assistant Returning Officer for the notified class of electors shall also seal in a separate packet the
counterfoils of the ballot papers issued to electors entitled to vote by post and record on the packet a brief
description of its contents and the date on which it was sealed and send the sealed packet to the Returning Officer
concerned.

27F. Recording of vote.—(1) A notified elector who has received a postal ballot paper and desires to vote shall
record his vote on the ballot paper in accordance with the instructions contained in Form 13E and then enclose it in the
cover in Form 13B.

(2) The notified elector shall sign the declaration in Form 13A in the presence of, and have the signature attested
by, an officer authorised under sub-rule (2) of rule 27J.

27G. Assistance to illiterate or infirm electors.—(1) If a notified elector is unable through illiteracy, blindness
or other physical infirmity to record his vote on a postal ballot paper and sign the declaration, he shall take the
ballot paper together with the declaration and the covers received by him to an officer authorised under sub-rule
(2) of rule 27J and request the 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, sign the declaration on his behalf and complete all the requirements to be made in this behalf.

27H. Re-issue of ballot paper.—(1) When a postal ballot paper and other papers sent under rule 27E are
for any reason returned undelivered, the Assistant Returning Officer for the notified class of electors may re-issue
them by post under certificate of posting or deliver them or cause them to be delivered to the elector personally either
on a request being made by him or of his own.

(2) If any notified elector has inadvertently dealt with the ballot paper or any of the other papers sent to him
under rule 27E 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 spoiled papers and satisfied the Assistant Returning Officer for the notified class of
electors of the inadvertence.

(3) The Assistant Returning Officer for the notified class of electors shall cancel the spoiled papers so returned
and keep them in a separate packet after noting thereon the particulars of the election and the serial numbers of the
cancelled ballot papers.

27-I. Return of ballot paper.—(1) After a notified elector has recorded his vote and made his declaration
under rule 27F or rule 27G, he shall return the ballot paper and the declaration to the Returning Officer concerned
before the hour fixed for the commencement of counting of votes.

(2) If any cover containing a postal ballot paper is received by the Returning Officer after the expiry of the time
fixed in sub-rule (1), he shall note thereon the date and time of its receipt and shall keep all such covers together in a
separate packet.

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(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.

27J. Officers authorised to perform certain functions under this Part.—(1) The officers mentioned in sub-
rule (2) shall be the authorised officers for the purpose of—

(a) sub-rule (2) of rule 27G;

(b) issuing certificate in Part II of Form 12C.
(2) Any of the following officers shall be the authorised officers for the purpose of sub-rule (1) —

(a) an oficer incharge of a migrant camp/area;
(b) an officer incharge of an office from where the migrant elector draws his salary as a migrant employee;
(c) an officer incharge of a treasury/bank from where the migrant elector draws his pension as a pensioner;
(d) any gazetted officer.

27K. Marked copy of the electoral roll.—The Returning Officer shall ensure that the marked copy of the
electoral roll received by him from the Assistant Returning Officer for the notified class of electors is used during the
poll in the constituency so that such electors who have been supplied with a postal ballot paper do not cast the vote
again.

27L. Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 54A, the Election Commission may direct, by notification in
the Official Gazette, that the postal ballot papers may be mixed with the ordinary ballot papers at the time of mixing
of ordinary ballot papers under rule 59A and, in that case, the Election Commission may also prescribe, by directions
to the Returning Officers, the manner in which the mixing of postal ballot papers shall be done with the ordinary
ballot papers in the constituency.]

1[PART IIIB

Voting by classified service voters through proxy

27M. Definitions.—In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “classified service voter” means any person specified in clause (a) of section 60, who opts to give his

vote by proxy;

(b) “proxy” means the person appointed by a classified service voter as his proxy under rule 27N to give
vote on his behalf and in his name;

(c) “service voter” means any person specified in clause (a) of section 60 and registered as an elector in the
last part of the electoral roll for the constituency.

27N. Appointment of proxy by a classified service voter.—(1) A service voter may opt to give his vote by proxy
appointed in the manner provided in sub-rules (2) to (4).

(2) Any service voter opting to vote by proxy may appoint any person as his proxy to give vote on his behalf and in
his name at an election in a parliamentary or assembly constituency:

Provided that such proxy shall be an ordinary resident in the constituency concerned and of not less than 18 years
of age and shall not be disqualified for registration as an elector in an electoral roll under section 16 of the
Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1950).

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 903(E), dated the 5th August, 2003.

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(3) The appointment of proxy under sub-rule (2) shall be made by the classified service voter in Form 13F.
(4) Any appointment of proxy made under sub-rule (3) shall be deemed to be valid so long as the person making it

continues to be a service voter or till the date he revokes such appointment, or dies, whichever is earlier:

Provided that any revocation of appointment shall be made in Form 13G and shall be effective from the date on
which it is received by the returning officer:

Provided further that where he revokes such appointment, or the proxy appointed by him dies, while he remains a
service voter, he may appoint another person as proxy under these rules, as a substitute proxy in Form 13G and the
substitute proxy so appointed shall be the proxy appointed by such classified service voter under sub-rule (3) from the
date of receipt of the Form 13G by the returning officer.

27-O. Intimation of name of proxy by the classified service voter.—(1) The name of the proxy appointed by a
classified service voter under sub-rule (3), or, as the case may be, under the second proviso to sub-rule (4), of rule 27N
shall be intimated by him to the returning office as soon as may be after such appointment is made, and such intimation
must reach the returning officer not later than the last date for making nominations for the earliest election in the
constituency after such appointment.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), if any intimation under that sub-rule reaches the returning
officer after the last date for making nominations in the constituency, such intimation shall not be valid for the election
then in progress, but shall, subject to the provisions of sub-rule (4) of rule 27N, be valid for any future election in the
constituency.

27P. Action by returning officer on intimation of name of proxy.—(1) On receipt of intimation under rule 27-O
from a classified service voter in regard to his proxy, the returning officer shall mark “CSV” against the name of such
voter in the last part of the electoral roll containing the names of all service voters so as to indicate that the said voter
has appointed his proxy, and the returning officer shall—

(a) If it is an intimation received the last date for making nominations in the constituency, ensure that no
postal ballot paper is issued to such classified service voter; and

(b) if it is an intimation received after the said last date, ensure that a postal ballot paper is issued to such
classified service voter for the election then in progress, in accordance with the provisions contained in Part III
of these rules.

(2) The returning officer shall also prepare, and maintain up-to date, a separate list of all classified service voters
who have given intimation of their proxies under rule 27-O, and also of all such proxies with their complete addresses,
in such form and such manner as the Election Commission may specify from time to time.

(3) As soon as may be after the last date for making nominations in the constituency, the returning officer shall, on
the basis of the list maintained under sub-rule (2) and subject to such further direction as the Election Commission may
give in this behalf, prepare or cause to be prepared polling station-wise sub-lists of all classified service voters and their
proxies having regard to the residential address of each such classified service voter as given in the electoral roll.

(4) Each sub-list prepared under sub-rule (3) shall thereafter be caused to be added by the returning officer at the
end to the relevant part of the electoral roll pertaining to each polling station concerned, and such relevant part of the
electoral roll together with the said sub-list shall be deemed to be the copy of the electoral roll to be used as the marked
copy of the electoral roll under rule 33A or, as the case may be, under rule 49F during the poll at the polling station
concerned.

27Q. Recording of votes of proxy.—(1) A person voting as proxy for a classified service voter shall do so in
person at the polling station concerned in the electoral roll of which the name of such classified service voter is added
under sub-rule (4) of rule 27P.

(2) The person voting as proxy shall record the vote on behalf of the classified service voter at the said polling
station, in the same manner as any other elector assigned to that polling station and the provisions of rules 34, 35 and
36 to 43 or, as the case may be, rules 49G, 49H, 49J to 49R shall apply in relation to the recording of vote by such
proxy as they apply to any other elector at the polling station:

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Provided that any reference to left forefinger of elector in rule 37 or, as the case may be, rule 49K shall be construed
as reference to left middle finger of the person voting as a proxy under this rule.]

PART IV

Voting in Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies

1[CHAPTER I
VOTING BY BALLOT]

28. Definitions.—2[In this Chapter and Chapter II], unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “candidate” means a contesting candidate;
(b) “constituency” means a parliamentary or assembly constituency; and

(c) “polling agent”, in relation to a polling station, means a polling agent of a candidate duly appointed under
section 46 for the polling station and includes a candidate and the election agent of a candidate when present at the
polling station.

29. Design of ballot boxes.—Every ballot box shall be of such design as may be approved by the Election
Commission.

30. Form of ballot papers.—3[(1) Every ballot paper shall have a counterfoil attached thereto, and the said
ballot paper and the counterfoil shall be in such form, and the particulars therein shall be 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 or residence or in some other manner.

31. Arrangements at 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 electors so entitled; and
(b) a copy of the list of contesting candidates.

(2) At each polling station, there shall be set up 4[one or more voting compartments] in which electors can
record their votes screened from observation.

(3) The returning officer shall provide at each polling station a sufficient number of ballot boxes, copies of the
relevant part of the electoral roll, ballot papers, instruments for stamping the distinguishing mark on ballot
papers and articles, necessary for electors to mark the ballot papers.

32. Admission to polling stations.—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 the election;

(c) persons authorised by the Election Commission;

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 230(E), dated the 24th March, 1992.
2. Subs., ibid., for certain words.
3. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971, for sub-rule (1).

4. Subs., ibid., for certain words.

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(d) candidates, their election agents and subject to the provisions of rule 13, 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-rule (2) of
rule 34 or sub-rule (1) of rule 35.

33. 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 thereinto
remains 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 the 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 labels, both inside and outside, marked with—
(a) the serial number, if any, and name of the constituency;

(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.

1[33A. 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—

2[(a) any entry other than those made in pursuance of clause (b) of sub-rule (2) of rule 20 or clause (b) of sub-
rule (2) of rule 27E; and]

3[(b) any mark other than the mark made in pursuance of clause (b) of sub-rule (2) of rule 23 or clause (b) of
sub-rule (2) of rule 27E.]]

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Subs. by Notifin. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23 rd December, 1971, for rule 33A.
2. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 321(E), dated the 1st May, 1996, for cl. (a).
3. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 628(E), dated the 4th August, 1999, for cl. (b).

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34. 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 women 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.

35. 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 authorised 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) Where the polling station is situated in a constituency, electors of which have been supplied with identity
cards under the provisions of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, the elector shall produce his identity card
before the presiding officer or the polling officer authorised by him in this behalf.

(4) 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 an entry in the electoral roll, if he is satisfied that
such person is identical with the elector to whom such entry relates.

1[35A. Facilities for public servants on election duty.—(1) The provisions of rule 35 shall not apply to any
person who produces at the polling station an election duty certificate in Form 12B 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.

(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) 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.]

36. 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 in the list of challenged votes in Form 14; 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;

_________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Ins. by Notfin. No. S.O. 3662, dated the 12th October, 1964.

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(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.

(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 forfeited to Government, and in any other case, he shall return to
the challenger at the conclusion of the inquiry.

37. 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—
(a) refuses to allow his left forefinger to be inspected or marked in accordance with sub-rule (1) or has

already such a mark on his left forefinger or does any act with a view to removing the ink mark, or
(b) fails or refuses to produce his identity card as required by sub-rule (3) of rule 35,

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 an assembly constituency, an
elector whose left forefinger has been marked with indelible ink or who has produced his identity card at one such
election shall, notwithstanding anything 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 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.

1[38. Issue of ballot papers to electors.—(1) Every ballot paper before it is issued to an elector, and the
counterfoil attached thereto shall be stamped on the back with such distinguishing mark as the Election Commission
may direct, and every ballot paper, before it is issued, shall be signed in full on its back by the presiding officer.

(2) At the time of issuing a ballot paper to an elector, the polling officer shall—
(a) record on its counterfoil the electoral roll number of the elector as entered in the marked copy of the

electoral roll;

2[(b) obtain the signature or thumb impression of that elector on the said counterfoil; and]

(c) mark the name of the elector in the marked copy of the electoral roll to indicate that a ballot paper has
been issued to him, without however recording therein the serial number of the ballot paper issued to that elector:

2[Provided that no ballot paper shall be delivered to an elector unless he has put his signature or thumb
impression on the counterfoil of that ballot paper.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971, for rule 38.
2. Ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 518(E), dated the 7th September, 1979.

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(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2) of rule 2, it shall not be necessary for any presiding officer
or polling officer or any other officer to attest the thumb impression of the elector on the counterfoil.]

(4) No person in the polling station shall note down the serial numbers of the ballot papers issued to
particular electors.]

1[39. Maintenance of secrecy of voting by electors within polling station and voting procedure.—(1) Every
elector to whom a ballot paper has been issued under rule 38 or under any other provision of these rules, shall
maintain secrecy of voting within the polling station and for that purpose observe the voting procedure hereinafter laid
down.

(2) 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 paper 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.

(3) Every elector shall vote without undue delay.

(4) No elector shall be allowed to enter a voting compartment when another elector is inside it.

(5) If an elector to whom a ballot paper has been issued, refuses, after warning given by the presiding officer, to
observe the procedure as laid down in sub-rule (2), the ballot paper issued to him shall, whether he has recorded his
vote thereon or not, be taken back from him by the presiding officer or a polling officer under the direction of the
presiding officer.

(6) After the ballot paper has been taken back, the presiding officer shall record on its back the words
“Cancelled: voting procedure violated” and put his signature below those words.

(7) All the ballot papers on which the words “Cancelled: voting procedure violated” are recorded, shall be
kept in a separate cover which shall bear on its face the words “Ballot papers: voting procedure violated”.

(8) Without prejudice to any other penalty to which an elector, from whom a ballot paper has been taken back
under sub-rule (5), may be liable, the vote, if any, recorded on such ballot paper shall not be counted.]

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 1433, dated the 19th April, 1968, for rule 39.

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1[40. 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 2[eighteen] years of age to the voting compartment for recording the vote on the ballet paper on his
behalf and in accordance with his wishes, and, if necessary, for folding the ballet 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 the 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 companion of any other elector at any polling station on that day.

(2) The presiding officer shall keep a record in Form 14A of all cases under this rule.]

41. Spoilt and returned ballot papers.—(1) An elector who has inadvertently dealt with his ballot paper
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 3[the ballot paper so returned and the
counterfoil of such ballot paper] 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
3[the ballot paper so returned and the counterfoil of such ballot paper] 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.

42. 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 satisfactorily answering such questions relating to
his identity as the presiding officer may ask, be entitled, subject to the following provisions of this rule, to mark a
ballot paper (hereinafter 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 15.

4[(3) A tendered ballot paper shall be the same as the other ballot papers used at the polling except that—
(a) such tendered ballot paper shall be serially the last in the bundle of ballot papers issued for use at the

polling station; and

(b) such tendered ballot paper and its counterfoil shall be endorsed on the back with the words “tendered
ballot paper” by the presiding officer in his own hand and signed by him.]

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 3662, dated the 12th October, 1964, for rule 40.
2. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 542(E), dated the 13th September, 1989, for “twenty-one”.
3. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971, for certain words.

4. Subs., ibid., for sub-rule (3).

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Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
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(4) The elector, after marking a tendered ballot paper in the voting compartment and folding it, shall, instead of
putting it into the ballot box, give it to the presiding officer, who shall place it in a cover specially kept for the
purpose :

1[Provided that where such elector is a member of a political party in an election to fill a seat or seats in the
Council of States, the presiding officer shall, before placing the tendered ballot paper in the said cover, allow the
authorised agent of that political party to verify as to which candidate the elector has cast his vote.

Explanation. —For the purposes of this rule, “authorised agent”, in respect of a political party, means an
authorised agent appointed, under sub-rule (2) of rule 39AA as made applicable, by clause (ii) of rule 70, to election, in
a council constituency and, by assembly members other than by postal ballot under clause (a) of rule 68, by that
political party.]

43. Closing of poll.—(1) The presiding officer shall close a polling station at the hour fixed in that behalf under
section 56 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.

44. 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.
(4) The foregoing provisions of this rule shall not apply at a polling station to the presiding officer of which the

Election Commission has issued a direction asking him to proceed in accordance with sub-rule (5).
(5) At any such polling station, as soon as practicable after the close of poll, the presiding officer shall–

(a) transfer all the ballot papers contained in the ballot box or boxes used at that polling station, without
examining or counting them and with due regard to the secrecy of the ballot, into a cloth bag or cloth-lined
cover after demonstrating to the polling agents present that the bag or cover is empty;

(b) allow the polling agents present to inspect each ballot box and demonstrate to them that it has been
emptied;

(c) record on the bag or cover the name of the constituency, the name of the polling station and the date of
the poll; and

(d) seal the bag or cover and allow any polling agent present to affix his seal thereon.
45. Account of ballot papers.— 2[(1)] The presiding officer shall at the close of the poll prepare a ballot paper

account in Form 16 and enclose it in a separate cover with the words “Ballot Paper Account” superscribed thereon.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 272(E), dated the 27th February, 2004.
2. Rule 45 renumbered as sub-rule (1) of that rule by Notifn. No. S.O. 3875, dated the 15th December, 1966.

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1[(2) The presiding officer shall furnish to every polling agent present at the close of the poll a true copy of
the entries made in the ballot paper account after obtaining a receipt from the said polling agent therefor and shall
also attest it as a true copy.]

46. Sealing of other packets.—(1) The presiding officer shall then make into separate packets—
(a) the marked copy of the electoral roll;

2[(aa) the counterfoils of the used ballot paper;]
3[(b) the ballot papers signed in full by the presiding officer under sub-rule (1) of rule 38 but not issued to

the voters;
(bb) any other ballot papers not issued to the voters;
(c) the ballot papers cancelled for violation of voting procedure under rule 39;
(cc) any other cancelled ballot papers;]
(d) the cover containing the tendered ballot papers and the list in Form 15;
(e) the list of challenged votes; and
(f) any other papers directed by the Election Commission to be kept in a sealed packet.

3[(2) Each such packet shall be sealed with the seals of the presiding officer and with the seals 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 seals thereon.]

47. 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 or, as the case may be, the bags or covers referred to in rule 44;
(b) the ballot paper account;
(c) the sealed packets referred to in rule 46; 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.

48. Procedure on adjournment of poll.–(1) If the poll at any polling station is adjourned under sub-section (1)
of
section 57, the provisions of rules 44 to 47 shall, as far as
practicable, apply as if the poll was closed at the hour fixed in that
behalf
under section 56.

(2) When an adjourned poll is recommenced under sub-section (2) of section 57, 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 the polling agents present and use the
marked copy of the electoral roll 4[for marking the names of the electors to whom the ballot papers are issued at the
adjourned poll, without however recording therein the serial number thereof].

1. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 229(E), dated the 26th May, 1975, for sub-rule (2).
2. Ins. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971.
3. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 4542, dated the 20th December, 1968, for sub-rule (2) (w.e.f. 1-1-1969).
4. Subs. by Notifn. No. S.O. 5573, dated the 23rd December, 1971, for certain words.