Section 25: Further provision relating to evidence and wit nesses

25. Further provision relating to evidence and wit nesses.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force, no document shall be inadmissible in evidence at the trial of an election petition only on the ground that it is not duly stamped or registered. (2) No witness shall be excused from answering any question as to any matter in issue, or relevant to a matter in issue, in the trial of an election petition upon the ground that the answer to such question may incriminate or tend to incriminate him or that it may expose or tend to expose him to any penalty or forfeiture; but no witness shall be required or permitted to state for whom he has voted at an election. (3) A witness who answers truly all questions which he is required to answer shall be entitled to receive a certificate of indemnity from the Tribunal and an answer given by him to a question put by or before the Tribunal shall not, except in the case of any criminal proceeding for perjury in respect of his evidence, be admissible in evidence against him in any civil or criminal proceedings. (4) A certificate of indemnity granted to any witness under sub­section (3) may be pleaded by him in any court and shall be a full and complete defence to or upon any charge under Chapter IXA of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860) or under this Act arising out of the matter to which such certificate relates, but it shall not be deemed to relieve him from any disqualification in connection with an election imposed by any law for the time being in force. (5) The reasonable expenses incurred by any person in attending to give evidence may be allowed to him by the Tribunal and shall, unless the Tribunal otherwise directs, be deemed to be part of the costs.

Effective date: 1976-01-01

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