Section 172: Tampering with papers

172. Tampering with papers.—(1) Except as provided in sub-section (2), a person is guilty of tampering with papers, if he— (a) intentionally defaces or destroys any nomination paper, ballot paper or official mark on a ballot paper; or (b) intentionally takes out of the polling station any ballot paper or puts into any ballot box any ballot paper other than the ballot paper he is authorized by law to put in; or (c) without due authority— (i) supplies any ballot paper to any person; (ii) destroys, takes, opens or otherwise interferes with any ballot box or packet of ballot papers in use for the purpose of election; or (iii) breaks any seal affixed in accordance with the provisions of this Act; or (d) forges any ballot paper or official mark; or (e) causes any delay or interruption in the beginning, conduct or completion of the procedure required to be immediately carried out on the close of the poll. (2) An election official on duty in connection with the election who is guilty of the offence under sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees or with both 1[in addition to such penalty as may be imposed as a result of disciplinary action initiated by the Commission under section 55].

Effective date: 2017-10-02

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