GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL
LAW DEPARTMENT
Legislative
West Bengal Act XXXIV of 1994
THE WEST BENGAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
ACT, 1994.
[Passed by the West Bengal Legislature.] [Assent of the Governor was first published in the Calcutta Gazette, Extraordinary, of the 20th July, 1994.]
[20th Julj, 1994.]
An Act to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the holding of elections to the Municipalities in West Bengal. WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the holding of elections to the Municipalities in West Bengal; It is hereby enacted in the Forty-fifth Year of the Republic of India, by the Legislature of West Bengal, as follows:—
CHAPTER I
Preliminary
1. (1) This Act may be called the West Bengal Municipal Short title, Eelections Act, 1994.
extent and commence-
(2) It extends to the whole of West Bengal.
ment
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification, appoint.
West Ben.
Act VIII of
1994.
43 of 1950.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) "article" means an article of the Constitution;
(b) "Commission" means the West Bengal State Election Commission referred to in sub-section (1) of section 3 of the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994;
(c) "constituency" means a ward of a Municipality;
(d) "Constitution" means the Constitution of India;
(e) "election" means the election to fill a seat or seats in a Municipality;
(f) "elector", in relation to a constituency of a Municipality, means the person whose name is entered in the electoral roll of that Municipality for the time being in force and who is not subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950; Definitions.
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[West Ben. Act
(Chapter I.—Preliminary.—Section 3.)
(g) "member" means a person elected at an election to fill a seat in a Municipality;
(h) "Municipal area" means the territorial area of a Municipality;
(i) "Municipality" has the same meaning as in clause (e) of article 243P of the Constitution;
(j) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette;
(k) "order" means an order published in the Official Gazette;
(1) "ordinarily resident" has the same meaning as assigned to it in section 20 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950;
(m) "Panchayat" has the same meaning as in clause (a) of article 243 of the Constitution;
(n) "person" does not include a body of persons;
(o) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(p) "public holiday" means any day which is a public holiday for the purposes of section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881;
(q) "qualifying date" means the date specified as such by the Commission by notification for the purposes of this Act;
(r) "sign", in relation to a person who is unable to write his name, means to authenticate in such manner as may be prescribed;
(s) "ward" means an administrative division of a Municipality;
(t) other expressions have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the West Bengal State Election Commission Act,
1994.
26 of 1881. Power to delimit
municipal areas into wards.
3. For the purpose of election of members of a Municipality, the Commission shall, having regard to population dwelling. pattern, geographical conditions and economic considerations of the area in each ward, divide any municipal area into such number of wards as may be determined by the State Government in this behalf:
Provided that the number of wards in the municipal area of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation and the Howrah Municipal Corporation shall be such as is provided in the Calcutta MuniCipal Corporation Act, 1980 and the Howrah Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, respectively.
West Ben.
Act LIX of
1980.
West Ben. Act LVIII of
1980.
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The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
XXXIV of 1994.]
West Ben. Act VIII of
1994.
(Chapter 1I.—Officers.—Sections 4-9.)
CHAPTER II
Officers
4. The officers for the purpose of election shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 6 of the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994, and they shall exercise powers and perform functions in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994.
5. (1) Subject to the superintendence, direction and control of the Commission, the District Municipal Election Officer shall co-ordinate and supervise all work within his jurisdiction in connection with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls for all Municipalities.
(2) The District Municipal Election Officer shall perform such other functions as may be entrusted to him by the Commission.
6. (1) The electoral roll for each Municipality shall be prepared and revised by a Municipal Electoral Registration Officer.
(2) A Municipal Electoral Registration Officer may, subject to any prescribed restrictions, employ such persons as he thinks fit for the preparation and revision of the electoral roll for the Municipality.
7. Every Assistant Municipal Electoral Registration Officer shall, subject to the direction and control of the Municipal Electoral Registration Officer, be competent to perform any of the functions of the Municipal Electoral Registration Officer.
8. Subject to the superintendence, direction and control of the Commission, the District Municipal Election Officer shall supervise the conduct of all elections within his jurisdiction. The District Municipal Election Officer shall perform such other functions as may be entrusted to him by the Commission.
9. Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 6 of the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994, there shall be a Municipal Returning Officer for every constituency for every election to fill a seat or seats in a Municipality:
Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent the Commission from designating or nominating the same person to be Municipal Returning Officer for more than one constituency.
Officers.
Co-
ordination
and
supervision.
Preparation
and revision
of electoral
roll.
Functions of
Assistant
Municipal
Electoral
Registration
Officer.
General
duties of
District
Municipal
Election
Officer.
Municipal
Returning
Officer.
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The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
[West Ben. Act
Assistant Municipal Returning Officer. General duty of the
Municipal Returning Officer.
Provision of polling
stations for constituencies. (Chapter IL—Officers.—Sections 10-13.)
10. Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 6 of the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994, every Assistant Municipal Returning Officer shall, subject to the control of the Municipal Returning Officer, be competent to perform any of the functions of the Municipal Returning Officer.
11. It shall be the general duty of the Municipal 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 this Act or the rules or the orders made thereunder.
12. The Municipal Returning Officer shall, subject to such directions as may be issued by the Commission in this behalf, provide a sufficient number of polling stations for every constituency and shall publish, in such manner as the Commission may direct, a list showing the polling stations so provided and the polling areas or groups of voters for which they have respectively been provided.
West Ben.
Act VIII of
1994.
Appointment 13. (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (4) of section 6 of of Presiding the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994, there shall be a Officers and
Polling Presiding Officer and such number of Polling Officer or Officers for Officers for each polling station as the Municipal Returning Officer thinks necessary:
polling
stations. Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall prevent the Municipal Returning Officer from appointing the same person to be the Presiding Officer for more than one polling station in the same premises:
Provided further 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 Officer during the absence of the former officer, and inform the Municipal Returning Officer accordingly.
(2) A Polling Officer shall, if so directed by the Presiding Officer, perform all or any of the functions of a Presiding Officer under this Act or the rules or the orders made thereunder.
(3) If the Presiding Officer, owing to illness or other unavoidable cause, is obliged to absent himself from the polling station, his functions shall be performed by such Polling Officer as has been previously authorised by the Municipal Returning Officer to perform such functions during any such absence.
(4) Any reference in this Act to the Presiding Officer shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include a reference to any person performing any functions which he is authorised to perform under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3), as the case may be.
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(Chapter IL—Officers.—Sections 14, 15.—Chapter 111.—Electoral rolls for Municipalities.—Sections 16-20.)
14. It shall be the general duty of the Presiding Officer at a polling General duty station to keep order thereat and to see that the Polling fairly taken. of the Presiding
Officer.
15. It shall be the duty of the Polling Officer at a polling station to Duties of a assist the Presiding Officer for such polling station in the performance Polling of his functions.
Officer.
CHAPTER III
West Ben. Act VIII of 1994.
Electoral rolls for Municipalities
16. Subject to the provisions of section 5 of the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994, the electoral roll for every Municipality shall consist of the electoral rolls for all the constituencies comprised within the Municipality.
17. (1) Every person who—
(a) is not less than 18 years of age on the qualifying date, and
(b) is ordinarily resident in a municipal area, shall be entitled to be registered in the electoral roll for that municipal area.
(2) No person shall be entitled to be registered in the electoral roll for any Municipality in more than one place.
(3) No person shall be entitled to be registered in the electoral roll for any Municipality if his name has already been registered as a voter in the electoral roll for any other Municipality or Panchayat.
(4) No person shall be entitled to be registered in the electoral roll for any Municipality more than once.
Electoral rolls
for
Municipalities.
Condition for
registration
as a voter.
18. The disqualifications for registration in an electoral roll for a Disquali- Municipality shall be the same as provided in section 16 of the fications for
43 of 1950. Representation of the People Act, 1950. registration.
19. If, in any case, a question arises as to whether a person is Dispute as to ordinarily resident at any relevant time, the question shall be determined person is with reference to all the facts of the case and such rules as may be made ordinarily in this behalf by the State Government in consultation with the resident. Commission.
20. (1) The electoral roll for each Municipality shall be prepared in Preparation the prescribed manner by reference to the qualifying date and shall come and revision of electoral into force immediately upon its final publication in accordance with the rolls. rules made under this Act.
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[West Ben. Act
(Chapter 111.—Electoral rolls for Municipalities.—Section 21.)
(2) The electoral roll shall,—
(a) unless otherwise directed by the Commission, for reasons to be recorded in writing, be revised in the prescribed manner by reference to the qualifying date—
(i) before each general election to the Municipality, and
(ii) before each bye-election to fill a casual vacancy in a seat allotted to the constituency, and
(b) notwithstanding anything contained in clause (a), be revised in any year in the prescribed manner by reference to the qualifying date if such revision has been directed by the 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-section (2), the Commission may, at any time, for reasons to be recorded in writing, direct a special revision of the electoral roll of any Municipality in such manner as it may think fit:
Provided that subject to the other provisions of this Act, the electoral roll for the Municipality as in force at the time of issue of any such direction, shall continue to be in force until the completion of the special revision so directed.
Correction
of entries in
electoral
rolls.
21. If the Municipal Electoral Registration Officer for a Municipality, 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 of the Municipality—
(a) is erroneous or defective in any particular,
(b) should be transposed to another place in the electoral roll on the ground that the person concerned has changed his place of ordinary residence within the jurisdiction of the Municipality, or
(c) should be deleted on the ground that the person concerned is dead or has ceased to be ordinarily resident within the jurisdiction of the Municipality or is otherwise not entitled to be registered in that electoral roll, the Municipal Electoral
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(Chapter 111—Electoral rolls for Municipalities.—Sections 22-24.) Registration Officer shall, subject to such general or special directions, if any, as may be given by the Commission in this behalf, amend, transpose or delete the entry:
Provided that before taking any action on any ground under 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 the jurisdiction of the Municipality or that he is otherwise not entitled to be registered in the electoral roll of that Municipality, the Municipal Electoral 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.
22. (1) Any person whose name is not included in the electoral roll Inclusion of names in of a Municipality may apply to the Municipal Electoral Registration electoral Officer for the inclusion of his name in the electoral roll.
rolls.
(2) The Municipal Electoral Registration Officer shall, if he is 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 Municipality or Panchayat, the Municipal Electoral Registration Officer shall inform the Municipal Electoral Registration Officer of that other Municipality or the Panchayat Electoral Registration Officer of that Panchayat to that effect and the Municipal Electoral Registration Officer of that other Municipality or the Panchayat Electoral Registration Officer of that Panchayat, as the case may be, shall, on receipt of the information, strike off the applicant's name from that electoral roll.
(3) No amendment, transposition or deletion of any entry shall be made under section 21 and no direction for the inclusion of a name in the electoral roll of a Municipality shall be given under this section after the last date for making nominations for an election in that Municipality and before the completion of such election.
23. An appeal shall lie within such time and in such manner as Appeal. may be prescribed to the DistriCt Municipal Election Officer from any order of the Municipal Electoral Registration Officer under section 21 or section 22.
24. Every application under section 21 or section 22 and every appeal under section 23 shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee which shall, in no case, be refunded.
Fee for
applications
and appeals.
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The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
[West Ben. Act
(Chapter 1V—General.—Sections 25-27.)
CHAPTER IV
General
Power to 25. (1) The State Government may, affter consultation with the make rules. Commission, by notification, make rules for carrying out the purpose of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the particulars to be entered in the electoral roll;
(b) the preliminary publication of electoral rolls;
(c) the manner in which and the time within which claims and objections as to entries in electoral rolls may be preferred;
(d) the manner in which notices of claims or objections shall be published;
(e) the place, date and time at which claims or objections shall be heard and disposed of;
(f) the final publication of electoral rolls;
(g) the revision and correction of electoral rolls and inclusion of names therein;
(h) any other matter required to be prescribed by this Act.
(3) Every rule made by the State Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before the State Legislature, while it is in session, for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, the State Legislature agrees in making any modification in the rule or the State Legislature agrees that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. Staff of local
authorities.
Making false
declarations.
26. Every local authority in the State shall, when so required by the Commission, make available to any Municipal Electoral Registration Officer such staff as may be necessary for the performance of any duties in connection with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
27. 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,
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The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
XXXIV of 1994.]
(Chapter 1V—General.—Section 28.—Chapter V.—
Elections.—Section 29.) 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, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
28. ( I ) If any Municipal Electoral Registration Officer, Assistant Municipal Electoral Registration Officer or other person required by or under this Act to perform any official duty in connection with the preparation, revision or correction of an electoral roll or inclusion or exclusion of any entry in or from such electoral roll is, without reasonable cause, guilty of any act or omission in breach of such official duty, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
(2) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any such officer or other person for damages in respect of any such act or ommission as aforesaid.
(3) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under sub-section (1) unless there is a complaint made by an order of, or under the authority from, the Commission.
CHAPTER V
Elections
29. (1) Seats shall be reserved by notification by the Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in every Municipality, and the number of seats so reserved shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election to that Municipality as the population of the Scheduled Castes in the municipal area or of the Scheduled Tribes in the municipal area, as the case may be, bears to the total population of that municipal area, and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies of that municipality by the Commission.
(2) Not less than one-third of the total number of seats reserved under sub-section (1) shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or, as the case may be, the Scheduled Tribes.
(3) Not less than one-third of the total number of seats, including the seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes undersub-section (2), to be filled by direct election to a Municipality, shall be reserved for women, and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies of that Municipality by the Commission.
Breach of
official duty
in connection
with the
preparation
etc. of
electoral
rolls.
Reservation
of seats.
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The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994. [West Ben. Act
General dis-
qualifications
for
membership
of a
Municipality.
(Chapter V.—Elections.—Section 30.)
(4) The office of Chairperson of a Municipality shall be reserved for a woman candidate for the first term if at least 50 per cent of the total number of elected members are women. The office of Chairperson of a Municipality shall be reserved for a Scheduled Caste candidate for the next term if at least 50 per cent of the elected members belong to the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe communities. The office of Chairperson of a Municipality shall be reserved for a Scheduled Tribe candidate for the next term where at least 50 per cent of the elected members belong to the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe communities.
30. (1) A person shall not be eligible for election as a member if such person—
(a) has been adjudged by a competent court to be of unsound mind; or
(b) is under twenty-one years of age; or
(c) is an undischarged insolvent; or
(d) being a discharged insolvent, has not obtained from the court a certificate that his insolvency was caused by misfortune without any misconduct on his part; or
(e) holds any office of profit under the Municipality; or (0 has, directly or indirectly by himself or by his partner or employer or any employee, any share or interest in any contract or employment with, by, or on behalf of, the Municipality; or
(g) is in the service of, or receives remuneration from, the Central or the State Government or the Municipality; or
(h) has been elected to, or appointed under, any other Municipality or Panchayat or the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council constituted under the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Act, 1988:
Provided that notwithstanding anything contained in clause (0, no person shall be deemed to be disqualified thereunder by reason only of his having a share or interest in—
West Ben.
Act XIII of
1988.
(i) any lease, sale or purchase of land or any agreement for the same; or
(ii) any agreement for the loan of money or any security for the payment of money only; or
(iii) any newspaper in which any advertisement relating to the affairs of the Municipality is inserted; or
(iv) any incorporated or registered company which contracts with, or is employed by, the Municipality.
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XXXIV of 1994.]
(Chapter V—Elections.—Sections 31-33.)
(2) A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of a Municipality if he is so disqualified by or under any law for the time being in force for the purposes of elections to the State Legislature:
Provided that no person shall be disqualified on the ground that he is less than twenty-five years of age, if he has attained the age of twenty- one years.
(3) If any question arises as to whether any person or any member has become subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in sub- section (1) and sub-section (2), the question shall be referred for decision to such authority and in such manner as the State Government may notify from time to time.
31. (1) Where a person elected to be a member was not eligible for Election of such election on account of any disqualification referred to in section 30 persons inelle
and
or where a person incurs such disqualification subsequent to his election disqualifi- as a member, the election of such person shall be void upon the State cations
subsequently
Government making a declaration to that effect:
incurred. Provided that no such declaration shall be made if the question of such disqualification was raised in an election petition presented under this Act.
(2) No act done by a member as aforesaid while remaining in office, shall be invalid on account of his election being declared void subsequently.
(3) The casual vacancy arising out of any election being declared void under this section shall be filled up in accordance with the provision of this Act.
32. (1) Any person who stands disqualified under the section 76 Disqualifi- cation on
may, if the period of such disqualification has not expired, submit a ground of petition to the Governor for the removal of such disqualification for the corrupt unexpired portion of the said period.
practices.
(2) Before giving his decision on any question, or on any petition submitted under sub-section (2), the Governor may obtain the opinion of the Commission on such question or petition.
33. (1) A person who having held an office under the Government of India or under the Government of any State or under any Municipality has been dismissed for corruption or for disloyalty to the State or the Municipality, shall be disqualified for a period of five years from the date of such dismissal.
Disqualifi-
cation for
dismissal for
corruption or
disloyalty.
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Disqualifica-
lion for
failure to
lodge
account of
election
expenses.
Disqualifica-
tion arising
out of
conviction
and corrupt
practices.
(Chapter V—Elections.—Sections 34-36.)
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), a certificate issued by the Commission to the effect that a person having held office under the Government of India or under the Government of a State or under any Municipality has or has not been dismissed for corruption or for disloyalty to the State or Municipality ,,shall be conclusive proof of that fact:
Provided that no certificate to the effect that a person has been dismissed for corruption or for disloyalty to the State or Municipality shall be issued unless such person has been given an opportunity of being heard.
34. IC the Commission is satisfied that a person—
(a) has failed to lodge an account of election expenses within the time and in the manner required by or under this Act, and
(b) has no good reason or justification for the failure, the Commission shall, by order published in the Official Gazette, declared him to be disqualified, and any such person shall be disqualified for a period of three years from the date of the order.
35. (1) If any person, after the commencement of this Act, is convicted of an offence punishable under section 171E, or section 171F, of the Indian Penal Code, or under section 125, or section 135, or 45 of 1860. clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 136, of the Representation of the 43 of 1951. People Act, 1951, he shall, for a period of six years from the date of conviction or from the date on which the order takes effect, as the case may be, be disqualified for voting at any election, and his name shall be struck off from the electoral roll.
(2) Any person disqualified by a decision of the District Judge under section 76 for any period shall be disqualified for the same period for voting at any election, and his name shall be struck off from the electoral roll.
Notification 36. (1) The first general election to a Municipality, newly constituted, for general shall be held not later than six months from the date of notification election to a Municipality. constituting the Municipality.
(2) A general election shall be held for the purpose of constituting a new Municipality on the expiration of the duration of the existing Municipality or on its dissolution and completed before the expiry of the duration of the Municipality.
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XXXIV of 1994.]
(Chapter VI.—Conduct of Elections.—Section 37.) West Ben.
Act VIII of
1994.
(3) For the purpose as aforesaid, the State Government shall, subject to the provisions of section 8 of the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994, by one or more notifications published in the Official Gazette on such date or dates as may be determined, call upon the Municipality to elect members in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules and the orders made thereunder:
Provided that where a general election is held otherwise than on the dissolution of the existing Municipality, no such notification shall be issued at any time earlier than six months prior to the date on which the duration of such Municipality would expire;
Provided further that when a Municipality has been dissolved, elections to constitute the Municipality shall be completed before the expiry of six months from the date of its dissolution:
Provided also that where the period for which such dissolved Municipality would have continued is less than six months, it shall not be necessary to hold any elections to constitute such Municipality for such period.
CHAPTER VI
Conduct of Elections
37. As soon as the notification calling upon a Municipality to elect a Appointment of member or members is issued, the Commission shall, by notification, dates for
nominations
appoint—
etc.
(a) the last date for making nominations, which shall be seventh 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 day immediately following the last date for making nominations or, if that day is a public holiday, the next succeeding day which is not a public holiday:
Provided that one or more successive dates may be appointed for the scrutiny of nominations;
(c) the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures, which shall be the second day after the last date for the scrutiny of nominations or, if that day is a public holiday, the next succeeding day which is not a public holiday;
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(Chapter W.—Conduct of Elections.—Sections 38-40.)
(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 twenty-fifth day after last date for the withdrawal of candidatures; and
(e) the date before which the election shall be completed. Public notice
of election.
Nomination
of candidates
for election.
Presentation
of nomina-
tion paper
and
requirements
for valid
nomination.
38. On the issue of a notification under section 37, the Municipal Returning Officer shall, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, give public notice of the intended election inviting nominations of candidates for such election and specifying the place at which the nomination papers shall be delivered.
39. Any person may be nominated as a candidate for election to fill a seat in a Municipality if he is qualified to be chosen to fill that seat under the provisions of this Act.
40. (1) On or before the date appointed under clause (a) of section 37, 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 Municipal Returning Officer at the place specified in this behalf in the notice issued under section 38 a nomination paper completed in the prescribed form and signed by the candidate and by an elector of the constituency as proposer:
Provided that no nomination paper shall be delivered to the Municipal Returning Officer on a day which is a public holiday.
(2) In a constituency where any seat is reserved, a candidate shall not be deemed to be qualified to be chosen to fill that seat unless his nomination paper contains a declaration by him specifying particular caste or tribe of which he is a member and the area in relation to which that caste or tribe is a Scheduled Caste or, as the case may be, a Scheduled Tribe of the State of West Bengal.
(3) Where the candidate is a person who, having held any office referred to in section 33 has been dismissed and a period of five 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 in the prescribed manner by the 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 Municipal Returning Officer shall satisfy himself that the names and electoral roll
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XXXIV of 1994.] ••
(Chapter Ill.—Conduct of Elections.—Section 41.) numbers of the candidate and his proposer as entered in the nomination paper are the same as those entered in the electoral roll:
Provided that no misnomer or inaccurate description or clerical, technical or printing error in regard to the name of the candidate or his proposer or any other person, or in regard to any place, mentioned in the electoral roll or the nomination paper and no clerical, technical or printing error in regard to the electoral roll numbers of any such person in the electoral roll or the nomination paper, shall affect the full operation of the electoral roll or the nomination paper with respect to such person or place in any case where the description in regard to the name of the person or place is such as to be commonly understood, and the Municipal Returning Officer shall permit any such misonmer or inaccurate description or clerical, technical or printing error to be corrected and, where necessary, direct that any such misnomer or inaccurate description or clerical, technical or printing error in the electoral roll or in the nomination paper shall be overlooked.
(5) Where the candidate is an elector of a different constituency of a Municipality, a copy of the electoral roll of that constituency or of the relevant part thereof or a certified copy 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 Municipal Returning Officer at the time of scrutiny.
(6) Nothing in this section 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 Municipal Returning Officer for election in the same constituency.
41. (1) A candidate shall not be deemed to be duly nominated for Deposits. election from a constituency unless he deposits or causes to be deposited a sum of one hundred rupees or, where the candidate is a member of the Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe, a sum of fifty rupees:
Provided that where a candidate has been nominated by more than one nomination paper for election in the same constituency, not more than one deposit shall be required of him under this sub-section.
(2) Any sum required to be deposited under sub-section (1) shall not be deemed to have been deposited under that sub-section unless, at the time of delivery of the nomination paper under sub-section (1), the candidate has either deposited or caused to be deposited that sum with the Municipal Returning Officer in cash or enclosed with the nomination paper a receipt showing that the said sum has been deposited by him or on his behalf in the Reserve Bank of India or in a Government Treasury.
327
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 194.
''[West Ben. Act
(Chapter W.—Conduct of Elections.—Sections 42, 43.) Notice of
nominations
and the time
and place for
their
scrutiny.
Scrutiny of
nomination.
42. The Municipal Returning Officer shall; on receiving the nomination paper under sub-section (I) of section 40, inform the person or persons delivering the same of the date, time and place fixed for the scrutiny of nomination 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 of the nomination containing descriptions similar to those contained in the nomination paper, both of the candidate and of the proposer.
43. (1) On the date fixed for the scrutiny of nomination under section 37, the candidates, their election agents, one proposer of each candidate, and one other person duly authorised in writing by each candidate, but no other person, may attend at such time and place as the Municipal Returning Officer may appoint, and the Municipal Returning. Officer shall give them all reasonable facilities for examining the nomination papers of all candidates which have been delivered within the time and in the manner laid down in section 40.
(2) The Municipal Returning 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 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 to fill the seat under this Act; or
(b) that there has been a failure to comply with any of the provisions of section 40 or section 41; or
(c) that the signature of the candidate or the proposer on the nomination papers is not genuine.
(3) Nothing contained in clause. (b) or clause (c) of sub-section (2) shall be deemed to authorise the rejection of the nomination of any candidate on the ground of any irregularity in respect of a nomina- tion 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 Municipal Returning Officer shall not reject any nomina- tion paper on the ground of any defect which is not of a substantial character.
328
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
XXXIV of 1994.] -
(Chapter VI.—Conduct of Elections.—Section 44.)
(5) The Municipal Returning Officer shall hold the scrutiny on the date appointed in this behalf under clause (b) of section 37 and shall not allow any adjournment of the proceedings except when such proceedings are interrupted or obstructed by riot or open violence or by causes beyond his control:
Provided that in case an objection is raised by the Municipal Returning 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 Municipal Returning Officer shall record his decision on the date to which the proceedings have been adjourned.
(6) The Municipal Returning Officer shall endorse on each nomina- tion paper his decision accepting or rejecting the same and, if the nomination paper is rejected, shall record in writing a brief statement of his reason for such rejection.
(7) For the purposes of this section, a certified copy of an entry in the electoral roll for the time being in force of a Municipality shall be conclusive evidence of the fact that the person referred to in that entry is an elector for that Municipality, unless it is proved that he is subject to a disqualification mentioned in this Act or the rules made thereunder.
(8) Immediately after all the nomination papers have been scrutinised and decisions accepting or rejecting the same have been recorded, the Municipal Returning Officer shall prepare a list of validly nominated candidates, that is to say, candidates whose nominations have been found valid, and affix it to the notice board.
44. (1) Any candidate may withdraw his candidature by a notice in writing which shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed and shall be subscribed by him and delivered before three o,clock in the afternoon on the day fixed under clause (c) of section 37 to the Municipal Returning Officer either by such candicate in person or by his proposer or election agent who has been authorised in this behalf in writing by such candidate.
(2) No person who has given a notice of withdrawal of his candidature under sub-section (1) shall be allowed to cancel the notice.
(3) The Municipal 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-section (1), cause the notice to be affixed in some conspicuous place in his office.
Withdrawal
of
candidature.
329
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994. [West Ben. Act
(Chapter W.—Conduct of Elections.—Sections 45-49.) Allotment of
symbol.
Publication
of list of
contesting
candidates.
45. Immediately after the expiry of the period within which candidates may withdraw their candidature under section 44, the Municipal Returning Officer shall forthwith consider the allotment of symbols in the prescribed manner to the candidates who have not withdrawn their candidature.
46. (1) Immediately after the allotment of symbols under section 45, the Municipal Returning Officer shall prepare and publish in such form and manner as may be prescribed a list of 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 list as aforesaid shall contain the names in alphabetical order and the addresses of the contesting candidates as given in the nomination papers together with such other particulars as may be prescribed. Election 47. A candidate at an election may appoint in the prescribed manner agents. any one person, other than himself, to be his election agent, and when any such appointment is made, notice of the appointment shall be given - in the prescribed manner to the Municipal Returning Officer. Disqualifi-
cation for
being an
election
agent.
Revocation
of appoint-
ment, or
death, of
election
agents.
48. Any person who is for the time being disqualified under this Act for being a member of a Municipality or for voting at elections, shall, so long as the disqualification subsists, also be disqualified for being an election agent at any election.
49. (1) Any revocation of the appointment of an election agent shall be signed by the candidate, and shall operate from the date on which it is lodged with the Municipal Returning Officer.
(2) In the event of the revocation of the appointment of an election agent or death of an election agent, whether such event occurs before or during the election or after the election but before the account of the candidate's election expenses has been lodged in accordance with the provisions of section 73, the candidate may appoint in the prescribed manner another person to be his election agent and when such apointment is made, notice of the appointment shall be given in the prescribed manner to the Municipal Returning Officer.
330
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
XXXIV of 1994.]
(Chapter VI.—Conduct of Elections.—Sections 50-54.)
50. An election agent may perform such functions in connection with the election as are authorised by or under this Act to be performed by an election agent.
51. A contesting candidate or his election agent may appoint in the prescribed manner such number of agents and relief agents as may be prescribed, to act as polling agents of such candidates at each polling station provided under section 12 for the poll.
52. A contesting candidate or his election agent may appoint in the prescribed manner one or more persons, but not exceeding such number as may be prescribed, to be present as his counting agent or agents at the counting of votes, and when any such appointment is made, notice of the appointment shall be given in the prescribed manner to the Municipal Returning Officer.
53. (1) Any revocation of the appointment of a polling agent shall be signed by the candidate or his election agent and shall operate from the date on which it is lodged with such officer as may be prescribed and, in the event of such revocation or the death of a polling agent before the close of the poll, the candidate or his election agent may appoint in the prescribed manner another polling agent at any time before the poll is closed and shall forthwith give notice of such appointment in the prescribed manner to such officer as may be prescribed.
(2) Any revocation of the appointment of a counting agent shall be signed by the candidate or his election agent and shall operate from the date on which it is lodged with the Municipal Returning Officer and, in the event of such revocation or the death of a counting agent before the commencement of the counting of votes, the candidate or his election agent may appoint in the prescribed manner another counting agent at any time before the counting of votes is commenced and shall forthwith give notice of such appointment in the prescribed manner to the Municipal Returning Officer.
Functions of
election
agents.
Appointment
of polling
agents.
Appointment
of counting
agents.
Revocation
of appoint-
ment, or
death, of
polling agent
or counting
agent.
54. (1) A polling agent may perform such functions in connection Functions of polling with the poll as are authorised by or under this Act to be performed by a agents and polling agent. counting
agents.
(2) A counting agent may perform such functions in connection with the counting of votes as are authorised by or under this Act to be performed by a counting agent.
331
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994. [West Ben. Act
Attendance
of contesting
candidate or
his election
agent at
polling
stations and
performance
by him of the
functions of
polling agent
or counting
agent.
Non-
attendance
of polling or
counting
agents.
Death of
candidate
before poll.
Procedure in
contested
and
uncontested
elections.
(Chapter VI.—Conduct of Elections.—Sections 55-58.)
55. (1) At every election where a poll is taken, each contesting candidate at such election and his election agent shall have a right to be present at any polling station provided under section 12 for the taking of the poll.
(2) A contesting candidate or his election agent may himself do any act or thing which any polling agent or the counting agent of such contesting candidate, if appointed, would have been authorised by or under this Act to do, or may assist any polling agent or the counting agent of such contesting candidate in doing any such act or thing.
56. Where any act or thing is required or authorised by or under this Act 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.
57. If a candidate whose nomination has been found valid on scrutiny under section 43 and who has not withdrawn his candidature under section 44 dies and a report of his death is received before the publication of the list of contesting candidates under section 46 or if a contesting candidate dies and a report of his death is received before the commencement of the poll, the Municipal Returning Officer shall, upon being satisfied of the fact of the death of the candidate, countermand the poll aid report the fact to the Commission and also to the appropriate authority; and all proceedings with reference to the election shall be commenced anew in all respects 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 sub-section (1) of section 44 before the countermanding of the poll shall be ineligible for being nominated as a candidate for the election after such countermanding.
58. (1) If the number of contesting candidates is more than the number of seats to be filled, a poll shall be taken.
(2) If the number of such candidates is equal to the number of seats to be filled, the Municipal Returning Officer shall forthwith declare all such candidates to be duly elected to fill those seats.
332
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
XXXIV of 1994.]
West Ben. Act VIII of
1994.
(Chapter VI.—Conduct of Elections.—Section 59.— Chapter VII.—The poll.—Sections 60, 61.)
(3) If the number of such candidates is less than the number of seats to be filled, the Municipal Returning Officer shall forthwith declare all such candidates to be elected and the Commission shall, by notification, call upon the consituency to elect a person or persons to fill the remaining seat or seats:
Provided that where the constituency having already been called upon under this sub-section, has failed to elect a person or the requisite number of persons, as the case may be, to fill the vacancy or vacancies, the Commission shall not be bound to call again upon the constituency to elect a person or persons until it is satisfied that if called upon again, there will be no such failure on the part of the constituency.
59. For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that a member of the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes or a woman shall not be disqualified to hold a seat not reserved for members of the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes or women, if he or she is otherwise qualified to hold such seat under this Act.
CHAPTER VII
The poll
60. The hours during which the poll will be taken shall be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section 8 of the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994.
61. (1) If at an election the proceedings at any polling station provided under section 12 for the poll are interrupted or obstructed by any roit or open violence, or if at any election it is not possible to take the poll at any polling station or such place on account of any natural calamity or any other sufficient cause, the Presiding Officer for such polling station or the Municipal Returning Officer presiding over such place, as the case may be, shall announce an adjournment of the poll to a date to be notified later and where the poll is so adjourned by a Presiding Officer, he shall forthwith inform the Municipal Returning Officer concerned.
(2) Whenever a poll is adjourned under sub-section (1), the Municipal Returning Officer shall immediately report the circumstances to the appropriate authority and the Commission and shall, as soon as may be, with the previous approval of the Commission appoint the day on which the poll shall reconunence, and fix the polling station or place 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.
Eligibility of
members of
Scheduled
Castes or
Scheduled
Tribes or
women to
hold seats
not reserved
for them.
Fixing time
for poll.
Adjourn-
ment of
poll
emergencies.
333
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
[West Ben. Act
(Chapter VII.—The Poll.—Sections 62, 63.) Fresh poll in
the case of
destruction
etc. of ballot
boxes.
Adjournment
of poll or
counter-
manding of
election on
the ground
of booth
capturing.
(3) In every such case as aforesaid, the Municipal Returning Officer shall notify in such manner as the Commission may direct the date, place and hours of polling fixed under sub-section (2).
62. (1) If at any election,—
(a) any ballot box used at a polling station or at a place fixed for the poll is unlawfully taken out of the custody of the Presiding Officer or the Municipal Returning Officer, or is accidentally or intentionally destroyed or lost, or is damaged or tampered with to such extent that the result of the poll at that polling station or place cannot be ascertained, or
(b) any such error or irregularity as is likely to vitiate the poll is committed at a polling station or at a place fixed for the poll,
the Municipal Returning Officer shall forthwith report the matter to the Commission.
(2) Thereupon the Commission shall, after taking all material circumstances into account, either—
(a) 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 the hourse so fixed in such manner as it may deem fit, or
(b) issue such directions to the Municipal Returning Officer as it may deem proper for the further conduct and completion of the election, provided the Commission is 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.
(3) The provisions of this Act and the rules and the orders made thereunder shall apply to every such fresh poll as they apply to the original poll.
63. (1) If at any election—
(a) booth capturing has taken place at a polling station or at a place fixed for the poll in such manner that the result of the poll at that polling station or place cannot be as- certained; or
(b) booth capturing takes place in any place for counting of votes in such manner that the result of the counting at that place cannot be ascertained,
the Municipal Returning Officer shall forthwith report the matter to the Commission.
334
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
XXXIV of 1994.]
(Chapter V11.—The Poll.—Sections 64, 65.)
(2) The Commission shall, on receipt of the report from the Municipal Returning Officer under sub-section (1) and after taking all material circumstances into account, either—
(a) declare that the poll at that polling station or place be void, appoint a day, and fix the hours, for taking 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) countermand the election in that constituency, provided the Commission is satisfied that in view of the large number of polling stations or 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 manner as to affect the result of the election.
Explanation.—In this section, "booth capturing" shall have the 43 of 1951_ same meaning as in section 135A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
43 of 1950.
64. At every election where a poll is taken, votes shall be given by ballot in such manner as may be precribed, and no votes shall be received by proxy.
65. With a view to preventing personation of electors, provision may be made by rules made under this Act—
(a) for the marking with indelible ink of the thumb or any other finger of every elector who applies for a ballot paper or ballot papers for the purpose of voting at a polling station before delivery of such paper or papeis to him;
(b) for the production before the Presiding Officer or a Polling Officer of a polling station by every such elector as aforesaid of his identity card before the delivery of a ballot paper or ballot papers to him if, under the rules made in that behalf under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, electors of the constituency in which the polling station is situated have been supplied with identity cards with or without their respective photographs attached thereto; and
(c) for prohibiting the delivery of any ballot paper to any person for voting at a polling station if, at the time such person applies for such paper, he has already such a mark on his thumb or any other finger or does not produce on demand his identity card before the Presiding Officer or a Polling Officer of the polling station.
Manner of
voting at
elections.
Special
procedure
for
preventing
personation
of electors.
335
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994. [West Ben. Act
(Chapter VIL—The Poll.—Sections 66-68.) Right to
vote.
66. (1) No person who is not, and, except as expressly provided by this Act, every person who is, for the time being entered in the electoral roll of any constituency shall be entitled to vote in that constituency.
(2) No person shall vote at an election in any constituency if he is subject to any of the disqualifications referred to in section 16 of the 43 of 1950. Representation of the People Act, 1950.
(3) No person shall vote at a general election in more than one constituency of the same class, and if a person votes in more than one such constituency, his votes in all such constituencies shall be void.
(4) No person shall at any election vote in the same constituency more than once, notwithstanding that his name may have been registered in the electoral roll for that constituency more than once and if he does so vote, all his votes in that constituency shall be void.
(5) No person shall vote at any election if he 's confined in a prison, whether under a sentence of imprisonment or transportation or otherwise, or is in the lawful custody of the police:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to a person subjected to preventive detention under any law for the time being in force.
Counting of 67. At every election where a poll is taken, votes shall be counted in votes. such manner as may be prescribed, and each contesting candidate, his election agent and his counting agents shall have a right to be present at the time of counting.
Destruction, 68. (1) If at any time before the counting of votes is completed, any loss, etc. of ballot papers used at a polling station or at a place fixed for the poll are ballot
papers. unlawfully taken out of the custody of the Presiding Officer or the Municipal Returning Officer or are accidentally or intentionally destroyed or lost or are damaged or tampered with, to such extent that the result of the poll at that polling station or place cannot be ascertained, the Municipal Returning Officer shall forthwith report the matter to the Commission.
(2) Thereupon, the Commission shall, after taking all materials 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
336
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
XXXIV of 1994.]
(Chapter VII.—The Poll.—Sections 69-72.)
(b) issue such directions to the Municipal 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, provided that the Commission is 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.
(3) The provisions of this Act and the rules and the orders made thereunder shall apply to every such fresh poll as they apply to the original poll.
69. If, after the counting of the votes is completed, an equality of Equality votes is found to exist between any candidates and the addition of one of votes. vote will entitle any of those candidates to be declared elected, the Presiding Officer or the Municipal Returning Officer, as the case may be, shall forthwith decide between those candidates by lot and proceed as if the candidate on whom the lot falls had received an additional vote.
70. When the counting of the votes has been completed, the Presiding Officer or the Municipal Returning Officer, as the case may be, shall, in the absence of any direction by the Commission to the contrary, forthwith declare the result of the election in the manner provided by this Act or the rules made thereunder.
71. As soon as may be after the result of an election has been declared, Report of the Municipal Returning Officer shall report the result to the appropriate the results. authority and the Commission who shall immediately publish the names of elected member In the Official Gazette.
72. (1) Every candidate at an election shall, either by himself or by Account of electn his election agent, keep a separate and correct account of all expenditure expenses and in connection with the election incurred or authorised by him or by his maximum election agent between the date on which he has been nominated and the thereof. date of declaration of the result thereof, both dates inclusive.
Explanation I.—Notwithstanding any judgement, order or decision
of any court to the contrary, any expenditure incurred or authorised in connection with the election of a candidate by a political party or by any other association or body of persons or by any individual other than the candidate or his election agent shall not be deemed to be, and shall not ever be deemed to have been, expenditure in connection with the election incurred or authorised by the candidate or by his election agent for the purpose of this sub-section:
Declaration
of results.
337
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
[West Ben. Act
(Chapter VIL—The Poll.—Section 73.—Chapter regarding election.—Sections 74, 75.) Lodging of
account with
the District
Municipal
Election
Officer.
Provided that nothing contained in this Explanation shall affect any judgement, order or decision of the Civil Court whereby the election of a candidate has been declared void or set aside.
Explanation IL—For the removal of doubt, it is hereby declared that any expenditure incurred in respect of any arrangements made, facilities provided or any other act or thing done by any person in the service of the Government and belonging to any of the classes mentioned in clause (7) of section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 43 of 1951. 1951, in the discharge or purported discharge of his official duty as mentioned in the proviso to that clause shall not be deemed to be expenditure in connection with the election incurred or authorised by a candidate or by his election agent for the purposes of this sub-section.
(2) The account shall contain such particulars as may be notified by the Commission.
(3) The total of the said expenditure shall not exceed such amount as may be notified by the Commission.
73. Every contesting candidate at an election shall, within thirty days from the date of election of the returned candidate or, if there are more than one returned candidate at the election and the dates of their elections are different, the latter of those two dates, lodge with the District Municipal Election Officer on account of his election expenses which shall be a true copy of the account kept by him or by his election agent under secan 72.
CHAPTER VIII
Disputes regarding election
Definition. 74. In this Chapter, "District Judge" shall mean,—
(a) for the purposes of elections to the Calcutta Municipal Corporation constituted under the Calcutta Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, the Chief Judge of the Court of Small Causes of Calcutta, or
(b) for the purposes of elections to the Siliguri Municipal Corporation constituted under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation Act, 1990, the District Judge of Darjeeling or the District Judge of Jalpaiguri as the State Government may, by notification, determine.
75. (1) If the validity of any election of a member is called in question by any person qualified to vote at such election, such person may, at any time within ten days immediately after the date of declaration, of the result of the election, file a petition before the District Judge of the district within which the election has been or should have been held and shall, at the same time, deposit two hundred rupees in the Court as security for the cost likely to be incurred:
Election
petition and
procedure.
West Ben.
Act LIX
of 1980.
West Ben.
Act XXX
of 1990.
338
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
XXXIV of 1994.]
(Chapter VIM—Disputes regarding election.—Sections 76, 77.) Provided that the validity of such election shall not be called in question in any such petition—
(a) on the ground that the name of any person qualified to vote has been omitted from the electoral roll, or
(b) on the ground that the name of any person not qualified to vote has been inserted in the electoral roll:
Provided further that if only two candidates contested such election, the petitioner may, in addition to calling in question the election of the returned candidate, claim that if the election of the returned candidate is set aside, the other candidate may be declared duly elected. 5 of 1908. (2) The provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, shall apply, as far as may be, in the matter of adjudication of an election petition under sub-section (1).
43 of 1951.
West Ben.
Act X of
1952.
76. If the District Judge, after holding such inquiry as he deems fit in respect of an election petition, is satisfied that—
(a) a candidate has committed any corrupt practice within the meaning of section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, or
(b) the result of the election has been materially affected by any act or omission in violation of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, or
(c) the result of the election has been vitiated by any offence punishable under the West Bengal Local Bodies (Electoral Offences and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1952, he shall set aside the election of such candidate, if he has been elected, and may, if the election is set aside for any cause which is the result of any act of a candidate or his agent, declare that candidate to be disqualified for the purpose of a fresh election caused by such setting aside:
Provided that if the District Judge in setting aside the election holds a candidate guilty of any corrupt practice, he may declare such candidate disqualified for contesting an election to a Municipality for a period not exceeding six years.
Explanation.—A person shall be deemed to have committed an offence of corrupt practice if he commits an act relating to a corrupt practice within the meaning of section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
77. (1) If the election petition is confined to the question of validity of votes -cast or counting, the .District Judge shall, after such scrutiny and computation of votes as may be deemed necessary, declare the result.
Setting
aside of
election.
Scrutiny of
votes and
declaration
or confir-
mation of
result.
339
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994. [West Ben. Act
Bar to
jurisdiction
of Court.
Fresh
election
when an
election is
set aside.
Saving of
acts done by
a member
before his
election is
set aside.
Electoral
offences for
the purposes
of the Act.
Protection
of action
taken in
good faith.
Casual
vacancies
in the
Municipality.
(Chapter VIE—Disputes regarding election.—Sections 78-81.— Chapter IX.—Miscellaneous.—Sections 82, 83.)
(2) If there be only two candidates contesting the election in dispute and the election petition contains a claim by one of the candidates for declaring him elected, the District Judge may, while deciding upon the election petition, declare such candidate duly elected.
(3) If after computation, there be an equality of votes among two or more candidates, the District Judge shall select one among them by drawing lots.
(4) If the District Judge is satisfied that no ground exists for setting aside the election or modifying the results thereof, he shall confirm the election.
78. Save as provided in this Act, no Court shall entertain any application in any form whatsoever for adjudication of any matter relating to election to a Municipality.
79. If an election is set aside by the District Judge, a date shall forthwith be fixed and necessary steps shall be taken for holding a fresh election for filling up the vacancy, as though it has been a casual vacancy.
80. Where a candidate, who has been elected to be a member is declared by the District Judge to have not been duly elected, no act done by him by virtue of the office of member before such declaration, shall be invalidated by reason of such declaration.
81. For the purposes of this Act, the electoral offences under Chapter III of the Representation of the People Act, 195.1, shall be the 43 of 1951. electoral offences under this Act, and the provisions of Chapter III of that Act shall apply to the electoral offences under this Act.
CHAPTER IX
Miscellaneous
82. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Commission or any person acting under the direction of the Commission in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this Act or of any order made thereunder or in respect of the tendering of any opinion by the Commission to the Governor or in respect of the publication by, or under the authority of, the Commission of any such opinion, paper or proceedings.
83. (1) When the seat of a member elected to the Municipality becomes vacant or is declared vacant or his election to the Municipality is declared void, the Commission shall, by notification, call upon the constituency concerned to elect a person for the purpose of filling the vacancy so caused before such date as may be specified in the notification,
340
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994. XXXIV of 1994.]
(Chapter 1X.—Miscellaneous.—Sections 84-87.) and the provisions of this Act and the rules and the orders made there- under shall apply, as far as may be, in relation to the election of a member to fill such vacancy.
(2) A member chosen to fill a casual vacancy shall be chosen to serve for the remainder of this predecessor's term of office.
84. It shall be competent for the Commission for reasons which it considers sufficient, to extend the time for the completion of any election by making necessary amendments in the notification issued by it under section 37.
85. (1) The deposit made under section 41 shall either be returned to the person making it or his legal representative or be forfeited to the appropriate authority in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) Except in cases hereinaLer mentioned in this section, the deposit shall be returned as soon as practicable after the result of the election is declared.
(3) If the candidate is not shown in the list of contesting candidates or if he dies before the commencement of the poll, the deposit shall be returned as soon as practicable after the publication of the list or after his death, as the case may be.
(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the deposit shall be forfeited if at an election where a poll has been taken, the 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 by all the candidates or, in the case of election of more than one member at the election, one-sixth of the total number of valid votes so polled divided by the number of members to be elected.
(5) Notwithstanding anything in sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) if at a general election, the candidate is a contesting candidate in more than one constituency, not more than one of the deposits shall be returned, and the other shall be forfeited.
86. Every local authority in the State shall, when so required by the Commission, make available to any Municipal Returning Officer such staff as may be necessary for the performance of any duties in connection with an election.
87. Provisions for requisitioning premises and vehicles and payment of compensation therefor, power to obtain information in this regard, powers of entry into and inspection of premises, eviction from requisitioned premises, release of premises from requisition, delegation of functions of the State Government with regard to requisitioning, and penalty for contravention of any order regarding requisitioning shall be 43 of 1951.
such as are provided in sections 162, 163, 164, 165, 166 and 167 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Extension of
time for
completion
of election.
Return or
forfeiture of
candidate's
deposit.
Staff of
every local
authority
to be made
available for
election
work.
Requisition
and de-
requisition
of premises,
vehicles, etc.
for election
purposes.
341
The West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994. [West Ben. Act XXXIV of 1994.]
(Chapter IX.—Miscellaneous.—Sections 88-90.)
88. (1) The State Government may, after consultation with the Commission, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the duties of Presiding Officer and Polling Officers at polling stations;
(b) the checking of voters by reference to the electoral roll;
(c) the manner in which votes are to be given both generally and in the case of illiterate voters or voters under physical or other disability;
(d) the manner in which votes are to be given by a Presiding Officer, Polling Officer, polling agent or any other person, who being an elector for a constituency is authorised or appointed for duty at a polling station at which he is not entitled to vote;
(e) the procedure to be followed in respect of the tender of vote by a person representing himself to be an elector after another person has voted as such elector;
(f) the manner of giving and recording of votes by means of voting machines and the procedure as to voting to be followed at polling stations where such machines are used;
(g) the scrutiny and counting of votes including cases in which a recount of the votes may be made before the declaration of the result of the election;
(h) the safe custody of ballot boxes, voting machines, ballot papers and other election papers, the period for which such papers shall be preserved and the inspection and production of such papers;
(i) any other matter required to be prescribed by this Act.
89. No Civil Court shall have jurisdiction to question the legality of any action taken or of any decision given by the Municipal Returning Officer or by any other person appointed under this Act in connection with an election.
90. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the State Government, in consultation with the Commission, may, as occasion may require, by order, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, do or cause to be done anything which may be necessary for removing the difficulty.
Power to
make rules.
Jurisdiction
of Civil
Courts
barred.
Removal of
difficulty.
342